THE INFORMATION ABOUT EXAMS AT STEPRIGHT ALL IN ONE PLACE

At Stepright Studios we believe that having a goal during this time keeps students motivated, on track and gives them the opportunity to look forward to something. Having defined and achievable goals is a proven way to motivate dancers to excel.

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER EXAMINATIONS FOR YOUR CHILD?  

WHAT IS ATOD?

The Australian Teachers of Dancing (A.T.O.D.) is a highly reputable dance organization with members worldwide providing dance examinations in dance genres of Classical Ballet, Contemporay, Tap, Jazz and Hiphop. Stepright studios and our teachers have been associated with ATOD since 1984 and have experienced first hand the wonderful reputation ATOD exams has for being an exciting and rewarding experience for students.

WHAT IS ACROBATICARTS

Acrobatic Arts is a global organisation that originated in Canada in 2012 offering a comprehensive training program to safely teach AcroDance and AerialArts in over 40 countries. Students work through twelve exam levels of AcroDance, each designed to create a well balanced acrobat, including elements of flexibility, strength, balance, limbering and tumbling.

BENEFITS 

CONFIDENCE BUILDING

We find that children who participate in examinations each year gain confidence and learn important life skills such as learning to concentrate in an examination environment which assists with their school examinations and other similar situations.  Participating in examinations also gives them a goal to work towards and an opportunity to receive an independent assessment of how they are progressing technically.  Ultimately, the higher levels can lead to examinations for Teaching Diplomas.

STRUCTURED PROGRESSIONS

Exams provide a structured framework for students to progress through different levels of dance proficiency. Each exam level typically builds upon the skills learned in the previous level, ensuring a gradual and comprehensive development of technique

FEEDBACK AND EVALUATION

Exams provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback and evaluation from qualified examiners, that are experienced dance professionals. This feedback can help students identify their strengths and areas for improvement, guiding their continued learning and development.

STANDARDISED

Our Dance exams are standardized by reputable dance organizations or examination boards, ensuring consistency in the evaluation process across different studios and regions. This helps maintain high standards of dance education and performance quality.

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE QUALITY

The preparation for dance exams involves practicing and refining choreography, technique, and performance skills. This process helps students become more polished and confident performers, which can benefit them in both dance and other areas of life.

COMMUNITY AND CAMARADERIE

Exams involve group rehearsals, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among students as they work together towards a common goal. This sense of belonging can enhance the overall dance experience and encourage students to continue their dance education.

We would like to encourage you to allow your child to join the growing number of students who learn, perform and excel within the A.T.O.D. and AcrobaticArts systems of training.

1. At Stepright Studios Exams, although highly recommended for all students, are not compulsory.

2. As the student's Parent/Guardian firstly you will advise us at Stepright Studios of your interest to partake in this year's exams by completing the exam nomination form locate HERE or by pressing the Button below

3. How will I know that my child is ready to partake in exams? All students are already learning a particular level in the their weekly classes and our teaching team do not expect that you will know the specific level that they are learning. Class teachers and Studio Principal (Miss Janine) will observe your child's progress in class and advise if any amendments to exam nomination are needed.

4. 6 weeks prior to scheduled exam date Invoices will be issued that are payable within 7 days. Please note that non payment by the followed up due date will result in the exam application not being submitted for that student with the studio's submission to the association and therefore not eligible for that exam this year.

5. Mock exams (which are pretend exams) are held to help students feel comfortable with the exam process and allow time to refine any elements that Miss Janine deems necessary

6. Exam timetable is released (approx 3-4 weeks prior to exam date)

7. Exam day a) students and parents arrive dressed and ready with hair done but without dance shoes on yet (these are put on once you arrive at the studio) prior to arrival time provided. Parents and students arrive via the back door (John Lane entrance) so not to disturb any exams in session.

8. Exam day b) Teachers will run students, in their groups, quietly thru exercises and dances as necessary prior to entering the Exam Room (Studio A). Parents can either wait quietly in the kitchen area for the duration of warm up and exam or can return at the scheduled exam completion time. Please note students can not be adequately supervised beyond the exam completion time and as such must be collected by a Parent/Guardian.

9. Exam day c) Students enter the examination room in a relaxed yet disciplined manner in groups of up to 8 students. For ATOD exams the examiner will be sitting at the front of the room at a table with her laptop and paperwork as required. She will greet the students and go through each student's name for the exam. In the junior grades, exercises are seen altogether as a group or line by line and Test 1-Test2 the teacher is able to present in front of students to follow along. Only dances are performed without the teacher in these early age group and are seen in pairs.  Only the teacher or Miss Janine will enter the exam room with students however in all grades Test 3 and above the teacher is behind a room partition and can not see the students and is only in the room to play music. For Acrobatic Arts exams the examiner will be zoomed into exam room via a computer screen and the teacher will be in the room ensuring the equipment needed is set and moving the screen as required for the examiner.

10. Exam day d) THEORY. For all Ballet and Tap exams Bronze Medal and above Theory is learnt prior to the exam and oral questions are asked by the examiner to ascertain understanding. All students are required to have their own theory book to present the examiner for signing on the exam day (siblings may share a book). You can purchase your Theory book HERE. Any books not remembered to bring on exam day will require another book to be purchased on the day to be presented to the examiner.

11. Exam day e) Upon completion of the exam students may leave site if no further exams are scheduled for them for the day

12. Results take approximately 4-6 weeks to be returned to the studio.

13. On passing the examination, students receive an examination report/certificate providing feedback with relative scores and a medal. 

Each association has different marking criteria. The marking criteria use by ATOD is as follows:

Pass or Unsuccessful Result applies to the following exams.

● Test 1-2-3 in Classical Ballet, Jazz & Tap

● Level 1, 2 & 3 Hip Hop

● Primary Cross National Character

● Entr’acte, Level 1 & 2 Musical Theatre

All Contemporary exams are graded results.

The percentages are set out below.

UNSUCCESSFUL 40% or less

PASS 41% - 50%

PASS PLUS 51% - 55%

CREDIT 56% - 60%

CREDIT PLUS 61% - 65%

COMMENDED 66% - 70%

COMMENDED PLUS 71% - 75%

HIGHLY COMMENDED 76% - 80%

HIGHLY COMMENDED PLUS 81% - 85%

HONOURS 86% - 90%

HONOURS PLUS 91% - 95%

HONOURS WITH DISTINCTION 96% - 100%

The method of assessment for all components of examinations are as follows:

● Highly Skilled

● Competent

● Satisfactory

● Needs Improvement

Certificates and critique cards will be provided for all attendees and all Passing students will receive an ATOD genre specific medal.

Acrobatic Arts marking scale is as follows:

'Incomplete',

'Fair',

'Good',

‘Excellent’.

There are 28 required skills in each level, along with an exam etiquette category and grooming category making a total of 30 skills / categories. Each skill / category is marked out of 5 points:

Incomplete 0

Fair 1-3

Good 4

Excellent 5

The accumulation of all points determines the grade. The exam will be graded as 'Retry', 'Pass', 'Commended', ‘Highly Commended', 'Excellent' or ‘Distinction'.

Retry 0-75

Pass 75-96

Commended 97-107

Highly Commended 108-118

Excellent 119-129

Distinction 130-150

Successful students will receive a certificate to commemorate their achievement. Students who receive the grade ‘Distinction' will also receive a custom Acrobatic Arts medal. All students will receive a report card complementing areas of excellence and suggesting areas for improvement.

WHEN

ATOD Exams will be conducted Wednesday 25th & Thursday 26th June 2025 (during the last week of term 2) . Once we know which day is allocated to which genre/level you will be able to find the details on the Timetables page.

LOCATION

Our ATOD (Australian Teachers of Dancing ) Exams will be held on site at our studio (4/11-17 Cairns St Loganholme). These exams are IN PERSON exams and Mrs Elizabeth Barritt has been allocated as out ATOD examiner for 2025.

UNIFORM

All students are required to wear full Stepright Studios uniform to partake in their exam as well as the correct footwear. The uniform requirement is different depending on the genre and level of the exam so please read carefully.

Uniforms and shoes are available from our onsite dance store Danza Sorella

Make sure you don't leave any uniform purchases until the last minute as our uniform does sell out fast!

View the Uniform list HERE

To assist students with their exam preparation, we will be holding a mock exam over the weekend of 7th & 8th June 2025. Mock exams will be a good opportunity for students to encounter the 'feel' of the process, provide guideance in their preparation and to reduce any stresses on the actual day. Mock exams are included in the cost of each exam and times will be released HERE closer to the date.

Although our mock dance exams are alot less formal than the real thing we recommend Students attend our mock exams to aide in their preparation and reduce nerves. Students should dress in appropriate dance wear for the mock exam. Please note students are able to wear their actual EXAM Uniform as noted above however at the very least the attire should be as follows if you do not have their Exam uniform yet:

Ballet - Leotard, skirt, stockings, ballet shoes, hair tidy in a bun.

Jazz / Tap - Leotard, bike shorts, stockings, genre shoes, hair tidy in a bun

Contemporary - Leotard, long leggings, no shoes, hair tidy in pony tail

Hiphop - Tshirt, shorts, flat soled shoes, hair tidy in pony tail

Please also make sure shoes and uniforms are clean and looking presentable.

Exam timetables will be released once approved by the respective association. We will not know which day or time until they are released. If you do have any specific requests please email Miss Janine at [email protected] at least 6 weeks prior to the exam date.

Exam Timetables can be found here: Exam Timetable

If you aren't already, please make sure you are on Band App. Teachers will be posting class updates and videos of routines along with the music for your dancer to practice in the lead up to Mid-Year. Reach out if you need any assistance with joining your dancers classes on Band.

A deposit of $25 per exam is payable to nominate for your student to partake in their exams. The balance will be invoiced separately based on the Genre and Level of the exam entered into. Jump to the Fees page to see the rates per exam.

Payment will be due 6 weeks prior to the exam and will be billed separately. Any exam fees still outstanding at the time of entries being submitted to the association will result in the student being ineligible to partake in the respective exam.

ATOD Championships are held in each state with the top 4 qualifying for National Championships. ATOD now commits in excess of $60,000 per annum in Prize money to support students to further their dance studios and development. Check out if YOU have qualified HERE