Examinations

Why Are Dance Examinations Important?

ADAPT examinations inspire every student to work harder and strive for their personal best potential — and, through consistent ADAPT training, to carry that potential throughout their dance journey.

Quality Training

Exams ensure dancers receive strong technical foundations, balanced with healthy competitive values and enhanced performance abilities.

History & Culture

Through ADAPT training, students also gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of each dance genre. This knowledge connects dancers to the roots of the art form, teaching respect for where the styles come from while shaping how they grow as artists.

Goal Setting

Exams serve as milestones, giving students yearly opportunities to be evaluated and encouraged by professional dance examiners — a process that is both motivating and memorable.

Recognition & Achievement

Successful candidates receive graded certificates, and exceptional dancers may also be honored with the prestigious Medal of Merit Award. Marks are not handed out but earned, ensuring every result is fair, honest, and a true reflection of each dancer’s work and dedication. In addition, dancers can earn external high school credits and access scholarship opportunities to further support their training and open doors for future career pathways.

Beyond the Studio

Examinations build confidence, resilience, and integrity while instilling a lasting appreciation for the traditions and culture of dance — values that stay with dancers for life.

Request An Examination

ADAPT examinations are open to all students enrolled in ADAPT examination schools. Teachers who are ADAPT Certified and wish to enter their students into the examination process must apply for an official examination date. Any teacher choosing to teach the ADAPT Syllabus is responsible for attending ADAPT teacher training courses, staying current with syllabus revisions, and consistently upholding the high standards of ADAPT.

All examination results are final and determined by both examiners. At ADAPT, we take great pride in fair and honest evaluations. Not every student will receive the mark they hope for, and that is part of the learning process. It is the responsibility of our community—including studio directors, in-studio mentors, and the ADAPT team—to guide students and educate parents on the value of the examination process: marks are earned, not given.

Studio Qualification – Examination Plaque

To qualify for and order an official ADAPT Examination Plaque, recognizing the studio as an ADAPT Examination Studio, the following requirement must be met:

• The studio must successfully enter students into the ADAPT examination process for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years.
• All officially recognized ADAPT Examination Studios are listed under the Locations section on the ADAPT website.

Syllabus Formats & Revisions

The ADAPT syllabus is available in two formats: PDF or through the online subscription platform. As outlined previously, the syllabus is continually updated and expanded to reflect the evolving needs of teachers and students.

We believe it is essential for both teachers and students—whether preparing for examinations or using the syllabus in regular classroom instruction—to remain current, engaged, and committed to continuous growth. These ongoing revisions are designed to keep our community sharp, curious, and inspired, while fostering the development of strong, knowledgeable educators and accomplished artists for the future.

It is highly recommended that all ADAPT teachers participate in at least one Teacher Revision Course every two years. This ensures teachers remain fully up to date with syllabus material, as well as any updates or expansions provided through the online subscription.

Note: The ADAPT syllabus is copyright protected and may not be reproduced.

Examination Attire

Tap & Jazz Examinations

Female and male candidates must wear proper dance attire in accordance with their studio’s dress code. Attire should reflect the studio’s integrity and professional standards.

Hair & Grooming

Hair must be pulled back from the face, kept clean, neat, and tidy.

Cancellations

If a confirmed exam date is cancelled less than 21 days before the start date, the $350.00 deposit per exam day is non-refundable.

• IF Studios are a Signature Member (Level 2 and or 3):
  • Different fee structures apply, as membership includes additional perks and benefits.

Missed Exams

If a student does not attend their scheduled exam, they will not be included in the final invoice sent to the studio.

Illness or Injury

If a student becomes injured or sick during the exam, a credit will be held for that dancer to use in the future.

A make-up exam may be arranged between the ADAPT office and the studio at a later date.

Examination Results

There are two examiners critiquing four to six candidates in each examination class. ADAPT Examination marks are as follows:

Successful examination candidates receive an ADAPT certificate along with an evaluation report. Students who receive a Highly Commended Plus mark also receive the ADAPT “Medal of Merit” for their high achievement. Examination results are final and each student’s evaluation is totally at the discretion of the ADAPT examiners. Students must successfully pass the third level of each dance division before proceeding into the next division.