Grade_Examinations

Grade examinations were first introduced by An Coimisiun in 1943 and have since been conducted in Ireland, England, Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand.

There are 12 grades, plus a preliminary grade. Different dances are listed for each Grade and each Grade must be passed before the dancer can proceed to the next stage. Candidates completing all 12 Grades will receive a special "Irish Dancing Commission Dancers Diploma". Grades are not like competitions - each candidate is individually examined and successful candidates in each grade receive an official Commission Certificate. Examiners also give the students and teachers - mark sheets with written remarks and pointers.

The examinations are intended and equally suitable for both dancers who compete regularly and for the very many who are not competition orientated.

Grades and Required Dances (Ceili Dances Underlined)

Preliminary Easy Reel and Easy Light Double Jig

Grade 1 Basic Reel and Light Double Jig

Grade 2 Basic Slip-Jig and Single Jig

Grade 3 Primary Reel and Basic Double Jig

Grade 4 Primary Slip-Jig and St Patricks Day

Grade 5   Advanced Reel, basic Hornpipe and Walls of Limerick

Grade 6 Advanced Slip Jig, The Blackbird and Siege of Ennis

Grade 7 Advanced Heavy Jig, Garden of Daisies and The Four Hand Reel

Grade 8 Advanced Hornpipe, Job of Journeywork and Humours of Bandon

Grade 9 2 Set Dances, one 6/8 time and the other in 2/4 or 4/4 time (not traditionals) and The High Cauled Cap

Grade 10 2 other set dances 6/8 and 2/4 or 4/4 times (not traditionals) and the Eight Hand Jig

Grade 11 Reel, Slip Jig, Heavy Jig, The Blackbird, St Patricks Day plus 2 modern set dances selected by the
                examiner from a list of 5 submitted by the candidate (different from grade 10), The Eight Hand Reel and
                the Harvest Time Jig

Grade 12 Light Double Jig, Single Jig, Hornpipe, Garden of Daisies, Job of Journeywork, plus 2 modern sets
                selected by the examiner from a list of 5 submitted by the candidate( differing from grades 10 and 11)
                The Morris Reel and The Sixteen Hand Reel

Rules and Regulations

1. Only basic steps may be danced in Grades 1,2,3 and in the Preliminary Grade.
2. The number of bars of music for all reels, jigs and hornpipes is 40.
3. Set-dances in Grades 4,5,6 must be performed in the traditional style and manner.
4. From Grade 7 upwards only non-traditional sets may be danced. Once performed a set-dance cannot be
    repeated in a higher grade
5. The same set-dance must not be performed in more than one of the Grades from 7 to 12 inclusive.
6. A dancer must take all Grades in order, beginning with Grade 1, the Preliminary Grade being optional.
    However, any number of consecutive Grades may be taken on the same occasion.
7. Candidates must know (orally and practically) all ceili dances from the book "Ar Rinncidhe Foirne" specified
    for Grades 5 to 12 inclusive.
8. Dance costumes should not be worn at what are examinations, not competitions.
9. Grade 9 may not be taken under 16 years of age; Grade 10 under 17 years or Grades 11 or 12 under 18 years.