Acting
Qualification Suite
Performance
Levels
Entry Level, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Regulatory Status
Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation
Assessment Format
Available in-person and online
About the exam
Through this qualification, learners develop vocal, physical and interpretive skills, with a particular focus on exploring characters and the background of dramatic texts. Working through the grades supports learners to develop clarity of expression, characterisation and confidence performing.
While discovering how to produce authentic performances of their chosen scenes, they also gain a deeper understanding of the context and characters within – such as the influence of theatre practitioners like Stanislavski, an awareness of a playwright’s style, or a sensitive appreciation of subtext.
Exam structure
Learners can take their exam in a solo, duologue or combined format. For a larger number of learners, visit the Group Acting qualification to allow a group to take the exam together.
- 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). Available for Level One and Two exams only.
Type of exam:
Solo or Duologue
Time allowance:
Solo: 10 minutes
Duologue: 15 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing one own choice scene from memory
- Answering questions related to their performance
For full details, use the Performance Graded Exams Syllabus (2024).
Type of exam:
Solo, Duologue or Combined
Time allowance:
Solo: 15 minutes
Duologue: 25 minutes
Combined: 25 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing one set scene and one own choice scene from memory
- Answering questions related to their performances
For full details, use the Performance Graded Exams Syllabus (2024).
Type of exam:
Solo, Duologue or Combined
Time allowance:
Solo: 20 minutes
Duologue: 35 minutes
Combined: 35 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing one set scene and one own choice scene from memory
- Answering questions related to their performances
For full details, use the Performance Graded Exams Syllabus (2024).
Type of exam:
Solo or Duologue
Time allowance:
Grade 6: Solo: 25 minutes, Duologue: 40 minutes
Grade 7: Solo: 30 minutes, Duologue: 45 minutes
Grade 8: Solo: 30 minutes, Duologue: 50 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing two own choice scenes at Grade 6 and three scenes at Grades 7 and 8 (scenes must be selected from a published play or television/film screenplay, within specified time periods)
- Answering questions related to their performance
For full details, use the Performance Graded Exams Syllabus (2024).
