In all there are 12 grades plus a preliminary grade.
Different places are specified for each grade and are listed hereunder.
Each grade must be passed before a dancer may attempt the next grade. A certificate is awarded for each grade passed.
A dancer who passes all twelve grades receives “The Diploma of the Irish Dancing Commission”.
Grade examinations are unlike competitions in that each dancer is individually examined and also receives the detailed written assessment already mentioned.
There is no cost to teachers organising examinations; items such as examiners’ fee’s, hall charges, administrative expenses, etc, are met from the examination fees paid by the dancers.
A current schedule of fees is attached. The examinations are intended and equally suitable for both dancers who compete regularly and for the very many who are not competition orientated.
A system of Credits towards the TCRG and ADCRG will be awarded as follows, thereby exempting the candidate from re taking the Solo Dancing section of each exam.
TCRG - 70% or over needed on Grades 6 – 12 inclusive.
ADCRG - 80% or higher needed on Grades 6 – 12 inclusive.
In recent years, many prospective teachers in Europe have begun to take the Grade exams as a means of obtaining Credits towards their TCRG and ADCRG exams:
Rules & Regulations:
Only basic steps may be danced in Grades 1, 2, 3 and in the preliminary Grade.
The number of bars of music to be danced for all reels, jigs and hornpipes is 40.
Set-dances in Grades 4, 5 & 6 must be performed in the traditional style and manner.
From Grade 7 upwards only non-traditional sets can be danced. Once performed a set-dance cannot be repeated in a higher grade.
The same set-dance must not be performed in more than one of the Grades from 7 to 12 inclusive.
A dancer must take all grades in order, beginning with Grade 1, the preliminary Grade being optional. However, any number of consecutive grades may be taken on the same occasion.
Candidates must know (orally & practically) all céilí dances from the book “Ár Rincí Foirne” specified for Grades 5 – 12 inclusive.
- Dance costumes should not be worn at what are examinations.
- Grade 9 may not be taken under 16 years of age, and Grade 10 under
- 17 years.
- Candidates must be in their 19th year to sit Grade 11 and in their 20th
- year to sit Grade 12
For Grades 11 and 12 new application forms must be completed and approved by the Examination Authority .
Each of these two Grades must be taken by a different Examiner and that Examiner must be an Examiner from the Údarás (Examination Authority).
