Medal Testing
Medal Tests are a form of optional adjudication that many dancers participate in on an annual basis in addition to or instead of competing. These tests provide dancers with an opportunity to be evaluated individually by a high-level Highland judge against a set standard and are given a written evaluation of their performance as well as medals and trophies. At each level, the dancers are expected to be able to perform certain steps or movements to a particular degree of ability. A dancer may test in Highland, National, or Character dances, and may take grade theory tests in preparation to becoming a teacher and to qualify for scholarships.
Highland Exams
First Steps
Positions of the Feet and Arms, Basic Movements
Pre-Bronze
Highland Fling or Sword Dance, Basic Movements
Bronze
Highland Fling, Sword Dance
Silver
Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas
Pre-Gold
Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Half Tulloch
Gold
Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Strathspey & Half Tulloch
Blue Riband
Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Strathspey & Half Tulloch
British Medallion
Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Strathspey & Half Tulloch
British Award
Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Strathspey & Highland Reel
Premier Award
Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Hullachan
Annual Award
Current Championship Steps
National Exams
Pre-Bronze
Flora, Lilt
Bronze
Flora, Lilt
Silver
Flora, Lilt, Johnnie
Gold
Lilt, Laddie, Johnnie
Blue Riband
Scottish Lilt, Village Maid, Laddie
1st Award
Laddie, Blue Bonnets, Village Maid
British Medallion
Blue Bonnets, Earl, Johnnie
2nd Award
Earl, Scotch Measure, Lilt
British Award
Johnnie, Scotch Measure, Village Maid
3rd Award
Blue Bonnets, Earl, candidate to choose 1 dance
Premier Award
Blue Bonnets, Earl, Scotch Measure
Annual Award
As for Premier Award but a higher standard of work is required
Hornpipe & Jig Exams
Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Blue Riband, 1st Award, 2nd Award, 3rd Award
Grade Theory Exams
Pre-Primary (Demonstrate the following)
Basic Movements:
Bow (6 counts), 8 Pas de Basque, 8 Spring Points, 8 Springs from foot to foot, 8 Shedding, 8 Toe & Heel
Positions of the Feet - 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Positions of the Arms - 1st, 2nd
Primary (Demonstrate the following)
Basic Movements:
Bow, Hop, Round-the-leg, Shedding, Toe & Heel, Pas de Basque, Spring Points, High Cuts
5 Positions of the Feet
Five Positions of the Arms
Positions of the Head
Fling or Sword
Grade 1 (Demonstrate the following)
Basic Movements:
Bow, Hop, Spring, Round-the-leg, Shedding, Toe & Heel, Pas de Basque, Spring Points, Rock, Open Pas de Basque, High Cut
Five Positions of the Feet
Five Positions of the Arms
Positions of the Head
Grouping of the Fingers
Fling and Sword
Grade 2 (Describe, demonstrate, and count the following)
Basic Movements:
Bow, Hop, Spring, Round-the-leg, Shedding, Toe & Heel, Pas de Basque, Spring Points, Rock, Open Pas de Basque, High Cut
Five Positions of the Feet
Five Positions of the Arms
Positions of the Head
Grouping of the Fingers
Fling, Sword, and Seann Triubhas
Grade 3 (Describe, demonstrate, and count the following)
Basic Movements:
Assemble, Disassemble, Shake for Highland Fling, Step, Back-Step, Change, Leap
As for Grade 2, with the addition of Aerial, Intermediate, and Rear positions.
Fling, Sword, Seann Triubhas, Half Tulloch