Prerequisites and age requirements
Exam prerequisites
| Intermediate Foundation | None |
| Intermediate | None |
| Advanced Foundation | Intermediate |
| Advanced 1 | Intermediate |
| Advanced 2 | Advanced 1 |
| Solo Seal | Advanced 2 (Distinction) |
Equivalent ballet qualifications from the following organisations are accepted:
- British Ballet Organisation (BBO/bbodance)
- British Theatre Dance Association (BTDA)
- National Association of Teachers of Dance (NATD)
- Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
- International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA)
Where, exceptionally, candidates enter for an exam and the prerequisite in the same session, the award of the exam will be dependent on the prerequisite also being passed.
For more information, please see Entering candidates for exams in our Specifications.
Age requirements
An RAD Registered teacher will identify when a candidate is ready to take an exam.
For demonstration classes, the following target ages apply:
| Level | Target age |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2½ – 3½ |
| Level 2 | 3½ – 4½ or 5 |
There are age requirements for RAD exams, class awards, solo performance awards and presentation classes.
The minimum age must have been reached by a specified date before each exam session.
The cut-off dates are determined by country/region, and are included in the entry form and in online exam entry, so when you select your country and session, you will see whether a candidate is too young.
Alternatively, download Minimum age cut off dates worldwide 2019.
| Level | Minimum age |
|---|---|
| Pre-Primary in Dance | 5 |
| Primary in Dance | 6 |
| Grades 1-5 | 7 |
| Grades 6-8 | 11 |
| Intermediate Foundation | 11 |
| Intermediate | 12 |
| Advanced Foundation | 13 |
| Advanced 1 | 14 |
| Advanced 2 | 15 |
| Solo Seal | 15 |