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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 to download here.
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must enter for the Cecchetti Awards if their exam is from 1 January onwards, and the existing syllabus codes will be withdrawn in early January.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.  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 the syllabus outline 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  

Classical Indian Dance Faculty: Bharatanatyam and Kathak Grades 1–6


What’s changing from 1 April 2026

  • Revised examination format balancing performance and contextual material across Grades 1–6.
  • The File and Theory sections have been removed from the grade examinations.
  • There is a new section called “Requested Additional Material”. This involves first performing additional practical content. Then, the examiner will ask questions that are linked to the Prepared Dance Sequence performed and additionally performed practical material.
    For Bharatanatyam examinations: Teachers notes are still required. Please see the Specification for full details.

 

  • New Ofqual‑regulated Level 3 Theory Examination – this examination is a consolidation of the theoretical content previously spread across Grades 1-6. Candidates are entered as mandatory before Grade 6 or Intermediate examinations.
  • Please note: The syllabus changes to the Theory and File sections do NOT affect students’ learning. It is the examination assessment that has been modified to allow more room in the graded examinations for candidates to focus on performative material. Therefore, it is essential for teachers to continue teaching the same content from the full syllabus for each grade, as they currently do, (especially from the File and Theory sections) to build fully rounded dancers with progressive knowledge. This ensures that theoretical study is integrated throughout the training and aligned with the practical work, rather than being condensed into a short, intensive period between Grades 5 and 6.

No change to exam durations or fees.

Availability and support

  • Bharatanatyam and Kathak Grade Specifications (updated) publishing in February 2026.
  • First exams under the new format from 1 April 2026.
  • Teacher Support Session for all teachers – Friday 24 April 2026 – 12-1pm

Book your place here

Vocational – new recommended ages

  • Advanced 1 and Advanced 2: minimum recommended age 13 - Effective from 1st October 2025
  • Intermediate Foundation: recommended age 11 (unchanged).
  • Intermediate: recommended age 12 (unchanged).
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 available now
 
Current Advanced 1 Tap: last date for exam entry is 30th September 2026 

Download specification here 

Advanced 1 films available 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   
Withdrawals 2026/27  ➧

We have final examination date of 30 September 2026 for the following:

  • Ballroom Grades 1-6 and Intermediate
  • Alternative Rhythms All Medal Tests and Awards
  • Sequence Classical Grades 1-6 and Intermediate
  • Country and Western All Medal Tests, Imperial Award and Supreme Award

Find out more here.