Qualifications FAQs

What examinations does WIDA offer?

WIDA offers examinations for the TCRG (step dance teacher) and TMRF (ceili dance teacher) qualifications (minimum candidate age: 16, minimum completion age: 18). Alternatively, candidates can go through the grade system (Grades 1-11, minimum candidate age 7 to begin grades, 18 for grades 10 & 11), by the end of which candidates will be awarded their TMRF (Grade 10) and TCRG (Grade 11) certificates. Candidates must hold both the TCRG and TMRF qualifications and have 2 years’ teaching experience to apply to the ADCRG (adjudicator) training programme. Only qualified ADCRGs can be subsequently selected at WIDA’s discretion to participate in the SGD (Grade Examiner – scrúdaitheair grad damhsa) and MRS (múinteoirí rince scrúdaitheair) training programmes.


When are the application deadlines for exams?

The application deadline is usually at least one month before the exam date (the precise date will be advertised before the exam session). Dates can vary on a regional basis – to ensure we have adequate time for booking examiner travel and accommodation as well as for processing applications. It is imperative to know how many people are taking part so that we can plan appropriately.


Are late applications accepted?

Only in exceptional circumstances – i.e. if slots are still available in the exam session. To guarantee that your application is accepted, apply on time!


How do I apply for exams and Seminars?

You can apply for exams and seminars online by filling out the Exam and Seminar Registration form.


When and How do I pay for exams?

You have to pay the fees in full by credit card when registering for the exams. It is no longer possible to pay on the day or subsequent to registration or taking the exam.


What do I need to learn for my exams?

Please see the WIDA examination syllabi and the WIDA Ceili Book, which can be purchased here: https://wida.gofeis.net/product


What should I expect in my exams?

Candidates will be called in to the exam to room in groups where they will dance solos individually in most cases - but will dance them feis style (pick-up system, with multiple dancers in a line). Candidates will then dance their ceilis in their groups. Grade candidates will be called in individually to answer their Irish language and culture questions. All candidates will sit corresponding written exam papers at the same time (subject to timetabling). Although each exam will only take a total of approx. 30mins, please allow half a day to a whole day in case exams are running late, in case the separate parts of your exam are not scheduled consecutively and in case you are needed to dance in someone else’s exam (i.e. in a ceili team). Please ensure that you are available for the entire duration of the exam session (i.e. day or weekend) until the timetable has been released. We cannot always accommodate individual wishes with regard to exam times and will only accommodate particular requests in extenuating circumstances.


What resources can I use for my exams?

WIDA recommends the use of WIDA Ceili Book, which can be purchased here: https://wida.gofeis.net/product


What do I need to wear/bring to my exams?

As you will be dancing, please wear sporty clothing as you would usually wear to dance training and your softshoes & hardshoes. Candidates must wear either the WIDA beginner uniform or plain black with no dance school logos or names on outfits. Where there is a remote examiner, it may also be necessary to take a brightly coloured tshirt to ensure you are easily recognisable during ceilis. 
Please be considerate of other ceili dancers in TMRF/grade exams and ensure nails are an appropriate length so as not to cause any discomfort.
We recommend bringing your ceili book and a personal music player – so you have resources to practice/revise with in waiting times. Please ensure you have water and anything else that you would usually need for dance training. It’s always a good idea to bring a pen for your written exams – just in case!


WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXAMS DUE TO A HEALTH CONDITION, DISABILITY, INJURY OR OTHER EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCE? 

Candidates should use the resources available in the WIDA Docs for Exam Candidates folder (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13nwspumYV0Lhub-ismmnxoQAgTqOGWQq), which includes our Reasonable Adjustments & Special Considerations policy and form. The form should be filled out and submitted to the Examinations Team (widaexamsteam@outlook.com) in advance of an exam session (to ensure that any necessary adjustments can be put in place, including timetabling adjustments). Examiners will review the information provided on the form and agree appropriate measures with the Examinations & Continuing Education Committee. Measures could include the following for example:

  • Ensuring adequate breaks between dances or breaking dances down into smaller chunks 

  • Wearing trainers instead of dance shoes

  • Allowing a candidate to enter the exam room individually

  • A mark adjustment of up to a maximum of 5% of the overall score. 

Reasons for requiring reasonable adjustments and/or special considerations include but are not limited to: health conditions, injuries, disabilities, pregnancy, age, neurodivergence, etc. 


When & how do I get my exam results?

It can take approx.6-8 weeks after your exam date for you to receive your results. It takes this amount of time since the examiners need to compile and consolidate their results (after flying home!) and they need to pass the results on to Anne Westerweg (Examinations Coordinator), who will check (i.e. with regard to previous exam passes/fails & dates of birth, etc.) and update her records before sending the individual results to the respective candidates. Candidates will receive results by e-mail – to the e-mail address that they have submitted with their application. If your e-mail address changes, please notify the Examinations Coordinators ASAP via widaexamsteam@outlook.com. The results will include a letter, an interim certificate for successful candidates and a detailed breakdown of your exam results (including marks for each section and judges comments).


When are certificates awarded?

Certificate award ceremonies are only held for candidates who have successfully passed all four parts of the TCRG/TMRF or have completed ADCRG training. Candidates who have passed an individual part of a TCRG/TMRF qualification are not awarded a certificate, but will be sent a digital certificate with their results. Grade exam candidates will usually receive their certificatess by post to their teachers. Similarly, TCRG/TMRF/ADCRG certificates for candidates who cannot attend the annual award ceremony (usually held at the WIDA World Championships) will be sent their certificates by post. Please ensure you have provided the correct address with your application and/or notify the Examinations Coordinator (widaexamsteam@outlook.com) if your address has changed. Candidates due certificate awards will be notified before the ceremony. If you are due a certificate and have not received one, please contact Anne Westerweg (Examinations Coordinator).


What happens if I fail my exams?

If you fail your exams, you may apply to resit them. Exam fees will not be refunded for candidates who have failed their exams. Resits will be subject to the same fees as the original exams. In some cases for grade 8-11, TCRG and TMRF exams, candidates may only fail one part of an exam (i.e. pass written part and fail practical, or vice versa). In these cases, candidates must re-enter the exam but may only have to resit the section that they have failed (at the discretion of the examiners).


Can I get a refund on my exam application OR DEFER MY ENTRY TO ANOTHER SESSION?

Exam fees, once paid, are non-refundable and non-transferrable, i.e. they cannot be deferred to another session or transferred to another candidate. Exam fees can only be returned or deferred if an exam session is cancelled by WIDA. Please contact the Examinations Officers (widaexamsteam@outlook.com) if you require any further information.


CAN I TAKE MY EXAM ONLINE INSTEAD OF TRAVELLING TO AN EXAM CENTRE? 

In most cases, no. WIDA values the opportunity for networking with other new teachers/candidates as part of the exam experience. We believe this is an important part of welcoming new teachers into the WIDA family and passing on the WIDA values. Moreover, exam candidates benefit from the support network with other teachers and candidates on the day and often form study groups etc in advance. 

We do host remote exams in order to ensure we can hold exams in locations where we have fewer candidates. In these cases an examiner is remote, but the candidates are present at the exam centre, so that all candidates world-wide have a similar exam experience. 

The only scenario in which a digital exam may be permitted is where holding the exam is essential to WIDA’s development in a region (continent) where we do not have enough candidates to hold live exams. 


Where can I find the contact details for the Exam Coordinators/my Regional Development Representative etc.?

Please see the contacts page.

 
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