Ballet Exam Preparation: Practical Tips for Dance Parents

A ballet examination is an exciting milestone for young dancers — and a logistical challenge for parents. In the weeks leading up to the exam, a little preparation goes a long way toward making the day smooth and stress-free. This guide covers everything you can do at home to support your child before and on exam day.

Start Uniform Checks Six Weeks Before the Exam

Don’t leave uniform to the last minute. Six weeks before the examination date, take out all the exam uniform and check:

• Leotard: correct grade color, clean, no holes or stretched straps, proper fit (not too tight or too small)
• Tights: no holes, pills, or runs — buy a fresh pair specifically for the exam
• Ballet shoes: elastics secure, not worn through at the sole, the right color
• Elastic belt: correct color, the right length for the current waist size
• Hair accessories: hair net in the right color, enough pins, bun builder if used

Order any replacements early — dancewear delivery can take 7–10 days, and you don’t want to be scrambling the day before.

Practice the Hair for Class, Not Just the Day Before

Exam buns are more formal and polished than everyday class buns. Practice putting your child’s hair up in the exam style in the weeks before the examination so you’re confident on the day. The bun must:

• Sit centered at the back of the head (not low like a chignon)
• Have no flyaways or loose strands around the face or neck
• Stay secure for the full duration of the exam (typically 20–45 minutes)
• Be covered with a hair net in a matching color

For a step-by-step guide, see our How to Do a Ballet Bun guide. Products that help: clear elastic bands (not colored), kirby grips (bobby pins) in matching hair color, fine hairnet, and hairspray for flyaways.

The Week Before: What to Prepare

• Wash and dry the leotard and tights so they’re clean but have been worn once — brand-new tights straight from the packet can be slightly stiff
• Check that ballet shoes are clean and elastics are sewn securely
• Pack the exam bag the evening before (see our RAD Exam Day Checklist for a full list)
• Check the exam schedule — know the exact time and location, and plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early

Managing Nerves Before the Exam

It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous before an exam. Things that help:

• Remind your child that the examiner is not there to catch them out — they genuinely want to see students at their best
• Focus on what your child knows, not what they’re still perfecting
• Avoid running through the whole exam syllabus the night before — a tired, over-rehearsed child performs worse than a rested one
• Keep the morning calm and allow extra time so no one is rushing
• Trust the teacher — if the teacher has entered your child for the exam, they believe the child is ready

On the Day of the Exam

Aim to arrive at the studio 15–20 minutes before the scheduled exam time. This gives your child time to warm up mentally, use the bathroom, and settle in without feeling hurried. Most schools have a warm-up class before the examiner begins, but confirm this with the teacher in advance.

After the exam, celebrate the effort regardless of the result. Exam grades come weeks after the exam — in the meantime, the experience of performing under formal conditions is itself valuable.