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Teacher Training

ABT Student Examinations

ABT Student Examinations

The ABT Student Examinations are a graded evaluation system that enables ABT Certified Teachers to receive personalized, constructive feedback on their methods. Not only are the Student Examinations a useful tool for dance educators, but they provide feedback for participating students regarding their technique and artistry.

Benefits of Student Examinations

For Teachers

The ABT Student Examinations enable ABT Certified Teachers to improve their teaching methods by receiving feedback from an ABT Examiner. Presenting teachers will also receive a letter stating whether they have successfully achieved or maintained their Affiliate Teacher status.

Affiliate Teachers who present students for three consecutive successful sessions of exams will achieve the level of distinction of ABT NTC Fellow. Explore the list of ABT NTC Affiliate Teachers and ABT NTC Fellows below.

Further, to earn eligibility to present students in the highest level of the ABT NTC (Levels 6 and 7), ABT NTC Certified Teachers are required to successfully present their students for exams in lower levels first.

For Students:

ABT Student Examinations benefit students by serving as a skill assessment to document students’ progress, build their confidence, and improve their training. Each participating student receives an individual rubric outlining his/her proficiency both technically and artistically with comments from the Examiner. Students who successfully pass the exam will also receive an official certificate listing the level of the examination class they took along with their level of distinction. The four levels of distinction are Pass, Pass with Merit, Pass with Honors, and Pass with High Honors.

ABT Affiliate TeachersABT NTC Fellows

Student Examinations Details

Request Examinations

To request an examination, ABT Certified Teachers may fill out the 2024 ABT Online Student Examination Request Form online. You must complete a request form at least four months prior to the requested exam date(s). A $100 deposit is required for all ABT Student Examination requests and will be applied to the final invoice. Please email exams@abt.org for 2024 Exam Guidelines.

Request an Exam
Prepare for Examinations

The presenting school must email exams@abt.org with the following information no less than four weeks prior to the scheduled examination:

  • List of candidates’ names and photos in accordance with ABT Student Examination Guidelines. Candidates should be ordered by height.
  • Outline of the classes being presented (Sample Class Outline provided upon request).
  • Master input sheet with candidates’ names, dates of birth and ages on the date of the exam.

Conduct Examinations

The examination class is conducted by the ABT Certified Teacher. The examination class must follow the appropriate 2024 Student Examination Guidelines Online for each ABT NTC level in which the presenting teacher is certified. The prepared class should focus on correct alignment, placement, coordination, musicality, technique, port de bras, and artistic presentation demonstrated with basic, clear combinations. Students must have the examination class memorized.

Examination Fees & Costs

Please email exams@abt.org for 2024 Student Exam and Master Class Fees.

Master Classes

Presenting schools may request a Master Class from their Examiner following the exam. Master Classes are taught by the Examiner and provide reinforcement for his/her feedback, benefitting both the presenting teacher and the participating students.

Master Classes should be for the levels that were presented for NTC Student Exams and are offered exclusively for the students of the presenting school. Master Classes may only take place after the Examiner has adjudicated all Student Examinations. It is encouraged that presenting teachers observe the class.

Please email exams@abt.org for more information.

Examination Evaluation

Each ABT Student Examination is observed and assessed by a member of the ABT National Training Curriculum Artistic Board of Examiners. The Artistic Board of Examiners is committed to providing constructive, personalized feedback to presenting teachers and participating students. Learn more about each of our Examiners below.

Photo: Hanna Bass.

Franco De Vita

ABT National Training Curriculum Artistic Associate

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Photo: Hanna Bass.

Raymond Lukens

ABT National Training Curriculum Artistic Associate

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Explore other areas of the National Training Curriculum:

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Teacher Training Intensives

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ABT Certified Teachers

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Dancer

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Contact Us

If you require further assistance or have any questions, please contact us.

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FAQs

View our frequently asked questions for ABT’s National Training Curriculum.

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