Ballet examinations for adults
taught live on Zoom, available internationally
Working towards ballet examinations provides a goal that many of our dancers thoroughly enjoy working towards. Taking ballet examinations as an adult enhances your dance class experience, rewarding all of your hard work and boosting your confidence. It also provides the opportunity for feedback from a fully qualified ballet examiner.
Ballet examinations are optional for all our dancers – if you don't want to take an exam, then you certainly don't have to! However, if you feel that this is something that you would value doing, then we are there to fully support you.
At the Janet Lomas School of Dancing, we work hard to provide opportunities for our students that are the same as they would experience at a face-to-face ballet school. We firmly believe that dancers should not be limited by geographical location or the options available locally to them.
Ballet examinations are optional for all our dancers – if you don't want to take an exam, then you certainly don't have to! However, if you feel that this is something that you would value doing, then we are there to fully support you.
At the Janet Lomas School of Dancing, we work hard to provide opportunities for our students that are the same as they would experience at a face-to-face ballet school. We firmly believe that dancers should not be limited by geographical location or the options available locally to them.
Who can take ballet exams?
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At our school, ballet examinations can be taken by any dancer of any age – our oldest exam candidate so far is aged 79! We offer examinations to our children's school, adult ballet dancers, Silver Swans® and Seated Swans.
Our ballet examinations can be taken by dancers from anywhere in the world, all taught via our live online classes. Will it affect my weekly group adult ballet class if I take an exam or not?
Whether you decide that you'd love to work towards an exam, or recoil in horror at the thought of taking an exam, it doesn't affect your group class in any way. Your group classes will continue to run completely as normal. Examinations work as an optional 'add on'.
If you choose to take an exam, then you will begin by selecting a piece of choreography you have learnt in your group classes. You will then be invited for an online mock examination separate from your group class time. Your solo exam time will also be at a completely separate time and date from your group classes, too. All exam entrants also have the option of additional private classes to boost confidence and preparation for the examination. However, to take an exam, the dancer has to also be prepared to put in extra practice in their own time to secure their learning so that they can take the exam with confidence. |
“Nerve-wracking? Yes. Exhilarating? Absolutely. For a ballet dancer the goal is to perform, so taking this exam gave me the opportunity to perform a wonderfully choreographed piece. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me recognise my achievements and celebrate how far I’ve come. And when it’s over? Relief, pride, satisfaction and happy I did it!” |
Our adult ballet dancers can take ballet examinations via three options:
Pathway 1: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
Performance Awards
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The ISTD Performance Awards are our most popular, inclusive qualification, designed to recognise confidence, musicality, and performance skills. These awards offer a fresh and flexible approach - without the pressure of set choreography or syllabus requirements.
Performance Awards are flexible examinations designed to support every dance learner in developing their performance skills. Offered across six progressive stages, they encourage dancers to grow in confidence and artistry, with each level building on the last to refine expressive and interpretive abilities. The examinations celebrate individuality and creativity in dance, tailoring the experience to suit personal learning journeys, helping to deepen a student's engagement with dance. |
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How is the exam choreography learnt and prepared?
The exam solo is taken from choreography that has been taught in our live group adult ballet classes. For those who opt to take an examination, in advance of your examination, you will be fully prepared with a compulsory mock examination and we also provide the option of additional private classes to boost confidence and preparation for the examination. The dancer has to also be prepared to put in extra practice in their own time to secure their learning so that they can take the exam with confidence.
Examination options:
Remote examination
You are given a set exam time where we record your solo dance via Zoom. This examination has to run formally and in line with the ISTD's quality assurance guidelines. This recording is then submitted as a video examination to the ISTD headquarters and is marked by a qualified ISTD examiner.
Results:
Exam entrants receive a report with number mark, grade bracket (Unsuccessful, Pass, Merit, Distinction), written feedback from the examiner, certificate and badge
The exam solo is taken from choreography that has been taught in our live group adult ballet classes. For those who opt to take an examination, in advance of your examination, you will be fully prepared with a compulsory mock examination and we also provide the option of additional private classes to boost confidence and preparation for the examination. The dancer has to also be prepared to put in extra practice in their own time to secure their learning so that they can take the exam with confidence.
Examination options:
Remote examination
You are given a set exam time where we record your solo dance via Zoom. This examination has to run formally and in line with the ISTD's quality assurance guidelines. This recording is then submitted as a video examination to the ISTD headquarters and is marked by a qualified ISTD examiner.
Results:
Exam entrants receive a report with number mark, grade bracket (Unsuccessful, Pass, Merit, Distinction), written feedback from the examiner, certificate and badge
Pathway 2: JR Classical Examinations
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JR Classical is a leading curriculum and training provider for those wanting to enhance their technique and knowledge of ballet. JR Classical level exams are the perfect way to boost confidence and gain experience of examinations. It is a structured, holistic syllabus, and designed with safe dance practice in mind.
JR Classical examinations progressively build in terms of knowledge and difficulty. This also ensures that steps and techniques learnt at a lower level are carried through and act as a preparation for more complex movements and combinations of steps in later years. |
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How is the exam choreography learnt and prepared?
The exam work is taught in private ballet classes only. Before the exam, the dancer will complete a compulsory mock examination. The dancer has to also be prepared to put in extra practice in their own time to secure their learning so that they can take the exam with confidence.
Examination options:
1. In-person examination
Travel to an examination centre. The examination will take place live in front of a qualified JR Classical examiner.
2. Remote examination
Hire a local hall/gym space to record and submit a recorded video examination for the video to be marked by a qualified JR Classical examiner.
3. Zoom live examination
The examination will take place in front of a qualified JR Classical examiner, live on Zoom.
Results:
Students receive a number mark (out of 100), a personal written report and a certificate
The exam work is taught in private ballet classes only. Before the exam, the dancer will complete a compulsory mock examination. The dancer has to also be prepared to put in extra practice in their own time to secure their learning so that they can take the exam with confidence.
Examination options:
1. In-person examination
Travel to an examination centre. The examination will take place live in front of a qualified JR Classical examiner.
2. Remote examination
Hire a local hall/gym space to record and submit a recorded video examination for the video to be marked by a qualified JR Classical examiner.
3. Zoom live examination
The examination will take place in front of a qualified JR Classical examiner, live on Zoom.
Results:
Students receive a number mark (out of 100), a personal written report and a certificate
Pathway 3: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
Graded and Vocational examinations
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Examinations can be taken through the internationally-recognised examination board, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) in Imperial Classical Ballet. These examinations are for the serious, committed ballet student only and are a necessary part of the training for those who wish to become qualified ballet teachers in the future.
All Graded and Vocational graded examinations receive credits and are recognised on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). For certain graded and vocational examinations, students can receive UCAS points. The number of UCAS points received directly correlates to the standard achieved in the examination (i.e. pass, merit, distinction). |
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ISTD examinations progressively build in terms of knowledge and difficulty. This also ensures that steps and techniques learnt at a lower level are carried through and act as a preparation for more complex movements and combinations of steps in later years.
How is the exam choreography learnt and prepared?
The exam work is taught in private ballet classes only. Before the exam, the dancer will complete a compulsory mock examination. The dancer has to also be prepared to put in extra practice in their own time to secure their learning so that they can take the exam with confidence.
Examination options:
1. In-person examination
Travel to an examination centre. The examination will take place live in front of a qualified ISTD examiner.
2. Remote examination
Hire a local hall/gym space to record and submit a recorded video examination to the ISTD headquarters for the video to be marked by a qualified ISTD examiner.
Results:
Students receive a number mark (out of 100) and certificate, but no written feedback
The exam work is taught in private ballet classes only. Before the exam, the dancer will complete a compulsory mock examination. The dancer has to also be prepared to put in extra practice in their own time to secure their learning so that they can take the exam with confidence.
Examination options:
1. In-person examination
Travel to an examination centre. The examination will take place live in front of a qualified ISTD examiner.
2. Remote examination
Hire a local hall/gym space to record and submit a recorded video examination to the ISTD headquarters for the video to be marked by a qualified ISTD examiner.
Results:
Students receive a number mark (out of 100) and certificate, but no written feedback
Want to know more?
This exam was an amazing challenge and fun, too. It was lovely to look in detail at a piece of beautiful choreography.
I felt it made me closer to the group even though we are dancing separately in our own homes. I look forward to doing more.
I hate exams but this was different. There was no pressure from anyone only lots of support and encouragement and Johanna with her calm instructions and advice made the whole process enjoyable and doable.
Thank you Johanna and your team at Janet Lomas School for making this possible. I would definitely recommend this as you will be buzzing with a true sense of achievement. I can personally say that at almost 70.
It is a wonderful feeling and opportunity to be encouraged to challenge myself... and be supported through the process.
- Denise
Examination FAQs
How do I know which pathway option is best?
Our teachers will recommend which pathway is best for you. Some of our students study multiple pathways in order to receive the benefits of all syllabus options.
When do I know if I'm ready to take an exam?
Please speak with your ballet teacher and discuss with them about your readiness for an examination.
Can anyone take examinations?
Yes, if it's your goal to take a ballet exam, then we will fully support you in achieving your goal.
Our teachers will recommend which pathway is best for you. Some of our students study multiple pathways in order to receive the benefits of all syllabus options.
When do I know if I'm ready to take an exam?
Please speak with your ballet teacher and discuss with them about your readiness for an examination.
Can anyone take examinations?
Yes, if it's your goal to take a ballet exam, then we will fully support you in achieving your goal.
Want to know more?
Janet Lomas School of Dancing
Est. 1978
Est. 1978
Online international ballet training to the highest standard.
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