What is a Grade Exam?
The purpose of the Grade Examinations Scheme is to provide a structured framework within which dancers can progress towards an achievable goal. The syllabus has been designed to provide a strong foundation in Irish Dance by developing a candidate’s physical skills, stamina, expression, musicality and an appreciation and knowledge of the traditional dances and culture.
It provides a worthwhile sense of achievement for individuals whether they dance solely for health, recreation or competitive reasons or hope to pursue a career in Irish Dancing.
Grade examinations are unlike competitions in that each candidate is individually examined and receives a detailed written assessment of their performance and knowledge of the grade being attempted. They are open to both male and female candidates regardless of age and ability.
The scheme consists of 12 grades with each grade becoming increasingly more demanding on the candidate’s skill, knowledge and ability. Each Grade must be passed and certificate awarded before a candidate may attempt the next level. A dancer who successfully completes all Grades will be awarded “The Diploma of the Irish Dancing Commission”.
Grade exams are great for personal goal setting and achievement and can be completed without participating in the competition aspect of Irish Dancing. They are not necessary for competing at feiseanna but are often offered at a feis.
Effective January 1st 2018, all candidates must have completed Grades 1 through to 12 to be eligible to take the TCRG examination. Each candidate will be required to submit proof of having taken all twelve grades. This documentation must be submitted with the application.
More info can be found on the CLRG website.
The purpose of the Grade Examinations Scheme is to provide a structured framework within which dancers can progress towards an achievable goal. The syllabus has been designed to provide a strong foundation in Irish Dance by developing a candidate’s physical skills, stamina, expression, musicality and an appreciation and knowledge of the traditional dances and culture.
It provides a worthwhile sense of achievement for individuals whether they dance solely for health, recreation or competitive reasons or hope to pursue a career in Irish Dancing.
Grade examinations are unlike competitions in that each candidate is individually examined and receives a detailed written assessment of their performance and knowledge of the grade being attempted. They are open to both male and female candidates regardless of age and ability.
The scheme consists of 12 grades with each grade becoming increasingly more demanding on the candidate’s skill, knowledge and ability. Each Grade must be passed and certificate awarded before a candidate may attempt the next level. A dancer who successfully completes all Grades will be awarded “The Diploma of the Irish Dancing Commission”.
Grade exams are great for personal goal setting and achievement and can be completed without participating in the competition aspect of Irish Dancing. They are not necessary for competing at feiseanna but are often offered at a feis.
Effective January 1st 2018, all candidates must have completed Grades 1 through to 12 to be eligible to take the TCRG examination. Each candidate will be required to submit proof of having taken all twelve grades. This documentation must be submitted with the application.
More info can be found on the CLRG website.
Upcoming Grade Exams:
Saturday November 8th & Sunday November 9th 2025
The Early McLoughlin School of Irish Dance will be hosting Grades 1–10 (and possibly Grades 11 & 12, pending enough candidate interest) in Mahwah, NJ.
Application Forms for Grades 1-10 are available at: https://www.mcloughlinschool.com/grade-exams-2025.html
Applications for Grades 1-10 should be postmarked by 10/26. Potential applicants for Grades 1-10 should not wait until the last minute as exams will be capped!
Dancers interested in taking Grades 11 & 12 please contact Miss. Rebecca for further instruction.
Looking for more dates? Use the Find a Grade Exam feature on the IDTANA website to view all eligible exams in North America.
Saturday November 8th & Sunday November 9th 2025
The Early McLoughlin School of Irish Dance will be hosting Grades 1–10 (and possibly Grades 11 & 12, pending enough candidate interest) in Mahwah, NJ.
Application Forms for Grades 1-10 are available at: https://www.mcloughlinschool.com/grade-exams-2025.html
Applications for Grades 1-10 should be postmarked by 10/26. Potential applicants for Grades 1-10 should not wait until the last minute as exams will be capped!
Dancers interested in taking Grades 11 & 12 please contact Miss. Rebecca for further instruction.
Looking for more dates? Use the Find a Grade Exam feature on the IDTANA website to view all eligible exams in North America.
Rules and Regulations for Grade Examinations as noted by CLRG
Dances Required for each of the 12 Grades:
- Candidates must be associated with a currently registered CLRG teacher.
- All 12 grade examinations must be completed for a candidate to be eligible to apply to take the T.C.R.G. examination.
- Grade examiners of choice may be used for Grades 1-6, with a minimum of 2 different examiners to be used through these grades.
- The same grade examiner may not examine in the same class for a period of 3 years.
- Grade exams must be examined by at least 4 different examiners for grades 1- 10.
- Grades 11 and 12:
- Grades 11 and 12 must be conducted by S.D.C.R.G. examiners.
- Grades 11 and 12 are open to all candidates. Due to grades 11 and 12 being linked to the T.C.R.G. examination, and graded by an S.D.C.R.G. examiner, briefing and questions/answers will be included to help the candidate understand the requirements and preparation necessary for all parts of the T.C.R.G. examination.
- Special application forms must be submitted for these exams.
- Candidates must be at least 16 years or older to take grade 11.
- Candidates must be at least 17 years or older to take grade 12.
- A different S.D.C.R.G. examiner must examine each of grades 11 and 12.
- Where possible, these examiners must be different from the examiners who assessed any grade between grades 7-10.
- The results of grades 11 and 12 are not given to the candidates until they have been ratified by An tUdarás Scrúdaithe.
- The candidates will receive diplomas signed by both the examiner and chairperson of An tÚdaras Scrúdaithe for grades 11 and 12.
- Each grade must be passed before a candidate may attempt the next grade.
- Candidates must produce previous grade exam reports before proceeding to take the next grade. Reports must be presented at the examination.
- Grades 11 and 12 require that exam reports are submitted along with the specific application form to the office of CLRG 8 weeks in advance of the exam.
- Grade 11 = Application & grade 1-10 examination reports to [email protected]
- Grade 12 = Application & grade 11 report only to [email protected]
- Grade examiners must ensure that all grades have been taken before examining the next grade. Please ensure that all previous grades are in order, as any exam taken in the future without confirmation of previous grades may not stand.
- A candidate must take all grades in order, beginning with Grade 1 (the Preliminary grade is optional).
- A candidate may only attempt three consecutive grades at any one exam.
- A three-month period must elapse before the next grade is attempted, e.g. if a grade exam is taken on 30th June, the next grade(s) cannot be taken before 30th September of the same year.
- A candidate would be permitted to retake any grade for a better score upon submission of a specific written request to the Udarás Scrúdaithe, with the understanding that the second result would replace the earlier one and that the dancer would be required to pay the usual fee for the grade being retaken.
- A candidate undergoing a six-month restyling period may take a grade examination.
- A certificate is awarded for each grade. Grade examinations are unlike competitions in that each candidate performs the dances individually and receives a detailed written assessment.
- A grade should be given for each solo dance performed and averaged to achieve the overall grade. Céilí dances should not be included in the average grade. Comments should be noted on the theoretical knowledge.
- Candidates must be able to adequately demonstrate practical and theoretical knowledge of all céilí dances as per Ár Rincí Céilí as specified in the syllabus for Grades 5 -12. The candidates must not be asked to teach these dances.
- Dance costumes must not be worn.
- Only basic steps may be danced in the preliminary grade and grades 1, 2 and 3.
- St. Patrick’s Day, Blackbird, Garden of Daisies, Job of Journeywork, King of the Fairies, Three Sea Captains, and Jockey to the Fair must be performed in a traditional style and manner.
- 40 bars of music must be danced for all Reels, Single or Hop Jigs, Light Jigs, Slip Jigs, Heavy Jigs and Hornpipes.
- Music speeds on the syllabus as per CLRG rules.
- All modern set dances in grades 9-12 must not be repeated in any of these grades.
Dances Required for each of the 12 Grades:
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DANCE REQUIREMENTS (2 ½ Steps of all Dances/40 BARS):
GRADE 1 - Beginner/Easy reel AND Light jig. GRADE 2 - Beginner /Easy slip jig AND Hop/Single jig. GRADE 3 - Novice/Primary Reel AND Traditional Treble jig. GRADE 4 - Novice/Primary Slip Jig AND St Patrick’s Day Trad Set. GRADE 5 - Advanced (PW/Championship) Reel, Traditional Hornpipe, AND Walls of Limerick Ceili GRADE 6 - Advanced (PW/Championship) Slip Jig, the Blackbird Trad Set, and Siege of Ennis Ceili GRADE 7 - Advanced (PW/Championship) Heavy Jig, Garden of Daisies Trad Set, and Four Hand Reel Ceili GRADE 8 - Advanced (PW/Champ) Hornpipe, Job of Journeywork Trad Set, and Humours of Bandon Ceili GRADE 9 - Jig Set Dance, Hornpipe Set Dance, and the High Cauled Cap Ceili GRADE 10 - Jig Set Dance, Hornpipe Set Dance (different from those in Grade 9) and 8 Hand Jig Ceili GRADE 11 - Advanced Reel, Advanced Slip Jig, Advanced Heavy Jig, King of the Fairies Trad Set, The Eight Hand Reel Ceili, the Harvest Time Jig Ceili, AND 2 modern set dances selected by the examiner from a list of 5 submitted by the candidate (different from those danced in Grades 9 & 10) GRADE 12- Light Jig, Single/Hop Jig, Advanced Hornpipe, Three Sea Captains Trad Set, Jockey to the Fair Trad Set, The Morris Reel Ceili, the 16 Hand Reel Ceili, AND 2 modern set dances selected by the examiner from a list of 5 submitted by the candidate (different from those danced in Grades 9, 10, & 11) **Grades 4 and higher will require more advanced steps, including all 4 traditional set dances. |
FAQ's
- How do I know which grades myself, or my dancer should sign up for?
- Review the list of dance requirements above for each grade. Your dancer should know which dances they are proficient in. If you are unsure, please communicate with your teacher so they can best assist you.
- Preparation for Exams
- Dancers who sign up for Grade exams outside of the studio, should notify their teacher about the upcoming exam. This will allow our teaching staff to review all required choreography leading up to the exam. Not all dancers take grade exams, so it is important that your dancer is responsible and focuses on their required dancers. Daily at home practice will help reinforce all the choreography.
- What should my dancer wear to the exam?
- Girls can wear the Kender Academy black leotard with school skirt, and cape with Poodle socks. OR Black leotard with a simple black skater skirt with poodle socks. Hair must be pulled back out of face, No wigs are allowed.
- Boys can wear plain black button down shirt with black dance pants.