Shakespeare
New Syllabi Now Available
The revised Shakespeare for Performance syllabi is now available to download below. This new syllabi is available for teaching from September 2023, with first examination valid from January 2024.
All learners wishing to sit the previous qualification must ensure their examination is scheduled to take place on or before 31 December 2023.
About the Shakespeare exam
LAMDA’s Shakespeare qualification is designed for learners who wish to explore the work of the world’s most famous writer in the English language.
With a syllabus based around the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare, these exams encourage a deep immersion into Shakespeare’s words and the development of the technical skills required to perform them confidently and creatively.
At Levels Two and Three, learners can either take the exam by themselves (solo) or in a pair (duologue).
Teaching the Shakespeare exam
Find Teacher Support Materials for this examination on our Download Centre.
LAMDA is recognised to award qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), in Wales by Qualifications Wales (QiW), and in Northern Ireland by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
All Solo Shakespeare exams are available online. Find out how to book here.
What does the exam involve?
Type of exam: Solo
Time allowance: 15 minutes
- Performing one speech from memory, taken from a play by William Shakespeare
- Answering questions about the performance
Please see the syllabus for full details.
Type of exam: Solo or Duo
Time allowance: Solo: 20 minutes, Duologue: 30 minutes
- Performing two scenes from memory, taken from different plays by William Shakespeare, as detailed in the syllabus
- Answering questions related to the performance
Please see the syllabus for full details.
Type of exam: Solo or Duo
Time allowance: Solo: 30 minutes, Duologue: 40 minutes
- Two scenes from memory, taken from different plays by William Shakespeare
- One sonnet as detailed in the syllabus
- Answering questions about the performance
Please see the syllabus for full details.
Requirements
Full details of the requirements, assessment criteria and regulations can be found in the LAMDA Shakespeare for Performance Examinations syllabi.
New syllabi valid for examinations taken from 1 January 2024:
Syllabus valid for examinations taken until 31 December 2023:
Resources & Teaching Materials
How to find the set pieces for each exam
The list of set pieces for each Exam can be found in the corresponding syllabi for each exam. You can download the syllabi as a free pdf via our Download Centre or visit our online shop.
We are unable to verify the suitability of own choice pieces, please refer to the Exam Content and Assessment and Grading Criteria detailed for the exam subject and grade entered.
What syllabi will I need for this exam?
All our syllabi listed below are available for free via download, or you can purchase our full range of publications from our online shop.
You will need:
- Shakespeare Examinations Syllabus
These might also be useful:
- Teacher support material graded examinations in Shakespeare, available via our Download Centre.
- Knowledge Matters Volume 3
