Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
We’re pleased to share that as of September 1st, 2024, we’ve consolidated all previous recorded digital exam guides into a single, newly-updated PAA Recorded Digital Exam Guidance document. For more details, please click the button below or visit the downloads section.
Performing Arts
Recorded Video & Live Stream Examinations
PAA graded exams can now be assessed digitally across our suite of qualifications thanks to Recorded Video and Live Stream Digital Exams. These digital solutions are our commitment to making PAA graded exams as accessible as possible.
Performing Arts Recorded Digital Exams
Recorded Digital Exams give you the ability to pre-record your exam submissions via video and upload them to our online portal to be assessed by our expert examining panel.
Schools or venues can submit Recorded Digital Exams (RDEs) at all grades in Musical Theatre, Jazz Dance, Street Dance and Acting. In addition, RDEs in Acting can be submitted by individuals. Note that Screen Acting Exams are only available via recorded video (schools, venues or individuals).
Musical Theatre
(2-8 candidates per RDE)
Jazz and Street Dance
(3-8 candidates per RDE)
Acting
(1-3 candidates per RDE)
Screen Acting
(1 or 2 candidates per RDE)
Public Speaking
(Solo candidate)
How it works
For PAA Recorded Digital Exams to be valid, there are a number of rules that must be adhered to. It is important that candidates and teachers read the guidance relevant to the exam being taken before applying for a recorded video exam. Please read the information and download the guidance below.
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In order for Recorded Digital Examinations to be valid, there are a number of rules that must be adhered to:
- Video file size: The current file size limit is 2GB per exam. For Screen Acting exams, the file size limit for all videos in one exam is 2GB. Please note that if a file exceeds this limit the applicant will be asked to resend the video(s) in a smaller file size.*
- The title of the video file must include the name of the school/organisation or, in the case of Acting, Screen Acting or Public Speaking exams, the name of the candidate(s).
- The exam needs to be captured as a single, continuous shot in real time – you must not stop or pause the camera in between pieces.
- You must not use video editing software to cut out takes or reduce the time between exam components – the video should represent an exam taken in person as closely as possible.
- Your face must be visible in the video, so we can identify the person taking the exam – please refer to the framing guide for further details.
- Candidates should introduce themselves by their full name, the exam grade and discipline they are taking, as well as introducing each piece.
- For Grades 6-8 candidates should clearly display for at least ten seconds valid photographic identification (such as Passport, Driving Licence, Student Union Card, ID Card) at the start of the video recording in line with our policy.
- A chaperone must be present in the exam room, responsible for ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of the candidate(s). The camera operator may assume the role of chaperone. However, this person is not permitted to interact with the candidate(s) or intervene in the exam, except to introduce the candidate(s), and/or in an emergency.
- Check the video recording of your exam carefully before submission, making sure that each candidate and exam component has been introduced to camera, the picture and sound are of reasonable quality and that the full exam has been captured.
*If you find you need to reduce the size of your video, you will need to encode the video. RSL recommends using the free video encoding software HandBrake (available for both Windows and Mac) to do this. This software can be downloaded from HandBrake website.
To encode your video, please complete the following steps:
- Open HandBrake
- Select the video file you wish to reduce in size
- Select ‘Presets’, ‘General’ and then ‘Very Fast 480p’
- Ensure that the video is set to export as a .mp4 type
- In the bottom right corner of the program, select ‘Browse’
- Select the folder you wish the encoded video to be exported to and enter a name for the video
- Select ‘Start encode’ at the top of the program
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In the event that your recorded video exam submission cannot be marked because guidelines have not been followed correctly, the video will be returned to the applicant for resubmission.
Examples of this include:
- the video file exceeds the maximum limit of 2GB*
- audio and/or video quality is not sufficient for the examiner to be able to make a reliable assessment
- part of the video file is missing (eg. video cuts off too early)
- the video has been edited (eg. separate takes spliced together)
- audio does not appear to synchronise visually with the candidate’s performance
- another person is offering prompting and advice to the candidate
- insufficient / inadequate assessment vantage for the examiner (see Framing & Audio Guide)
- the candidate’s face is not visible / we are unable identify the person taking the exam
For other infringement issues, such as missing or incomplete components of the exam, examiners will mark on an ‘as seen’ basis and marking will be affected, reflecting the extent to which the outcomes of the exam were impacted by the infringement.
*If you find you need to reduce the size of your video, you will need to encode the video. RSL recommends using the free video encoding software HandBrake (available for both Windows and Mac) to do this. This software can be downloaded from HandBrake website.
To encode your video, please complete the following steps:
- Open HandBrake
- Select the video file you wish to reduce in size
- Select ‘Presets’, ‘General’ and then ‘Very Fast 480p’
- Ensure that the video is set to export as a .mp4 type
- In the bottom right corner of the program, select ‘Browse’
- Select the folder you wish the encoded video to be exported to and enter a name for the video
- Select ‘Start encode’ at the top of the program
Resources
For further recorded video exam information specific to each PAA discipline, please download the relevant guidance and example script from the list here.
PAA Recorded Digital Exam Guide (UPDATE Sept. 2024)
pdf
762.8 KB
Musical Theatre PAA Recorded Digital Exams Example Script
pdf
198.3 KB
PAA Acting – Recorded Digital Exams Example Script
pdf
200.6 KB
Street Dance – Recorded Digital Exams Example Script
pdf
223.4 KB
PAA Jazz Dance – Recorded Digital Exams Example Script
pdf
212.1 KB
RSL Awards assumes no liability for damage to property or injury sustained by any candidate or staff member while participating in video examinations.
Performing Arts Live Streamed Exams
RSL Awards are offering Live Stream Video Exams (LSE) for all PAA graded exams, including; Musical Theatre, Acting, Screen Acting, Public Speaking, Jazz Dance, and Street Dance. Live stream digital exam entries will only be accepted from schools/exam venues (currently not available for individual entries).
Live Streamed Exams (LSE) are available for schools and exam centres for all disciplines, in all grades, for exams featuring between 1-8 candidates. (Please refer to the relevant LSE guides below for exact requirements).
How it works
PAA live stream grade exams are conducted via online video conference using Zoom, between the candidates at the exam venue and the examiner based at another location.
Full guidance will be provided on application; however, as a general guide, PAA live stream exam content is exactly the same as the specifications in the syllabus, with the following conditions…
Venues are responsible for ensuring the welfare of candidates throughout the live video examination, including provision of:
Adequate Space
An adequately sized space for the examination to safely take place, with plenty of room for all scenes, musical numbers and dance movements, appropriate to the number of candidates
Safe Flooring
Flooring which is safe for dancing on and offers the dancer some cushioning on impact, such as sprung or vinyl flooring manufactured to industry standards, which is clean and free from debris, spillages, and any other hazards. RSL Awards assumes no liability for damage to property or injury sustained by any candidate or staff member while participating in live video examinations
A Chaperone
A chaperone, (in addition to the music operator) to be present throughout the live video examination, responsible for ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of the candidates. Centres must ensure that all current safeguarding protocols are adhered to
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- There must be a minimum of two and a maximum of eight candidates per live video examination, and the principal/teacher must ensure that all candidates are fully and equally visible to the examiner. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the examiner can easily see the whole room in which the candidates will perform, including surrounding areas
- All candidates must be visible throughout the examination, including moments when they are offstage. This is to ensure that each and every candidate’s performance can be seen from start to finish, including entrances and exits
- To ensure the above, it is permissible to split candidates into smaller groups
- The music operator and chaperone must also be visible to the examiner. They must not be positioned out of shot
- Quiet, private location in a walled room
- Bright lighting (day light or artificial light), ideally illuminating the candidates from their front
- The room should not be highly reverberant. If there are areas/pockets of the room where audibility or visibility is compromised (e.g. due to the shape), candidates should not perform in these areas
- If the dance, or part of the dance, is performed in lines, teachers must ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to be positioned in the front line, or downstage area, for at least part of the routine
- A maximum of two non-exam students are permitted to take part in live video examinations
- An audience is permitted, with restrictions – please see the guidance document for full details.
If your school is new to PAA and you are interested in live Stream Digital Exams, you will need to set up an account.
For full details on how to book your students for a PAA live stream graded exams, including technical requirements and application process, please contact paa@rslawards.com.
Resources
For further live stream exam information specific to each PAA discipline, please download the relevant guidance and example script from the list here.
RSL Awards assumes no liability for damage to property or injury sustained by any candidate or staff member while participating in video examinations.
Musical Theatre Free Choice Pieces
If singing is chosen for the Technical Skills Demonstration component, see our suggested repertoire lists and how you can source your own music.
Need more info?
Please visit our PAA FAQ page to find some useful information to help you get started.
Book your PAA exam!
PAA examinations are open all year round and can be scheduled to fit with your existing programme.
