Complete Graded Qualifications Alliance Performing Arts Graded Examination Dance & Performing Arts specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Specification Topics
- Vocational Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Intermediate
- Dance Teaching Assistant
- Dance Teaching
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 3
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 1
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 8
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 5
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 1
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 3
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet: Grade 8
- Vocational Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet Advanced Foundation
- Vocational Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet Advanced 1
- Vocational Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet Advanced 2
- Vocational Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet Professional Development
- Vocational Graded Examination in Russian Classical Ballet Intermediate
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 1
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 5
- Dance Teaching and Management
- Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 5
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 8
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 1
- Vocational Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Advanced 1
- Vocational Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Advanced 2
- Vocational Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Advanced Foundation
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 3
- Professional Development in Classical Ballet
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 5
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 8
- Vocational Graded Examination in Flamenco Dance: Intermediate
- Professional Development in Flamenco Dance
- Vocational Graded Examination in Flamenco Dance: Advanced Foundation
- Vocational Graded Examination in Flamenco Dance: Advanced 2
- Vocational Graded Examination in Flamenco Dance: Advanced 1
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Contemporary Dance: Grade 3
- Vocational Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Advanced Foundation
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 6
- Professional Development in Spanish Dance
- Vocational Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Advanced 1
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 4
- Vocational Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Intermediate
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 3
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 8
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 1
- Vocational Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Intermediate
- Vocational Graded Examination in Spanish Dance: Advanced 2
- Vocational Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Advanced 2
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Classical Ballet: Grade 5
- Vocational Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Advanced Foundation
- Professional Development in Modern Jazz Dance
- Vocational Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Advanced 1
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 8
- Vocational Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Advanced Foundation
- Vocational Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Advanced 2
- Vocational Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Intermediate
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 1
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 5
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 7
- Vocational Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Advanced 1
- Professional Development in Tap Dance
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 3
- Graded Examination in Greek Dance: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 8
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 3
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 1
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 5
- Graded Examination in Lyrical Dance: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 1
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 8
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 5
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 3
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Modern Jazz Dance: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 7
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 5
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 1
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 8
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 4
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 2
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 6
- Graded Examination in Tap Dance: Grade 3
Top Exam Board Tips
- Focus on clean lines and correct placement.
- Practice with varied music to improve musicality.
- Develop a strong stage presence through rehearsal.
- In your observed teaching practice, clearly articulate your intentions before each activity and reflect on your choices afterwards to demonstrate conscious pedagogical reasoning.
- Prepare a detailed lesson plan with intended learning outcomes, risk assessments, and differentiation strategies, as evidence of effective planning and management.
- Seek regular feedback from your supervisor and document how you have responded to it, showing development in your role.
- Provide a reflective journal that explicitly maps your teaching actions to theoretical concepts, using specific terminology.
- In teaching observations, show adaptability by preparing multiple versions of exercises to cater to mixed abilities, and be seen adjusting in the moment.
- Use a variety of communication methods: verbal cues, imagery, tactile feedback (where appropriate), and musicality to enhance understanding.
- Document your planning thoroughly, including risk assessments and differentiation strategies, to demonstrate comprehensive management of the learning process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of alignment or turnout in technique.
- Poor musical timing or phrasing.
- Inconsistent performance quality or lack of expression.
- Overlooking the importance of non-verbal communication such as demonstration and physical positioning in dance instruction.
- Failing to adequately prepare for learner needs, resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach that does not cater to varying abilities.
- Assuming that managing learner behaviour is solely the responsibility of the lead teacher, rather than proactively maintaining a positive learning atmosphere.
- Not connecting theoretical knowledge to practical application, presenting theory as abstract concepts rather than integrated tools.
- Over-reliance on verbal instruction without demonstrating movements, leading to confusion among kinesthetic learners.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- Apply and demonstrate through performance a sound and established knowledge and understanding of the fundamental and relevant technique and vocabulary of Classical Ballet, Perform a range of complex movement sequences showing sound and secure technical skills in Classical Ballet, Perform a range of complex movement sequences showing an understanding of musicality in Classical Ballet, Apply and demonstrate a range of performance skills with assurance in Classical Ballet
- Be able to communicate appropriately with learners and supervisors, Be able to demonstrate effective teaching practice within a supervised, controlled and predictable environment, Be able to manage the learning process effectively within a supervised, controlled and predictable environment, Be able to relate underpinning theoretical and practical knowledge to teaching and learning practice
- Be able to communicate appropriately with learners, Be able to demonstrate effective teaching practice within complex situations in a variety of contexts and settings, Be able to manage the learning process effectively within complex situations in a variety of contexts and settings., Be able to relate underpinning theoretical and practical knowledge to teaching and learning practice
- At Grade 4, candidates demonstrate a more secure knowledge of the vocabulary and technical skills through performance of a more complex repertoire. They show a developing understanding of a range of rhythmical sounds or stimulus, accents and timings and an understanding of interpretation and use of expression
- At Grade 3 candidates demonstrate an increasing knowledge of the vocabulary and technical skills for their chosen genre. They show a more consistent sense of timing and rhythm and responsiveness to music or stimulus through the performance of a developingrepertoire of movements.
- At Grade 2 candidates demonstrate a developing knowledge of the basic vocabulary and technical skills through the performance of basic repertoire showing timing and rhythm and responsiveness to music or stimulus.
- At Grade 1 candidates demonstrate the fundamental basic knowledge of the vocabulary and technical skills for their chosen genre. They are able to perform a simple repertoire with a sense of timing and rhythm and respond to music or stimulus.
- At Grade 8 candidates demonstrate a consolidated knowledge of the vocabulary, technical skills and performance of complex repertoire in their chosen genre. They show a consolidated understanding of a range of complex rhythmical sounds or stimulus, accents and timings, a confident, sensitive and varied interpretation and a developing and an assured personal sense of style and confidence in performance.
- At Grade 7 candidates demonstrate detailed and thorough knowledge of the vocabulary, technical skills and performance of complex repertoire in their chosen genre. They show a secure understanding of a range of complex rhythmical sounds or stimulus, accents and timings, a confident and sensitive interpretation and a developing and increasingly assured personal sense of style and confidence in performance.
- At Grade 4, candidates demonstrate a knowledge of the vocabulary and technical skills through performance of a more complex repertoire. They show an increasing understanding of a range of rhythmical sounds, accents and timings and an understanding of musical interpretation and use of expression
- At Grade 5 candidates demonstrate technical skills and knowledge of the vocabulary through performance of a increasingly complex repertoire. They show a developing understanding of an increasing range of musical sounds, accents and timings, an understanding of musical interpretation and a secure use of expression.
- At Grade 7 candidates demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary, technical skills and performance qualities demanded by increasingly complex repertoire in their chosen genre. Through this repertoire, they are able to show understanding of a range of complex rhythmical sounds, accents and timings, an advanced sense of musical interpretation and a developing and increasingly assured personal sense of style and confidence in performance.
- At Grade 1 candidates demonstrate the fundamental basic knowledge of the vocabulary and technical skills for their chosen genre. They are able to perform a simple repertoire with a sense of timing and rhythm expression and presentation and respond to music.
- At Grade 3 candidates demonstrate a developing knowledge of the basic vocabulary and technical skills for their chosen genre. They show a sense of timing and rhythm expression and presentation and responsiveness to music through the performance of a developing repertoire of movements.
- At Grade 6 candidates demonstrate secure and confident knowledge of the vocabulary, technical skills and performance qualities demanded by complex repertoire in their chosen genre. They show a clear understanding of a range of musical sounds, accents and timings, demonstrate musical interpretation, and evidence the ability to communicate and express themselves through performance.