Ballet Exams: A Parent’s Guide to the Process

Ballet exams can feel like a mystery to many parents, but they play a crucial role in a dancer’s training. These structured evaluations give students a chance to showcase their hard work, receive professional feedback, and move forward in their ballet journey.

Unlike regular classes, ballet exams are carefully designed to assess technical skills, artistry, and musicality. Understanding the process can help you support and encourage your child as they prepare for this important milestone.

Why Are Ballet Exams Important?

Ballet exams do more than just determine level placement—they build confidence, discipline, and a professional mindset. They:
✅ Give dancers a clear goal to work toward.
✅ Provide objective feedback from trained examiners.
✅ Ensure students are progressing safely and appropriately.
✅ Help develop poise under pressure—a skill that carries into performances and auditions.

How the Exam Class is Structured

Each exam follows a set syllabus that outlines the movements and combinations students should master at their level. The exam is designed to showcase the most advanced version of each step the students have learned. If a class has not covered certain material, the examiner is informed, and only mastered steps are evaluated.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what is expected at each level:

Level 1B Work performed for the Department Director or School Principal. No formal grades.
Level 2A First formal exam with memorized combinations, securely stretched knees and foot shaping.
Level 2B Barre with one hand, more complex combinations, secure 5th position transitions.
Level 3A Full advanced barre, adage, pirouettes, petite allegro.
Level 3B Barre at 90 degrees, center work on relevé, medium allegro, pointe, entrechat quatre, and royales. Strong placement through the skeleton.
Level 4A Grand allegro, pointe in center, two-legged battu jumps, arm and head awareness.
Level 4B Grand pirouettes, advanced grand allegro, one-legged battu jumps, arm and head profiency.
Conservatory 1 Complex jump-turn coordination, advanced pointe work, mastery of key professional coordinations including arms/heads.
Conservatory 2 The entire exam is performed on pointe with competency, complex battu jumps and grand turns.

Conservatory 3 Full mastery of all elements en pointe, ready for finishing school or Trainee level contract.

How Students Are Graded

Examiners follow a numbered grading system to ensure fair and consistent evaluations.

For Levels 1B–2A, students receive one of three marks:

• B (Beginning): The student has basic understanding but lacks execution.

• D (Developing): The student understands the movement but needs refinement.

• S (Secure): The student performs the movement with confidence and correct technique.

For Level 2B and beyond, students are graded on a 10-point scale:

Grading Rubric
0 Absent or did not perform.
1-3 Major struggles (usually due to injury or extreme difficulty)
4 Major flaws in execution
5 Some flaws, but correctable with teacher guidance
6 Good execution with ability to self-correct
7 Strong execution, only "picky" corrections needed
8 High-level performance, worthy of being used as an example of a correct movement
9 Surpassed expectations with excellent technique and artistry equal to dancers in a similar Company related school
10Exceptional performance—truly outstanding and above average on a national scale.

How Scores Translate to Results

Final Score Result
0-49 In Progress – More improvement needed before advancing
50-64 Pass – Basic competence demonstrated
65-84 Pass with Merit – Strong technique and musicality
85-100 Pass with Distinction – Secure, precise technique and expressive artistry.

What Happens After the Exam?

✅ If a Student Passes

• They advance to the next level (at times conditionally with summer training if certain elements are weak).

• They receive a report card with scores and feedback.

• Teachers highlight areas for continued growth to ensure steady improvement.

❌ If a Student Does Not Pass (In Progress)

• They repeat the level to solidify technique.

• Teachers create a customized plan to help them improve, which often calls for private lessons to focus on growth.

• Summer training is strongly recommended to strengthen skills before the next year.

Example:
A Level 3B student struggles with their 90-degree extensions at barre and pointe work in center. They score a 53 (Pass) but are advised to strengthen their ankles over the summer before moving up.

A Conservatory 1 student attempting complex jump-turn coordination scores a 48 (In Progress) due to lack of control and stamina. This student must repeat Conservatory 1 to build the necessary strength. Moving up would be dangerous, and progression is carefully monitored.

How Parents Can Support Their Dancer

1️⃣ Encourage Regular Practice – Even a few minutes a day builds confidence! Releves during TV watching or stretching while reading a book are good ideas.
2️⃣ Focus on Attendance – Attend class. Class attendance is crucial to progression.
3️⃣ Celebrate Achievements – Whether they pass with distinction or repeat a level, acknowledge their dedication, validate the feelings they have, but push them to trust their teachers.
4️⃣ Help Students Apply Feedback – Reviewing examiner comments helps dancers refine technique. Ask questions if you don’t understand something.

Ballet exams aren’t just about passing or failing—they are a valuable learning experience that helps students grow. Whether your child moves up, repeats a level, or earns distinctions, every exam is a step forward in their dance journey. By understanding the process, you can help them succeed and thrive!