5 top tips on taking exams

Know your syllabus!

Firstly read the guidelines and syllabus of the examination board you are taking. Study the section that is relevant to your grade. They may provide you with pieces to select from for Acting exams or it may be left up to you, but read the guidelines carefully. Musical Theatre examination boards sometimes have a suggested songs list. Use this and look at other songs in the same era. 

​​

Understand your Character

Once you have selected your pieces, look at the character, think about their backstory. Start by purchasing the play script or screenplay the piece comes from. If it is Musical Theatre watch the Musical or read the play script. Get a good understanding of the characters journey in the play or musical. Take information from the script about the character and start to answer the following questions: Who am I?, What do I want?, Where am I?, Why is my character doing this? When is it? (Time/era/day/season) 

​

Work on the piece

Once you have answered the above questions, work through the piece bit by bit. Layer the text with colour with actions, facial expression, gesture and emotions. 

Establish the scene

When you move onto blocking for the piece, establish your space. The Examiner should know where you are before you speak. And remember when we move on stage this must always be for a reason. 

​

Be the character!

Lastly, you must portray life as it is actually lived on stage. Always keep up the imaginary wall between yourself and the examiner. Perform to your wider audience and if the scene requires you to be talking to others in the scene connect with them through eye level. If you see who you are performing to, so will the examiner and audience. .