Why we do exams at Totally Tumbling And Tricks
Acrobatics exams hold significant importance in our program as they are a meaningful way to acknowledge
and reward the dedication and effort our students put into their classes. While the prospect of exams might
seem a bit intimidating to some, it is essential to emphasise that our examination process is designed to be a
friendly and encouraging experience. Beyond acrobatic skills, our studio values the development of life skills, and exams play a vital role in this aspect. They provide each student with a unique opportunity to focus on their
individual growth, enhancing their flexibility, strength, balance, and acrobatic skills. This personalised
attention is particularly valuable, as much of our regular training is team-oriented. The exam levels
encourage the importance of skill progression, placing a strong emphasis on ensuring that technique is
correct and that skills are performed safely before advancing to more challenging ones. By participating in
exams, our students not only build a solid foundation for adulthood but also learn the value of patience,
dedication, and the importance of mastering fundamental skills before moving on to more complex and
demanding acrobatics, ensuring their safety and success. This process instils a sense of achievement,
confidence, and a commitment to lifelong learning and skill development.
IMPORTANT DATES
Exam date - April 13th 2025
Held at Totally Tumbling And Tricks
FAQS
DOES MY CHILD NEED TO DO THE EXAM?
If your child will be in year one or higher in 2025 and wants to join or continue being part of our performance team, they are required to participate in the acrobatic exam.
WHAT LEVEL WILL MY CHILD DO?
Based on your child's age and skill level, they may be between primary level and level 6. We will determine the most suitable level for them to achieve the best results. However, we will only allow students to participate in the exam if we believe they are ready to pass. All students have been practising their exam skills in class.
MY CHILD IS NERVOUS ABOUT EXAMS
It's entirely natural for students to feel a touch of nervousness when it comes to taking exams, and in fact, it can be an excellent quality because it reflects the significance of the occasion to them. Often, these nerves stem from uncertainty and not knowing exactly what to expect. At our studio, we understand these feelings, and we consider them part of the learning process. In the coming weeks leading up to the exams, we address this in our classes. We ensure that our students have a clear understanding of the skills required for each level, demystifying the exam process. To alleviate their concerns, we conduct mock exams, where Miss Tracy plays the role of the examiner. While no marks are given during these practice exams, she offers valuable feedback to each child. This approach helps our students feel more at ease and prepared for the actual examination, allowing them to showcase their abilities and progress with confidence.
DOES MY CHILD DO THEIR EXAM BY THEMSELVES?
No. Students do their level in a group of up to 4 other students.
HOW LONG DO EXAMS TAKE?
It takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on what level they are in
HOW OFTEN DO THEY DO EXAMS?
We do exams once a year, approximately the same time of year and are always in late January/early February.
WHO DOES THE ADJUDICATION FOR THE EXAMS?
The adjudication for our exams is carried out by an external examiner entirely independent of Totally Tumbling And Tricks. This examiner is an expert in acrobatics and is highly trained in the acrobatic arts syllabus, an internationally recognised program. Their role is to ensure that the exam process is fair, objective, and in line with the standards set by the international program. They provide an impartial evaluation of each student's performance, taking into account the specific criteria and expectations outlined in the syllabus. This external and unbiased assessment ensures that our students receive a thorough and credible evaluation of their skills and progress.
CAN MY CHILD FAIL AN EXAM?
While there is a possibility that a child may not perform as well as they'd like in an exam, it's essential to emphasise that the likelihood of outright failure is highly unlikely. To "fail" the exam, a student would typically need to not participate or refuse to attempt the required skills. We stress the expectation that perfection is not the objective for every skill; rather, it's about personal progress and improvement. In our exams, children are assessed on each skill, and the marks are not solely based on whether they achieve a perfect score. Some skills may receive a 5/5, while other skills might earn a 2/5 or any other combination. These marks are then totalled to provide a final mark, reflecting the overall effort and performance of the child.
WHAT ARE THE COST OF THE EXAM?
Primary -$100
Level 1 - $100
Leve 2 - $110
Level 3- $120
Level 4- $120
Level 5 - $120
Level 6 - $130
WHAT OTHER COSTS ARE INVOLVED?
The other costs involved are the mock exam, approximately $20 and a back leotard if you don't already have one. You can get one from Best and Less for $10 but it can also be purchased from Target or Kmart for a similar price.