Our Dancers learn the STDA syllabus for Highland Dance. There are generally 2 exam opportunities for dancers to demonstrate their skills to an examiner (usually from Scotland) every year. Exams are usually held in November and then again in February.
Pre-school and Primary dancers have the opportunity to participate in the “Dance Stars” program which allows them to prepare for their exams in the future by performing basic highland movements in front of the examiner. You can read more about medal tests by downloading our medal test PDF.
The requirements for all Highland Dance exams are listed below for your convenience. A current PDF copy is available [here].
Study Help for Your SDTA Theory Exams!
Pass your highland dancing SDTA theory exams with ease by studying with our custom flashcards. Coil bound and colour coded, they cover all grades from primary to Grade 6. Positions are shown in full colour and sword positions are diagrammed. Click on the flashcard photo to be taken to the Celtic Ceilidh online store where you can pre-purchase and then pick-up when you go to your next dance class.
Highland
Level | Fling | Sword | Sean Triubhas | Reel |
Dance Stars I (3-6 years) |
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Dance Stars II (3-6 years) |
Note: Teacher will select 5 movements from above list. |
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Dance Stars III (3-6 years) |
Note: Teacher will select 5 movements from above list. |
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Dance Stars IV (3-6 years) |
Note: Teacher will select 5 movements from above list. |
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Dance Stars V (3-6 years) |
Note: Teacher will select 3 movements 3rd test and 3 movements from 4th test. | |||
Preparatory Test | Demonstrate without Music:
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Preliminary Test | 1st, 3rd & 8th Steps demonstrated without music |
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Alternative Preliminary Test |
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Pre-Bronze |
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Bronze |
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Pre Silver |
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Silver |
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Pre-Gold |
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Gold |
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Demonstrate:
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Scottish Award 1 |
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Scottish Award 2 |
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Scottish Award 3 |
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Scottish Award 4 |
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Demonstrate:
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Scottish Award 5 |
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Scottish Award 6 |
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Scottish National Medal Tests
Level | Steps |
Pre-Bronze | Flora – 4 Steps OR Lilt – 4 Steps OR Dusty Miller 4 Steps |
Bronze |
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Silver |
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Gold |
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Scottish Award 1 |
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Scottish Award 2 |
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Scottish Award 3 |
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Scottish Award 4 (Arms as for Highland) |
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Scottish Award 5 (Arms as for Highland) |
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Jig
Level | Steps |
Pre-Bronze – 4 steps | Teacher’s Choice |
Bronze – 4 Steps |
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Silver – 4 Steps |
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Gold – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award 2 – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award 3 – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award 4 – 5 Steps |
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Sailor’s Hornpipe
Level | Steps |
Pre-Bronze – 4 steps | Teacher’s Choice – Single High Cuts accepted |
Bronze – 4 Steps |
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Silver – 4 Steps |
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Gold – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award 1 – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award 2 – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award 3 – 5 Steps |
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Scottish Award 4 – 5 Steps |
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Theory – Grade Examinations
Level | Syllabus |
Primary (under age 10) Demonstration only |
BARRE WORK
CENTRE WORK
PRACTICAL
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Grade I Count (if applicable) demonstrate and describe |
To include all in previous Grades, plus:
BARRE WORK
CENTRE WORK
PRACTICAL
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Grade II Count (if applicable) demonstrate and describe |
To include all in previous Grades, plus:
BARRE WORK
CENTRE WORK
PRACTICAL
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Grade III Count (if applicable) demonstrate and describe |
To include all in previous Grades, plus:
BARRE WORK
CENTRE WORK
PRACTICAL
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Grade IV Count (if applicable) demonstrate and describe |
To include all in previous Grades, plus:
BARRE WORK
CENTRE WORK
PRACTICAL
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Grade V Count (if applicable) demonstrate and describe |
To include all in previous Grades, plus:
BARRE WORK
CENTRE WORK
PRACTICAL
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Grade VI Count (if applicable) demonstrate and describe |
To include all in previous Grades, plus:
BARRE WORK
CENTRE WORK
PRACTICAL
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