LAMDA Exam Classes

Learning new skills while having fun, this is a great starting point for learners to gain confidence. Our Introductory exams are the perfect start for both young learners and those who have never taken an exam before. By learning the words of a fun poem from the likes of Michael Rosen and Valerie Bloom our Introductory learners are developing the ability to express themselves clearly while also improving their memorisation and recall. Not only that, they are also gaining in self-confidence as they talk about the things they love, like their favourite toy, place or book. These conversations encourage our learners to feel at ease with answering questions, listening and using description. This is a non-regulated examination.

Learners delve into characterisation and develop strong speaking skills in one of our most popular exams. Our Acting Exam learners develop their vocal, physical and interpretive skills while they delve into characters and explore the background of dramatic texts. Alongside producing authentic performances of their chosen scenes, they also gain an understanding of the context and characters within them. Working through the grades takes our learners through the development of clear speaking and character portrayal to an understanding of a playwright’s style, the influence of theatre practitioners such as Stanislavski and a sensitive appreciation of subtext. Learners can take their exam in a solo, duologue or combined format. The combined format is available for Level 1 and 2 Exams only. Solo: one learner delivers two monologues on their own (three monologues for Grades 7 and 8) Duologue: two learners perform two duologues (three duologues for Grade 7 and 8) Combined: two learners perform one monologue each and one duologue together (three scenes in total).

For those with creative flair, learners showcase their imagination from ideas through to performance. For those that want to make their own work, our Devising Drama exams allow learners to create their own scenes from scratch. Provided with a list of themes to pick from, learners create the characters and write the scripts themselves. As they progress to the higher grades, learners will develop an understanding of dramatic structure and staging, using movement and mood, style and space. For their Level Three exams, learners will also perform short improvised scenes – unplanned and unscripted. Learners can either take their Devising Drama exams by themselves (solo) or in a pair with a fellow learner (duologue).

From speeches to sonnets, explore the work of William Shakespeare in our suite of exams dedicated to the Bard. LAMDA’s Shakespeare qualification is designed for learners who wish to explore the work of the world’s most famous writer in the English language. With a syllabus based around the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare, these exams encourage a deep immersion into Shakespeare’s words and the development of the technical skills required to perform them confidently and creatively. At Levels Two and Three, learners can either take the exam by themselves (solo) or in a pair (duologue).

Learners gain the skills to bring words on a page to life by creating a compelling themed recital. Learners taking their Reading for Performance exams are exploring the art of bringing a book to life. They are building performances around themes, selecting texts and forming them into an engaging recital by linking the works with their own words. Their performances are animated and imaginative and designed to draw in an audience by using movement and vocals to reflect the contrasting text. At Level Three, learners are using their research skills to prepare their recital, and also responding to texts immediately as they sight-read during their exams.

Learners gain the skills to bring words on a page to life by creating a compelling themed recital. Learners taking their Reading for Performance exams are exploring the art of bringing a book to life. They are building performances around themes, selecting texts and forming them into an engaging recital by linking the works with their own words. Their performances are animated and imaginative and designed to draw in an audience by using movement and vocals to reflect the contrasting text. At Level Three, learners are using their research skills to prepare their recital, and also responding to texts immediately as they sight-read during their exams.

Develop the confidence to deliver powerful and engaging speeches, as you build the foundations of effective public speaking. Speaking in Public exams prepare our learners for a task that daunts so many people. Learners write their own speeches, researching the topics, creating visual aids and presenting them from memory (although they can use notecards, if they prefer). As they progress through the grades they will develop the ability to speak clearly and project their voice for an audience. They’ll discover the techniques they require to engage an audience and to structure their speech effectively. At the higher graders, learners will be asked to create an impromptu speech with minimal preparation.

Combining written and practical assessment, our Certificate in Speech and Drama allows learners to take their performance studies even further. This qualification is for those learners who want to take their acting and performance studies further. Combining both a written assessment (Unit One), in the form of a portfolio of evidence, and a practical element (Unit Two), this exam delves into the process and preparation, as well the performance, of a recital. After drawing together their research in the portfolio of evidence, learners are able to demonstrate their technical skills in verse and prose recitation, and in acting as they perform a scene from a play.