If your dancer has an RAD exam coming up and you are staring at the enrolment note wondering exactly which leotard, tights and shoes to buy, take a breath. The RAD sets clear requirements for each level, and once you know your dancer's grade and confirm the details with the teacher, matching the uniform is simple. Here is how the RAD grades fit together so it all makes sense.
How the RAD grades are structured
The Royal Academy of Dance runs a graded ladder that most Australian studios follow. Broadly, it goes like this:
- Pre-Primary in Dance and Primary in Dance, the gentle first steps for our youngest dancers.
- Grades 1 through 8, the main graded ballet journey that builds year by year.
- Vocational levels from Intermediate Foundation upward (Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and 2), for more serious students, often taken alongside the graded work.
Your dancer will usually sit one level at a time, and the teacher decides when they are ready. The important thing for uniform is that each level has its own set requirement, so a Grade 2 dancer and a Grade 5 dancer will not be dressed the same.
Why I cannot just tell you the colour
This is the part parents most want a quick answer to, and I have to be honest with you. The RAD allocates a specific leotard colour to each level, and it also sets the tights, shoes and any extras. Those choices belong to the RAD, they differ from grade to grade, and they are updated over time. So if I named a colour here it could be wrong for your dancer's level or out of date by exam season. Please always confirm the exact current requirement with your teacher or the official RAD syllabus, then bring it to us and we will match it precisely.
What an RAD exam uniform generally involves
While the specifics are set per grade, the categories are consistent, so you know the sorts of things you will be gathering:
- A leotard in the colour the RAD allocates for that level.
- The required tights for the grade (style and shade are specified).
- Ballet shoes in the correct type for your dancer.
- Hair in a neat, secure classical bun, off the face and off the neck.
- For some grades, a character skirt and character shoes as well.
The character skirt and shoes catch a lot of families out, because they only apply at certain levels. That is another reason to check with the teacher rather than assume, so you are not buying something your grade does not need, or missing something it does.
Getting it right, step by step
- Confirm the grade. Ask the teacher exactly which RAD level your dancer is sitting this year.
- Get the exact requirement. Ask for the RAD colour name and item list for that grade, or check the current RAD syllabus.
- Check the fit early. Leotards and shoes should fit on exam day, not two sizes ago, so measure with time to spare.
- Bring it to us. With the grade and colour in hand, we will match every piece and sort the bun accessories too.
If you would like the bigger picture of how RAD sits alongside other examining boards, our exam uniform guide for Australia covers that. And for the all-important tidy bun, our step-by-step ballet bun guide will see you right.
Bring us the colour and we will pull together the full exam kit, correct to the level.
Shop leotards Shop ballet shoesFrequently asked questions
What does an RAD exam uniform include?
Generally a leotard in the colour the RAD sets for that grade, the required tights, correct ballet shoes and hair in a neat bun. Some grades also need a character skirt and character shoes. Confirm the exact list for your level with your teacher.
Does each RAD grade have a different leotard colour?
Yes. The RAD allocates a specific leotard colour to each level, and these are updated over time, so please confirm the exact current colour for your dancer's grade with your teacher or the official RAD syllabus before you buy.
Do RAD grades have different uniforms?
They do. The requirements vary by level, from Pre-Primary and Primary in Dance through Grades 1 to 8 and the vocational levels, so a younger grade and a senior grade will not be dressed the same.
What do you wear for an RAD ballet exam?
The set leotard for your grade, the required tights and ballet shoes, and a neat classical bun, plus a character skirt and shoes at some levels. Check the precise items for your grade with your teacher, then we can match them.
Where do I find the exact RAD uniform requirements?
From your dance teacher or the current official RAD syllabus. Because the RAD sets and updates these per grade, the teacher or syllabus is always the reliable source, and we are happy to match whatever they specify.
