American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Examination Requirements All ABT Certified Teachers are eligible to present their students for examination at the end of the academic school year. Once a teacher presents his/her students, and 75% of his/her students pass, the teacher then becomes an ABT Affiliate Teacher. ABT Affiliate Teachers must present a minimum of 12 students for their first year of exams and more than 12 students for following years of exams. Teachers are required to present students bi-annually to maintain their Affiliate Teacher status. For Primary and Level 1, 90% of each teacher s students presented must pass; at Level 2, 80% of the students must pass; and for Levels 3 and up, 75% of the students must pass. To have an adjudicator visit your school, we recommend that you present a minimum of 3 classes, in any level. It is also possible to present students for examination at ABT s headquarters in New York. An adjudicator will observe and evaluate the students in a class that is prepared in advance, and taught, by their ABT Certified Teacher. Affiliate examination Guidelines and Class Plans will be provided to ABT Certified Teachers upon request. Exam Lengths and Fees per student: Levels Primary,1 and 2: Level 3: Levels 4 and 5: Levels 6 and 7: 60 minute class, $50 90-minute class, $65 2 hour class, $75 2 hour class, $85 Please Note: The minimum student examination fee per class is: Levels Primary, 1 and 2: $300 Level 3: $400 Levels 4 7: $500 However if the total student examination fees exceed the minimum fee per class, it would be reflected on the total invoice. Additional exam fees that will be invoiced to the school include: *Transportation costs for the examiner, such as airfare or train fare. *Hotel accommodations for the examiner. 1 Only ABT NTC Certified Teachers can present candidates for the ABT NTC Examinations up to the level the teacher is certified. 2 Candidates must be dressed in the International Dance Supply Official Academy Uniform of American Ballet Theatre Training Programs. Teachers can choose one color and style for female students in each level, which may not be mixed in each class (i.e., cap-sleeve and camisole leotards can not be worn in the same class, if using style #ABT04/05). Male students should also be outfitted in the International Dance Supply Official Academy Uniform of American Ballet Theatre Training Programs for the exam, all wearing the same style (leotard and shorts, leotard and tights, or unitard). Students must be properly groomed (hair neatly secured back away from the face, no jewelry and no extra clothing/warm-ups). Skirts are only required for the Primary levels. 3 The examiner must be in the room prior to the start of the exam. The candidates should formally introduce themselves to the examiner in order, one at a time, upon entering the examination.
4 The Certified Teacher (school) must assign numbers to each of the candidates in height order. The Certified Teacher (school) must also provide numbers, following the Number Template, for the candidates to wear during the exam. Please note: Students should wear their assigned number on both the front and back of their leotard and be clearly visible to the examiner at all times during the examination. Once the assigned numbers have been submitted to ABT, they cannot change without ABT s permission in advance. To maintain consistency in ABT s rubrics, score sheets and records, numbers cannot be changed during the week of the exam. 5 Candidates should be placed by height the lowest number should go to the shortest candidate. 6 The school must email a list of candidates in height order (including age on the day of the exam, date of birth, and gender) with pictures of each candidate (passport size digital photo headshot, for internal use only), for each level, to curriculum@abt.org no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled examination. Please notify the NTC Staff of any special needs students when submitting the student list, so that the Examiner is aware prior to the date of the exam. ABT NTC Staff will prepare assessment sheets and the examination schedules. 7 Candidates should be placed at the barre and center, with the lowest number starting stage right (to the examiner s left). During exercises traveling across the floor (side to side), the lower number should be upstage and the higher number should be downstage. When starting on the diagonal from Corner 3, the lower number should be upstage, to the right of the higher number. When starting on the diagonal from Corner 4, the lower number should be downstage, to the right of the higher number. 8 Barre work must be shown on both sides. Groups for center work should be 3-5 candidates at a time. For exercises across the floor, groups should include 2-3 candidates at a time. Students should always be placed in numerical order (height order). For exam purposes, please place Primary children in lines and not a circle so that the examiner can see every student participating in the exam. Please note: There should be no more than 15 students in a Primary Level, Level 1 or Level 2 class; there should be no more than 12 students in a Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5 class; and there should be no more than 10 students in a Level 6 or Level 7 class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he teacher must email curriculum@abt.org an outline of the class(es) that they are presenting no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled examination. The class plans must be typed following the Sample Class Outline provided by ABT. Examiners will not be able to provide feedback on class plans prior to the exam. Any questions about class plans and exam requirements should be directed to the curriculum staff. If you do not have a copy of the 2 nd Edition of the curriculum, the NTC staff can email you a copy of the levels you are presenting or you can purchase a new binder for reference. 10 The teacher will prepare, set and conduct the Examination Class. The lesson must not be improvised on the spot. The candidates should have the class memorized with verbal cues from the Teacher (there should be no demonstration of enchaînements or correcting of students during the exam and classroom assistants are not allowed in the room during the exam). Although the exam class must cover the material, it should be composed of clear, logical and uncomplicated combinations to enhance the technical performance and artistic quality of the candidate(s). Students will not receive points for required material in each level that is left out of the exam class. Please note: Students should be prepared to repeat a combination at the examiners request. 11 The Pre-Primary Level and Partnering sections of the NTC are not eligible to be presented for examination. 12 Pointe work: -No one under age 11 should do pointe work. -For Level 3A exam, if candidates are younger than 11 they must perform the pointe work on demi-pointe. Candidates ages 11 & older may present pointe work on demi-pointe but will lose 2 points. If candidates ages 11 & older do not perform pointe work, candidates will lose 5 points. -For Level 3B exam, if candidates are younger than 11 they must perform the pointe work on demi-pointe. Candidates may present pointe work on demi-pointe but will lose 2 points. If candidates ages 11 & older do not perform pointe work, candidates will lose 5 points. -For Level 4A exam, pointe work at the barre must be shown. Pointe work in the center may be omitted but candidates will lose 2 points. -For Level 4B exam and higher, candidates MUST do all required pointe work. Female candidates cannot take the exam if they do not present the pointe work section. 13 It is acceptable to use either pre-recorded or live accompaniment, but the music needs to be ready for the exam (music tracks should be placed in order ahead of time). An assistant may be used to push play for recorded music. The tracks can either be pre-cut or the volume can be faded out at the end of each exercise, to match the length of the enchaînement. Exercises do not have to fill the length of the track.
14 The school must provide a table (approximately 4 feet in length), chair and extension cord long enough to reach the Examiner s table in the front of the examination room for the examiner. The Certified Teacher cannot sit next to the examiner during the exam class. The examiner must be left alone in the room for 15 minutes following each exam. The school is responsible for providing the examiner with water, coffee and a snack for the scheduled breaks. If there is a break where a meal is provided, this should be set up outside of the exam studio. 15 The Examination Class must follow the appropriate guidelines for each ABT NTC level. ABT NTC Staff will provide the Examination Class Plan(s) upon examination registration. The prepared class should focus on correct alignment and placement, coordination, musicality, technique, port de bras and artistic presentation demonstrated with basic, clear combinations. A copy of the scoring rubric is available upon request. Age requirements are strictly enforced. A candidate who has not reached the appropriate age will not be adjudicated. 16 Teachers should incorporate the Movement Fundamentals: Space (Level, Dimensions, Directions, Pathways & Dynamics), Group Work whenever appropriate (One child relating to another child, One child relating to a group, Small groups relating to each other & Large group relating to the teacher) and Focus (use of dynamic eye-line). The Examination class must also adhere to the 10 Principles of ABT s NTC. 17 As outlined in the class plan guidelines, ABT NTC levels may be divided into different sections by age and ability at the teacher s discretion. For example, the Primary Level has been divided into sections A, B and C; Levels 1 through 5 into sections A and B; and Levels 6 and 7 must be done in its entirety. Please note: Levels 5B, 6 & 7 are considered pre-professional levels and will be adjudicated accordingly. Note that: Primary Level Section A - Candidates must be at least 5 years and 6 months of age on the date of the exam Section B - Candidates must be at least 6 years and 6 months of age on the date of the exam Section C - Candidates must be at least 7 years and 6 months of age on the date of the exam Level 1 Section A - Candidates must be at least 8 years and 6 months of age by the date of the exam Section B - Candidates must be at least 8 years and 11 months of age by the date of the exam Level 2 Section A - Candidates must be at least 9 years and 6 months of age by the date of the exam Section B - Candidates must be at least 9 years and 11 months of age by the date of the exam Level 3 Section A - Candidates must be at least 10 years and 6 months of age by the date of the exam Section B - Candidates must be at least 10 years and 11 months of age by the date of the exam Level 4 Section A - Candidates must be at least 11 years and 6 months of age by the date of the exam Section B - Candidates must be at least 11 years and 11 months of age by the date of the exam Level 5 Section A - Candidates must be at least 12 years and 6 months of age by the date of the exam Section B - Candidates must be at least 13 years and 6 months of age by the date of the exam Level 6 Candidates must be at least 14 years and 6 months old by the date of the exam Level 7 Candidates must be at least 16 years and 6 months old by the date of the exam 18 Teachers may follow any of the Order of the Barre outlined in the curriculum for Examination Classes in Levels 1-7, however all exercises must be included as per the ABT NTC Class Plan Guidelines.
19 The Examiner will meet with the Certified Teacher(s) for a brief meeting following all of the exams. PLEASE NOTE: TEACHERS MUST ADHERE TO THESE SET GUIDELINES FOR ABT AFFILIATE EXAMINATIONS OR THE EXAMINER HAS THE RIGHT TO STOP THE EXAM. TIME LIMITS FOR EACH EXAM ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED.