The Ultimate Guide to Acing Your Dance Exam- by Amelia Simpson

Completing an exam can be nerve-wracking at the best of the times! In order to create an as stress free experience as you can, there are so many small things you can do to put those nerves at ease!

Preparation is key the night before your dance exam. Make sure you know exactly where your exam will take place, what time your exam is and what time you need to get there.

The night before roll out and lightly stretch all your muscles, go to bed early and get a good sleep so your body has enough time to recover and be fresh for your exam the next day. Especially if it’s early in the morning. You will be nervous enough, so don’t add unnecessary stress. Being there at least an hour before will make you feel more in control of the situation, and will give you extra time in case something unexpected happens. 

Make sure you pack a bag with the following essentials the night before to be prepared. You can write these down on a checklist and tick everything off in the morning before you go. 

• Hair kit containing bobby pins, hairnet, hair ties, hairbrush, combs and most importantly hairspray or mousse to keep the flyaways out! I usually practise the hairstyle I’m planning on doing to ensure I’m confident with it and it will be durable enough to stay in throughout the exam. Even if you’re doing your hair at home before you leave, the chances are extremely high that you’ll need extra hair pins so pack this kit!

 

• This is optional, but you may want to bring some light makeup to look and feel your best. Such as blush, mascara, brow pencil, and a lip gloss or balm. 

 

• Bring two water bottles as you will need a lot of water to keep you hydrated, you should also pack a lunch box with energy-boosting snacks such as fruit, muesli bars, or frooze balls to give you sustained energy throughout your exam, try not to eat a few minutes before your exam as you could risk getting the stitch. 

 

• Pack all of your dancewear like, leotards, tights, warm-up clothing, and the correct shoes for the genre of your exam, and where you can take spares! Especially a spare pair of tights, the last thing you need is to ladder your ballet tights minutes before your examination begins and not have spares to change into! 

 

Before you go into your exam, your muscles should be warm. Use the hour to warm-up and also to mentally prepare yourself. Go over the order of exercises for your exam so you know what to expect. It should go without saying to know every exercise thoroughly, so you can dance at your best! You can never be too prepared and by doing all of these things, it will show you are respectful and professional towards the process and the examiner. 

Here are some key things to remember...

• If you make a mistake or forget a step during the exam, don't worry about it and keep going! Remember, everyone makes mistakes.

 

• Breathe, have fun and smile! The examiners want the best for you and this is only one exam throughout your whole life. I realise that this exam can seem very important at the moment, but it's crucial to keep in mind that neither this exam nor the grade you receive define you or your worth. Believe in yourself and remember all the hard work you’ve put in, you got this!

 

Good Luck for your next exam... YOU GOT THIS!

 

By Amelia Simpson