#grade exams

[ultimateirishdancer]

Grade Exam Resources

General Info

General Walk Through (What to Expect)

Prelim | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve

Exam Syllabus (2021)

Céilí Info

What I Wish I Knew When I Started

[peacegracehero]

I accidentally mailed in my grade exam without copying it so I have no idea what sets I put down for 11

[ultimateirishdancer]

What To Expect Day Of

This is a little walk through of my experience and what will happen when you go to take the exam. Remember, the specifics of each exam will be listed in other posts, I'll link that here.

The first time you take the exams, you might not know what to expect. I'll start with what it will be like for your first few exams and then get a little more specific for some of the later exams.

The process is far less formal than a feis. You should still be polite and professional, but you can talk with your examiner and others there.

Make sure you arrive early so you can warm yourself up (especially for later exams). Bring your shoes and a water bottle. If you are on any exam other than the first, bring your previous exam certificates AND marking sheets!

When it's time to go in, you'll walk into the room and they'll usually provide a place for you to sit. I find they generally go in alphabetical order? (Aka I've had to go first every single time xD.)

They'll likely talk to you about what their general plan of action is. Each examiner will have their own way they want to do things and I have done it multiple ways. But each dancer will dance one at a time.

Once I had an examiner do all the light shoes from all the exams, then all the hard shoes, then all the sets, then the Céilí's. Another time, we did each exam individually. Again, it will just depend on your examiner. They will give you the game plan, and don't be scared to ask for clarification!

Céilí: When you start having the Céilí included in your exams, it will be orally examed. I'll make a more in-depth post, but make sure you know the exact names of the movements in order and understand the fundamentals of how it moves. Typically the examiner will go down the line asking various questions about how to set up the dance, the order of the movements, and how to execute the movements. I've never had to dance any of them at an exam, but knowing how to dance it personally helps me memorize them better.

Modern (Non-Traditional) Sets: In total, you will have to know eleven separate sets, but you will only end up dancing 8. Truth be told, I did move around the rules a tiny bit, by using the same choreography with different music, but only for two dances in the last exam, which I didn't even end up dancing. For the TCRG, you will have to know and dance 9 set dances. Pro-tip: I noticed with my examiners and my friend noticed the same thing regarding hers for Grade 11 and 12. That is, that they picked the longest set dances we offered. If you're able, I would try to get the longest sets you know out of the way early on, but break it up in a way that makes sense for you! GRADE 11 & 12 ONLY: Since you submit a list of five sets for them to choose from, they will let you know at the beginning which dances you will do, and ask what speed you will require.

At the end, they will inform you whether you take home your certificate that day or not. The only time I did not take it home the same day was for Grade 11 & 12, as they have to go over your results and do some mailing around.

Other quick notes: If you are taking an exam outside of your usual region, make sure the examiner knows!!!

[ultimateirishdancer]

Hi I made a poll concerning what I do about the Traditional sets

https://www.poll-maker.com/poll3757048x34694bC9-114

[ultimateirishdancer]

What I Wish I Knew When I Started

The exams are fairly straight forward. The only problem I ever had while taking them arose when I realized not every examiner was on the same page with how to run or examine us.

For example, during Grades 4-6, the examiner after talking with the examinees, decided to shorten time and the lessen the amount of shoe changes by doing all the lights from all the exams first, then all the hards for all the exams second, then the sets and then the céilí questions at the end. Another time, my friend doing the exact same exams but with a different examiner had to do each grade individually and they had to change their shoes six times. (Admittedly, they got severely behind schedule that day.)

Another example is how each examiner has handled the céilí portion. Most are supremely thorough with making sure we understand each portion of the dance. But once, I was only asked the parts of the body, and passed.

I was very grateful to the examiner I had on Grade 12. He made things clear that I had only guessed at before, shared the knowledge that was unspoken that we all wondered, but no one ever told us. Looking back, I probably should have asked.

He told us we don't have to memorize Ár Rincí Céilí. What we do need is to clearly communicate the movements and make sure the important details are there. We don't need to be machines. We need to understand the dances.

They're looking to see if we know a variety of material suitable for all ages and levels. They look to see if we know what proper technique and form we need. They look to see if we can properly execute the moves we do. And even if we are lacking in a few area's, they will give us notes on it! Also on the good stuff too! It's essentially a private with a judge, helping guide us on our journey to being a TCRG.

I can't tell you what your examiner will do or ask you. All I can do is share my experience and my advice.

And my advice? Just be prepared. Start getting ready earlier than you think you will need to. Let your friends quiz you. Teach what you learn to a friend to help ingrain it into you.

I am quite certain the only way to fail the Grade Exams is by going in without a clue what you are doing. You have people surrounding you who want you to succeed! You have resources available. Take hold of everything.

I've always been fond of saying this, but only so much is in your control. You can't control the judges. You can't control the environment. There really is only a little bit of things in your control. So take advantage of what you can, and make no excuses. If is something outside of your control, let go and move on. But if you take control of what you do, some spectacular things will happen.

I really wish I knew that when I started. But hey, now I do. Prepare what you can. Do what you can. And chill about the rest. You got this.

[ultimateirishdancer]

Grade 12

I found Grade 12 a nice break after Grade 11, though you still have a lot of work. You'll have seven choreographies, two of which are modern sets chosen from a list of five you submit. Again, you will also have two céilí to be tested on. Here is what the Grade 12 Application looks like. You won't be able to submit your application until after you've received your Grade 11 certificate and markings sheet. Another note is that Grade 12 can only be taken if you are 17 or older.

Light Jig - Speed 116. I did my fanciest version here for fun, but usually a simple dance.

Single Jig - Speed 124. I did my favorite choreography for this one, again, a simple dance as it is not competed at higher levels.

Advanced Hornpipe - Speed 113. As this is a slow speed, I do not believe it matters what level of choreography you do here, whether more Novice worthy or Champion worthy. Just make sure you do it neat and clean.

Three Sea Captains - Speed 96, traditional set.

Jockey to the Fair - Speed 90, traditional set.

The Morris Reel - An eight hand in reel time. **Note from the book: All movements in the dance appear in Eight Hand Reel, except for the first and second movements in the body.** Order of movements is as follows: Lead Around, Body, First Figure, Side Couples 1st Fig, Body, Second Figure, Side Couples 2nd Fig, Body, The Finish

The Sixteen Hand Reel - A sixteen hand dance in reel time. Remember which couples correspond! 1 and 2 are leading and opposite tops, 3 and 4 are leading and opposite sides. Same thing happens with couples 5-8, where 5 and 6 are second tops, and 7 and 8 are second sides. Couples 1-4 are set up like a normal eight hand, the second set of couples gets pushed into the space just to the right of their ordinary position, ie couple 5 would stand just to the right of couple 1. Movements are as follows: Lead Around, Body, First Figure (all couples in order 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8), Body, Second Figure (all couples again), Body, Third Figure (all couples again), Body, The Finish.

[Grade 11] [All Grades]

[ultimateirishdancer]

Grade 11

Grade 11 things go up a notch, with a total of 6 choreographies to perform, two céilí to learn, plus the fact that you technically have to have five sets ready, though you will only dance two. What will happen is you will have to submit your Grade 11 application ahead of time. Whoever is hosting the exams will let you know the final due date for the exams. (I've linked the current application, though it should be provided by the Grades Host.) Another note I will make is you have to be 16 years old or older to take Grade 11. A final note for after you finish Grade 11 is that you won't take your certificate home that day, it will be mailed to you. However, they will typically let your teacher know the results very quickly in the meantime.

Advanced Reel - Speed 113. I did a mix of champion-level material again for this exam, but do something you're more or less familiar with, it will make your life easier.

Advanced Slip Jig - Speed 113. Again, did steps I was familiar with. Just because it's advanced doesn't mean you have to do the hardest material you have.

Advanced Heavy Jig - Speed 73. I know I repeat myself, but any material Novice or higher will work for this exam. As long as it is a slow-speed choreography it should be fine.

King of the Fairies - Traditional set, speed 130. Be sure to practice at the correct speed! (I didn't check the speed before I went in, turns out I was practicing to a slightly slower speed, but it turned out alright.)

Two Modern Sets Chosen from Five Submitted - I found that one examiner consistently chose the longest sets out of those I submitted, another just chose one in each time signature. If several people submit the same choreography music, they might choose so that they see the most variety. No way of knowing how your examiner will chose, so just make sure you know all the dances well!

Eight Hand Reel - Eight hand in reel time for four couples. Be sure you don't mix up Eight Hand Reel with Eight Hand Jig! Order of movements is as follows: Lead Around, Body, First Figure, Side Couples 1st Fig, Body, Second Figure, Side Couples 2nd Fig, Body, The Finish

Harvest Time Jig - A Progressive dance for TRIO's! Make sure you say trio's not couples. A silly mistake of wording I made, though when the Examiner pointed it out to me, I thanked her for the correction and corrected myself.

[Grade 10] [Grade 12] [All Grades]

[ultimateirishdancer]

Grade 10

Grade 10 consists of two modern set dances and The Eight Hand Jig.

Two Modern Sets - Just as in Grade 9, one must be in 2/4 or 4/4 time, the other must be in 6/8 time. However, they must be different from those done in Grade 9.

The Eight Hand Jig - As the name suggests, an eight hand done in jig time. Be careful when you learn the movements, it shares the same names as movements in other eight hands, but they are performed differently! Movements are as follows: Lead Around, Body, First Figure, Side Couple 1st Fig, Body, Second Figure, Side Couple 2nd Figure, Body, The Finish

[Grade 9] [Grade 11] [All Grades]