Student Medal Tests

Medal tests provide a useful teaching tool. Students who commit to the scrutiny of an Examiner will work harder to eliminate faults and to master problem areas in their dancing. Tests under the auspices of the American International Dancers Association will add prestige to and help develop the image of the sponsoring studio, signifying a school that trains its teachers and students to a high standard. To be a part of such a studio gives the student an additional sense of pride and loyalty. The testing experience, the written critique, the certificate, the medal, all combine to give an amateur concrete recognition of their accomplishments, which they might otherwise miss by merely coming in for a weekly lesson. Sometimes a good student will become discouraged because their perception is that they are not improving. The steady measurement of progress with the Medal Test Program will remedy this problem.

If you have any unanswered questions, contact our Exam Director at: exams@aidadance.org. Further contact information is listed in the Departments section of the Officers of AIDA page.

Professional Exams

From the standpoint of the individual teacher, or studio owner, there are a number of specific reasons for holding exams:

• Examinations offer a perfect goal-directed program, which will allow students who are interested in teaching to progress toward their chosen profession of teaching dance. Working toward a specific exam provides an excellent motive to maintain a candidate’s active involvement with lessons.
• Each examination in any given style must be taken in strict order, with the Associate (Bronze) exam being taken before the Member (Silver) exam, and both of those before the Fellow (Gold) exam. Each added accreditation is another step forward in the candidate's journey to becoming a well-trained professional dance instructor.