Ballet Exam Theory

No theory questions are asked in the Primary or Introduction to Grade 1 Examinations. 
The examiner can, however, ask these questions in higher grades. 
The examiner will ask the technical question prior to the candidate’s dance.   
The other theory questions will asked during the examination and will be related to the exercise being demonstrated, and these can include questions from previous grades.

PRIMARY BALLET. 

Demi-plie 
A small bend. Half of a full plie 
Port de bras 
Arm movements which should be soft and graceful. 
Saute 
A spring from two feet in first position. Landing on two feet in first position. 

INTRODUCTION TO GRADE 1

Bras Bas 
A low position of the arms forming an oval shape 
Battement 
An extension of the working leg which returns to its original position 
Tendu 
The working leg is fully stretched 
Grand 
Large or big 
Devant 
In front 
Derriere 
Behind or at the back 
Petit 
Little or small movements of the feet 
Jete 
A throwing action of the working leg 
Degage 
To move the feet from a closed to an open position 

GRADE 1 BALLET
The examiner will ask each candidate 1 question, taken from the list below as well as previous 
grades.  The examiner will also ask each candidate 1 Technical Question from the Grade 1 list of technical questions. 

Demi Second 
The arms are placed halfway between bras bas and second. 
En Croix 
The feet move to form a cross 
Adage 
Slow and controlled movements 
Glissade 
A gliding step 
Changement 
The feet change from 3rd or 5th whilst in the air 
Pose 
To step 
Temps Leve 
To Hop 
En Face 
The dancer is facing the front 

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS  
Q. Where does turnout start. 
A. From the hip and the top of the leg. 

Q. What must we think about when placing a Grand Battement Derriere. 
A.  We must keep our hips and shoulders square to the barre. 

Q. Why are rises important at the barre. 
A. They help to strengthen the ankles and insteps and develop stability. 

Q. What do you consider an Adage exercise or movement to be. 
A. Movements which are slow, controlled and sustained.

GRADE 2. 
The examiner will ask each candidate 2 questions, taken from the list below as well as previous grades.  The examiner will also ask each candidate 1 Technical Question from the Grade 2 list of technical questions. 

Enchainment Steps which are linked together to form a short sequence 
Assemble The feet are joined together this can be on the ground or in the air 
Soutenu The movement is sustained or held 
Fondu A smooth, softened bending of One Knee 
Echappe The feet escape or move away from each other 
Releve A strong snatch onto the demi-pointe keeping the toes in contact with the floor 
Croise A body alignment meaning crossed. The front foot is nearest the audience 
Ouverte A body alignment meaning open. The back foot is nearest the audience 
Arabesque A dancing position on one leg with the other on the ground or lifted. 
A terre The working foot remains on the ground 
En l ’air The working foot is lifted off the ground 
Pas de Chat A step where the dancer springs into the air in a catlike manner 
  
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. 

Q. How would you stand at the start of your ballet class. 
A. In first position. My legs pulled up. My back straight. My centre pulled in and my shoulders relaxed. 

Q. How does a battement fondu exercise help the dancer. 
A.  It helps the dancer to achieve a soft and cushion like landing. 

Q. How should we place the hands and the arms during a first arabesque a terre. 
A. The palms of the hands are turned to the ground. One arm is forward above the shoulder level and opposite the eye line. The other is to the side and slightly back. 

Q. What are the 3 body alignments that you learn in this grade. 
A. Croise, en face and ouverte. 
 

GRADE 3. 
The examiner will ask each candidate 3 questions, taken from the list below as well as previous grades.  The examiner will also ask each candidate 1 Technical Question from the Grade 3 list of technical questions.

Glisse The step is glided 
Ronds de jambe The working leg creates a circle or round shape 
En dehors Outwardly – the working leg moves away from the supporting leg 
En dedans Inwardly – the working leg moves towards the supporting leg 
Retire The working foot draws up to touch the supporting leg with the toe pointed then returns to the floor 
Attitude A dancing position on one leg with the raised leg curved 
Chasse A sliding movement where one foot chases the other 
En avant Travelling forward 
En arriere Travelling backwards 
Balance  A transference of weight with the accent on the first step 
De cote To Travel Sideways 
Soubresaut A spring into the air from 3rd of 5th without changing the feet. 
Pas de Bourree A running step taken from French Folk dances 
Sur Place A step performed on the spot. 
 
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. 

Q. How is a battement tendu different from a battement glisse. 
A. In a tendu the working foot stays connected to the floor, in a glisse the working foot leaves the floor just enough to fully stretch the foot. 

Q. What is the difference in the placement of the working leg during pirouettes and retires. 
A. In retire the working foot is placed at the side or crease of the knee. In a pirouette it is placed at the front of the knee. 

Q. What is the difference between an attitude and an arabesque arm line. 
A. In an arabesque the arms are straight in an attitude they are curved. 

Q. What is the difference between a saute and a soubresaut. 
A. A saute is taken from first a soubresaut from 3rd or 5th. 

GRADE 4 
The examiner will ask each candidate 3 questions, taken from the list below as well as previous grades.  The examiner will also ask each candidate 1 Technical Question from the Grade 4 list of technical questions. 

Frappe 
To strike the floor with the foot 
Sur le cou-de-pied 
When the working foot is placed on the ankle or the neck of the foot 
Developpe 
A slow unfolding and holding of the working leg 
Fouetté 
The working leg is whipped to the next position 
Epaulement 
An extension of the shoulder line 
A deux bras 
Both arms used together 
Temps lie 
Linked. Steps are linked together by a transference of weight 
Pirouette 
A spin on one foot 

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. 
Q. What is the importance of Temps Lie. 
A. It teaches how to smoothly transfer the weight from one foot to the other. 

Q. How else might you describe an attitude a deux bras. 
A. Arms in 5th position. 

Q. Name three things we must remember when demonstrating a pirouette. 
A. To spot the eyes, to have a strong supporting leg and fully pulled in core. 

Q. Which way would you turn in a pirouette en dehors. 
A. Away from the supporting leg. 

GRADE 5 
The examiner will ask each candidate 4 questions, taken from the list below as well as previous grades.  The examiner will also ask each candidate 1 Technical Question from the Grade 5 list of technical questions. 

Sissone 
A step of elevation taking off from 2 feet and landing on one or both. A scissor action 
Ferme 
To close. The feet finish together in a closed position 
Battu 
To Beat. A beating action of the legs 
Entrechat 
Interweave. A jump in the air when the legs cross and recross 
Quatre Four. Four interweaving actions. Two with each leg TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. 

Q. How high should a battement glisse be. 
A. Just off the floor – high enough to fully stretch the working foot. 

Q. Which part of the foot should move first during a pivot. 
A. The heel should lift and move either forwards or backwards depending on the step to follow. 

Q. What qualities should you be showing during adage. 
A. Slow graceful movements. Showing balance and control and continuity of movement. 

Q. Why is it important that the demi plie is used at the start and end batterie  
A. It helps to achieve a high jump and a secure and controlled landing.