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The Dancing Proficiency Assessment (DPA) is aimed at and available to all members of the RSCDS and is not just for those who aspire to become teachers. The revised DPA now consists of three levels.

  • Preparing for the DPA provides an opportunity for members of the RSCDS to improve the standard of their dancing and to have that achievement recognised.
  • The grade and level achieved may be used as a guideline for dancers when deciding which level of class to attend at Summer School. Guidance on this will be provided in the DPA syllabus notes and in the Summer School class criteria
  • The revised DPA allows entry at three different levels.
  • The levels are progressively more demanding in terms of difficulty of dances, formations and required level of performance.
  • Level 1 is an introductory level for those who have not completed the Medal Tests for Young Dancers. The content of level 1 is accessible to competent adult dancers and presents a significant challenge.
  • Level 2 is more demanding, containing more difficult transitions and links between formations and would be valuable preparation for dancers considering becoming teachers in the future.
  • Level 3 is more exacting than level 2 and demands an even higher standard of dancing.
  • Candidates may apply to be assessed at any level. It is not necessary to start at level 1, nor to have achieved level 2 before entering for assessment at level 3.
  • The degree of preparation necessary, the content and the assessment criteria will be explicitly defined and shared with the candidates.
  • It is a requirement for candidates to attend a taught course of a minimum of five hours, in preparation for each assessment. This course is not intended to teach the dances and the technique required, merely to polish the presentation of the dances prior to assessment.  Such courses will be run at Summer School, at day or week-end courses or as a series of classes in Branches, Affiliated Groups and other organisations.  Candidates are responsible for learning the dances and ensuring that their own dancing is as fault free as possible before the course.