Article | : | Dancing Tid-bits Issue #209, Thursday, February 10, 2004
Today's Topic: US-ISTD Exams
A little while ago I wrote a bunch of Tid-bits on ISTD examinations and all information was based on my personal expereince and my own perceptions. I did recieved a lot of mail, some relevant some not. This letter from Miriam Ellis spells out very clearly what is the length of examinations and why. I thought of putting this e mail verbatum without edition. As most of us know she is a renowned and respectable coach and ISTD Fellow/Examiner. Miriam! Thank you, your input is greatly appreciated.
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Dear Max,
I finally have a moment to follow up on my previous e-mail.Time allowances for USISTD Professional Exams are as follows: International Style and American Style Ballroom International Style Latin and American Style Rhythm Student Teacher-75 minutes Student Teacher-90 minutes Associate- 120 minutesAssociate- 135 minutes Licentiate- 135 minutesLicentiate - 150 minutes Fellow- 150 minutesFellow- 165 minutes You will notice that all of the Latin & Rhythm Exams allow 15 minutes more than the Ballroom Exams.The reason is that these exams cover 5 dances, versus the 4 in the Ballroom Department.We Examiners found that we could not do the 5th dance justice; hence the change. Just to reiterate the fact that an Examiner may not examine any candidate whom he/she has coached within the previous 6 months.Personally, I believe in this rule, as I would find it most difficult to be objective in the exam room with a candidate I have helped train. Hope this clarifies the above for you.You may use my name any time in connection with my quotes. Thank you, Miriam Ellis ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ P.S. As Ms. Miriam Ellis indicated this is USISTD information but I do believe that this will also be true with ISTD examinations any where in the world. It is also interesting to note that US-ISTD conducts examinations in the American Style also, both Smooth and Rhythm. With Best Wishes, Max
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