The following table outlines syllabus updates from the past 12 months that apply to exams currently being entered.
This table is updated annually to ensure that all teachers are aware of syllabus updates that apply from 1 October each year. Upcoming updates are also included where relevant.
Click on the relevant faculty to view the table of syllabus updates.
Theatre Faculty updates
Cecchetti Classical Ballet ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Syllabus outline and mark schemes have been collated into our new specification. | Available from November 2025. |
| Cecchetti Performance Awards are being retitled to “Cecchetti Awards” | This will be included in the new Cecchetti Specification, and the new award title will begin from 1 January 2026. Teachers must enter for the Cecchetti Awards if their exam is from 1 January onwards, and the existing syllabus codes will be withdrawn in early January. Please make sure that you enter for the correct qualification title and code. |
| Cecchetti Senior Certificate 1 has been regulated with UCAS points attached at Level 3. New recommended dancer levels for Standards. |
This will be included in the new Cecchetti Specification and be on the UCAS tariff once confirmed. Once available this will be communicated to members. Download mark scheme here |
Classical Greek ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No changes to syllabus content. A re-proofed outline has been created to support teacher clarity. | Download syllabus outline here. |
Classical Indian Dance ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Bharatanatyam and Kathak Grade 1-6 Examinations: revised exam format with rebalanced Theory and File components. A new standalone regulated Level 3 Theory exam introduced for candidates entering exams from 1 April 2026. | Available from December 2025. |
| Vocational Age changes for Advanced 1 and 2 Recommended minimum age for Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 has been adjusted to 13 years for both levels. Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate remain unchanged: Intermediate Foundation: recommended age 11 years. Intermediate: recommended age 12 years. If you have any questions, please contact your relevant Exams Department. |
New Vocational Syllabus Outline available from December 2025 and new ages recommendations for Advanced 1 and 2 are in place for exams from 1 October 2025: |
Imperial Classical Ballet ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Grade 6 Ballet exam format changes No changes to Primary Graded Exam, Class Exams, Vocational Exams or Teaching Qualifications. |
Download the updated specification and webinar Specification - access here Webinar: Teaching tools and advice - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
Modern Theatre ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| Primary to Grade 6 exam format changes – Reminder to check specification for exam format changes – especially Primary, Grade 1 and Grade 2 |
Download specification |
| Reminder of the new Modern Theatre Glossary | Download glossary |
| Bronze and Silver Jazz Awards Teacher Support film for amalgamations | Access the video here |
| Recommended Playlists | Modern Theatre Playlists - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
National ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made | Download syllabus outline here |
Tap ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| New Advanced 1 Tap: examined from 1 October 2025 Advanced 1 film soon to be published Current Advanced 1 Tap: last date for exam entry is 30th September 2026 |
Download specification here |
| New Tap Class exams: examined from 1 October 2025 – check the new specification and webinar for full details |
Download the Class specification and webinar here: Teaching tools and advice - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
| Reminder to check Grade 1-6 for exam format changes | Download the specification here |
| Recommended Playlists | Download here: Tap Playlists - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing |
Theatre Faculty Playlists
The playlists listed below are presently available for use in examinations and can be accessed via “MyISTD” as well as through the private Teachers Facebook groups. Certain levels remain under development, and these are indicated below.
Tap ➧
| Grade | Notes |
| Bronze Awards | Access them here |
| Silver Awards | Access them here |
| Gold Awards | Access them here |
| Pre Primary | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Primary | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 1 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 2 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 3 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| Grade 4 | Access them here |
| Grade 5 | Access them here |
| Grade 6 | Access them here |
| Intermediate | Access them here |
| Advanced 1 (old) | Access them here |
| Advanced 1 (new) | Available upon attending the relevant course. Please contact coursebookings@istd.org |
| Advanced 2 | Set music used in examinations |
| PTT Level 1-6 | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
| PTT Medals | Suggested tracks in research and trials with Faculty |
Modern Theatre ➧
| Grade | Notes |
| Primary |
Set music used in examinations |
| Grade 1 | Set music used in examinations |
| Grade 2 | Access them here |
| Grade 3 | Access them here |
| Grade 4 | Access them here |
| Grade 5 | Access them here |
| Grade 6 | Access them here |
| Intermediate Foundation | Access them here |
| Intermediate | Available upon attending the relevant course. Please contact coursebookings@istd.org |
| Advanced 1 | Access them here |
| Advanced 2 | Access them here |
| Jazz Awards | Suggested tracks are in research and trials with Faculty |
Dance Sport Updates
Disco Freestyle, Rock 'n' Roll ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| A new Grades Specification Document has been created to accompany a slight revision and format order for Grades 1-6 | New Specification available from November 2025 |
| Grade 1 and Grade 2: Minor revisions affecting only the Musical Appreciation sections. No changes to content. |
This will be included in the new DFR Grades Specification and will become active in examinations from 1 January 2026 |
| Format changes and clarifications across all Graded exams. | Reflected in the new DFR Grades Specification and updated Grades 1-3 Syllabus Book. |
Ballroom ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made |
Latin American ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made |
Sequence ➧
| Syllabus updates | Where to find further information |
| No syllabus changes/updates have been made |
