1. What teacher qualifications do I need to prepare learners for LAMDA Examinations?
2. What information/materials do I need to begin preparing learners?
3. How do I organise an examination session on my own premises for the first time?
4. How do I book an examination session?
5. How do I organise an examination session on my own premises?
6. How can I make entries for LAMDA Examinations?
7. Where can I find a LAMDA teacher?
8. What accreditation/recognition do LAMDA Examinations have?
9. What LAMDA Examinations can be used to gain UCAS points?
10. How many UCAS points will my exams get me?
11. How do I become a LAMDA Examiner?
12. What qualifications do I need to apply for membership of the Association of LAMDA Teachers?
13. How can I become a member of the Association of LAMDA Teachers?
14. Where can I get information about LAMDA Examinations’ workshops?
15. Does LAMDA run any competitions for learners?
16. How old does a person have to be to take LAMDA Examinations?
17. I live overseas. Are there any LAMDA Examinations in my country?
18. Does LAMDA Examinations produce any materials to support the examinations?
19. I have submitted my entries. When can I expect to receive timetables and report cards?
20. Is it possible for me to enter my learners online?
21. My examination session has just taken place. When can I expect my results and certificates?
22. I’ve lost my certificate, can I get a replacement?
23. What do I do if a learner is ill on the day of the exam?
24. Can a learner change the time of an examination?
25. If a learner is no longer able to attend an examination, can (s)he get a refund?
1. What teacher qualifications do I need to prepare learners for LAMDA Examinations?
At present there are no specific teacher qualifications laid down by LAMDA Examinations. However, one can never underestimate the importance of relevant teacher qualifications and many employers would insist on them, in varying degrees, particularly if you are looking to offer examination preparation in a school.
For those interested in gaining a specialist qualification, we do offer the LAMDA Diploma in Speech and Drama Education (LSDE). The LSDE is a Level 5 accredited qualification, which makes it the same level as a non-Honours Bachelors degree. It is a distance-learning qualification and other than the required teaching practice, can be completed from home. However, the LSDE is a comprehensive qualification and we would advise working with a tutor/mentor who is a qualified teacher. Click here to download the LSDE syllabus (valid from 1 Jan 2011).
2. What information/materials do I need to begin preparing learners?
Each examination has a syllabus, which can be downloaded by clicking here. In preparing learners, it is essential that you read the syllabus for the requisite grade carefully, to ensure that the learner is fully prepared to enter the examination.
In addition to the syllabus, there are two anthologies, one which contains the mandatory selections for Speaking Verse and Prose and one which contains the mandatory selections for the Acting examinations. These Anthologies can be purchased from our online shop by clicking here. For teachers preparing learners for Speaking Verse and Prose, the text book Knowledge Matters, which contains the information learners will be asked in the examinations, is also an essential publication.
You will also need to read and fully understand the Guide for Centres and Teachers. This document contains all the information you need in order to begin entering learners for LAMDA examinations . Please click here to download the Guide for Centres and Teachers from the Downloads page.
3. How do I organise an examination session on my own premises for the first time?
If you have a large number of learners and the total of your examination fees comes to over £550, you can ask to set up a private centre on your own premises. This will allow you to have the examination session on a day(s) that suits you (unless your preferred dates are not available) in your choice of suitable venue.
If you would like to register as a private centre, please click here to download a New Centre Registration form. You will need to complete this form with information about the venue, the details of a named coordinator and information about the centre.
Once this form is returned to LAMDA Examinations, we will set up a new private centre for you, with a six letter centre code. This centre code will be unique to your centre and should be used in all future correspondence with LAMDA Examinations.
4. How do I book an examination session?
For centres that have previously registered you will need to request a date. Please click here to download a Date Booking Form. Date requests should be received by LAMDA Examinations ideally at least three months before the requested date. A booking fee of £50.00 is to be paid with date requests for each separate session you are booking. This fee should then be deducted by you when entering learners for the examinations and submitting examination fees.
When booking a session, please clearly state the estimated examining hours. Please note that examiners will examine for a maximum of 6.5 hours per day plus breaks.
You are required to indicate three alternative dates for your session. Please note that LAMDA Examinations has a maximum number of examiners available at any one time. If we receive your date request and no more examiners are available on your proposed day(s), you will be asked to request another date.
For further guidance on booking examination sessions please click here to download the Date Booking Guide – Private Centre.
5. I only have a small number of learners. How do I enter them?
If you have a small number of learners, or do not have an appropriate venue, we have a number of public centre sessions that take place throughout the year. For these sessions, there is no minimum fee required and you can enter as few or as many learners as you choose. For details of where and when the public centres are held, please click here to download the current Public Centre Date List.
6. How can I make entries for LAMDA Examinations?
If you are holding your own session on your premises and have booked an examination session, you must complete and send in a Private Centre Bulk Entry Timetable form, which contains the details of all learners taking examinations, along with the fees for the examinations. This must be received by LAMDA Examinations at least six weeks before the examination date. Alternatively, you can enter your learners using the Online Entry System (OES). For further details on OES, please click here to visit the OES page.
Sessions will be scheduled according to the information you submit and in the order that your learners are presented to us. Timetables and report cards will be despatched a minimum of 14 days before the scheduled examination date.
For Public Centres, you will need to complete an entry form for each solo learner or pair and each examination subject and grade that the learner(s) are taking (if he or she is taking more than one exam). These forms must then be sent in, along with the fees, by the closing date for that session, which is listed on the Public Centre Date List. Timetables and report cards will be despatched at least 14 days before the scheduled examination session, with the date and time of the exam and the address of the examination venue.
7. Where can I find a LAMDA teacher?
LAMDA Examinations has a membership association, the Association of LAMDA Teachers (AoLT), which is made up of teachers who hold either a LAMDA Examinations teaching qualification or another accredited UK Level 5 teaching qualification. Please click here to go to the Association of LAMDA Teachers page, where you can download the register of Association members. Any of the teachers on this register can be contacted for enquiries about lessons.
We accept membership applications from teachers outside of the UK. However teaching qualifications from overseas must be equivalent to UK Level 5. Please contact LAMDA Examinations for further details.
Please note that the Association of LAMDA Teachers is a membership association only. Teachers who are members of the Association are in no way endorsed by or affiliated to LAMDA Examinations.
8. What accreditation/recognition does LAMDA Examinations have?
LAMDA Examinations qualifications are accredited by the regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a credit-based qualifications framework, allowing a unit-based approach to building qualifications. All vocational qualifications will be placed on to the QCF, which replaced the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) in December 2010.
The QCF is a new way of recognising learners’ skills and qualifications. It does this by awarding credit for units or small steps of learning. It enables people to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes. One credit represents 10 hours of learning time. Learning time is the amount of time a learner at the level of the unit is expected to take, on average, to complete the learning outcomes of the unit to the standard defined by the assessment criteria. Learning time includes all the time needed to achieve a unit, including directed study, homework, assessment time and preparation time.
Qualifications accredited within the QCF:
- Level 1 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Speaking Verse and Prose
- Level 2 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Speaking Verse and Prose
- Level 3 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Speaking Verse and Prose
- Level 1 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Reading for Performance
- Level 2 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Reading for Performance
- Level 3 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Reading for Performance
- Level 1 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Using Spoken English
- Level 2 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Using Spoken English
- Level 3 – Graded Examinations in Communication: Speaking in Public
- Level 1 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Acting (Solo/Duo/Combined)
- Level 2 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Acting (Solo/Duo/Combined)
- Level 3 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Acting (Solo/Duo)
- Level 1 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Devising Drama (Solo/Duo)
- Level 2 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Devising Drama (Solo/Duo)
- Level 3 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Devising Drama (Solo/Duo)
- Level 1 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Miming (Solo/Duologue)
- Level 2 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Miming (Solo/Duologue)
- Level 3 – Graded Examinations in Performance: Miming (Solo/Duologue)
- Level 1: Graded Examinations in Musical Theatre for the Actor/Singer (Solo/Duologue)
- Level 2: Graded Examinations in Musical Theatre for the Actor/Singer (Solo/Duologue)
- Level 3: Graded Examinations in Musical Theatre for the Actor/Singer (Solo/Duologue)
- Level 3: The LAMDA Certificate in Speech and Drama: Performance Studies (PCertLAM)
- Level 5: The LAMDA Diploma in Speech and Drama Education (LSDE)
9. What LAMDA Examinations can be used to gain UCAS points?
The following LAMDA examinations, accredited at Level 3, can be used to gain UCAS tariff points.
Graded Examinations in Speech: Speaking of Verse and Prose
- Grade 6 – Bronze Medal
- Grade 7 – Silver Medal
- Grade 8 – Gold Medal
Graded Examinations in Speech: Reading for Performance
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
Graded Examinations in Speech (Communication): Speaking in Public
- Grade 6 – Bronze Medal
- Grade 7 – Silver Medal
- Grade 8 – Gold Medal
Graded Examinations in Drama: Acting (Solo/Duologue)
- Grade 6 – Bronze Medal
- Grade 7 – Silver Medal
- Grade 8 – Gold Medal
Graded Examinations in Drama: Devising Drama (Solo/Duologue)
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
Graded Examinations in Drama: Miming (Solo/Duologue)
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
Graded Examinations in Musical Theatre (Solo/Duologue)
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
The LAMDA Certificate in Speech and Drama: Performance Studies (PCertLAM)
Please note that Group examinations are not accredited and will therefore not carry any UCAS tariff points.
10. How many UCAS points will my LAMDA examinations get me?
UCAS points are awarded according to level and attainment within that level. Please click here to see the UCAS points table.
Please note that points will not be awarded cumulatively. Each exam subject, for example Speaking Verse and Prose, is classified as a different qualification. However, each grade within that subject is classified as the same qualification, but at a different level. This means that if a student were to take Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8, it is only the highest attainment that he or she would be awarded points for.
However, if a learner were to take examinations in two different subjects, he or she would be awarded points for both. Each of LAMDA Examinations’ subjects is classified as a different qualification, so students can take examinations in a number of different subjects and be awarded points for each. For example, a student could take Grade 8 in both Speaking Verse and Prose and Acting, achieve a distinction in both and be awarded 130 points (65 points for each qualification).
Learners are advised to check with individual institutions regarding the use of UCAS points gained from LAMDA Examinations, as entry requirements are at the discretion of each individual univeristy.
11. How do I become a LAMDA examiner?
LAMDA Examiners must have specialist subject experience and a recognised teacher qualification. Please click here to contact LAMDA Examinations and request an application form.
12. What qualifications do I need to apply for membership of the Association of LAMDA Teachers?
The Association of LAMDA Teachers is a membership organisation for teachers who hold professional teaching qualifications. If you hold either the previous LLAM Licentiate Teaching Diploma or the LAMDA Diploma in Communication, Speech and Drama Education (LSDE), you can apply to be a Full member. If you hold an accredited Level 5 teaching qualification from another awarding body, you can apply to be an Associate member. Students registered on the LSDE can apply to be a Student Member, with a view to upgrading to a Full Member once the LSDE is completed.
To apply for membership, you must be able to provide proof of your teaching qualification, or in the case of the Student membership, proof that you are registered for the LSDE.
13. How can I become a member of the Association of LAMDA Teachers?
To apply to become a Member of the Association, please click here to download the application form. Please complete this form and send it, along with the annual membership fee, to LAMDA Examinations. Please note that if you are applying for Associate membership, there will also be a one-off charge to verify your qualification.
LAMDA Examinations reserves the right to refuse application to the Association or revoke membership status for existing members if it is deemed necessary.
14. Where can I get information about LAMDA Examinations’ courses and workshops?
A number of workshops are held throughout the year. The content of these workshops is generally focused on specific areas of the syllabuses and is often aligned with new examinations. These workshops are held in a number of regional locations and vary from half-day day workshops to two-day conferences.
In addition to the regional courses, we also offer a week of workshops based in London during the summer. These workshops cover a range of different subjects that are of interest to our centres and teachers worldwide and the seminars are led by LAMDA Examinations trainers, LAMDA practitioners and/or industry specialists.
Delegates who attend full sessions either at the regional or summer workshops will receive a Certificate of Attendance, which may be used by teachers as evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
For information about current LAMDA Examinations workshops please continue to check the website for updates, by going to the UK Centres/Teachers tab and clicking on workshops.
15. Does LAMDA offer any awards or competitions for learners?
LAMDA Examinations offers cumulative qualifications called the LAMDA Graded Examinations: Joint Qualifications which can be awarded in either the Communication or Performance category. LAMDA Exams runs annual Communication and Performance Competition based on achievement in the Joint Qualifications. The Graded Examinations: Joint Qualifications recognise and reward by credit accumulation learners who successfully achieve 3 constituent parts of any of the levels shown below within the timeframe of 24 months from the date of the first examination. The level of the joint qualification will be determined by the lowest grade accumulated. For learners wishing to claim one of these qualifications, please click here to download the claim form.
The LAMDA Graded Examinations: Joint Qualification in Communication Level 2
Learners must achieve Grade 1 or Grade 2 or Grade 3 in:
- Speaking Verse and Prose
- Using Spoken English
- Reading for Performance
The LAMDA Graded Examinations: Joint Qualification in Communication Level 2
Learners must achieve Grade 4 or Grade 5 in:
- Speaking Verse and Prose
- Using Spoken English
- Reading for Performance
The LAMDA Graded Examinations: Joint Qualification in Communication Level 3
Learners must achieve Grade 6 or Grade 7 or Grade 8 in:
- Speaking Verse and Prose
- Speaking in Public
- Reading for Performance
The LAMDA Graded Examinations: Joint Qualification in Performance Level 1
Learners must achieve Grade 1 or Grade 2 or Grade 3 in 3 of the following:
- Acting
- Devising Drama
- Miming
- Musical Theatre
The LAMDA Graded Examinations: Joint Qualification in Performance Level 2
Learners must achieve Grade 4 or Grade 5 3 of the following:
- Acting
- Miming
- Devising Drama
- Musical Theatre
The LAMDA Graded Examinations: Joint Qualification in Performance Level 3
Learners must achieve Grade 6 or Grade 7 or Grade 8 in:
- Acting
- Miming
- Devising Drama
- Musical Theatre
16. How old does a person have to be to take LAMDA Examinations?
LAMDA examinations have no minimum or maximum ages although our guidance is that children should not enter Introductory examinations before the age of 5 years. In order to be deemed capable of taking an Introductory examination a learner must be able to memorise a poem, speak it with expression and hold a conversation in order to be deemed capable of taking one of the Introductory examinations.
LAMDA Examinations also advises that learners should be at least 14 years before attempting examinations at Grade 6, Grade 7 or Grade 8.
17. I live overseas. Are there any LAMDA Examinations in my country?
LAMDA examinations are available in more than 35 countries worldwide. To locate your nearest centre, please click here to visit the international contacts page. If your country is not listed, please click here to contact LAMDA Examinations and we will make arrangements to discuss your requirements.
18. Does LAMDA Examinations produce any materials to support the examinations?
LAMDA Examinations produces a range of publications, to support learners entering our examinations and the teachers who prepare them. The full range of publications and merchandise available can be found in the online shop. Please click here to go directly to the shop.
Publications can be ordered through the online shop, by completing and returning an order form (with full payment) or over the telephone by contacting LAMDA Examinations direct. Please note that telephone orders must be paid for with a credit/debit card and a £1 administration fee will be charged.
19. I have submitted my entries. When can I expect to receive timetables and report cards?
Sessions are scheduled in date order. We despatch information, timetables and report cards to centres at least 14 days before the examination session is scheduled to commence. For full details of LAMDA Examinations' Customer Operating Standards, please click here to download the LAMDA Guide for Centres and Teachers.
20. Is it possible for me to enter my learners online?
LAMDA has an Online Entry System (OES) that allows teachers to enter learners securely online. OES is a faster, more convenient way for you to submit your entries, as it allows you to enter your learners exactly how you would like them to appear on the day and there is little margin for error, as you enter all of the learners yourself. The system also allows schools/teachers to recall previous learner entries by PIN number, thus saving time.
Please note that this service is currenlty available for Private and Overseas Centres but not Public Centres.
If you would like to use the OES, please click here to visit the OES page.
21. My examination session has just taken place. When can I expect my results and certificates?
Results and medals are issued within 6 weeks of the end of the examination session. For full details of LAMDA Examinations' Customer Operating Standards, please click here to download the LAMDA Guide for Centres and Teachers
22. I’ve lost my certificate, can I get a replacement?
Replacement medals or duplicates of certificates are available if the original has been lost. Certificates issued for examinations under the present syllabus (since 1 September 2009) will be issued upon payment of a fee. For examinations taken under previous syllabuses, a letter of attestation can be produced upon payment of a fee.
Please click here to download a Certificate and Medal Requisition form and return it to LAMDA Examinations along with full payment. All UK accredited replacement certificates will have 'Duplicate' printed on them in accordance with the requirements set by the regulator.
23. What do I do if a learner is ill on the day of the exam?
If you are a parent/guardian of a child or an adult taking an exam at a private centre, you must let the centre co-ordinator responsible for that centre know as soon as possible. If you are the parent/guardian of a child or an adult taking an examination at a public centre, you must let the public centre coordinator (details can be found on the Public Centre Date list) know as soon as possible. The teacher/centre will then be responsible for informing the relevant examiner.
LAMDA Examinations will offer a partial refund for learners who are absent due to bereavement or illness, upon receipt of a doctor’s note. This refund will be issued in the form of a Transfer Credit Voucher (TCV), which can be put towards the learner’s next examination. If you would like to apply for a TCV, you must write to LAMDA Examinations with the required supporting evidence within 10 days of the examination that the learner was unable to attend. You will also need to include the learner's blank report card. Once it has been verified that the learner did not take the examination, a TCV will be issued in the learner’s name.
24. Can a learner change the time of an examination?
It is not possible to change the dates or times for any examinations, once the session has been scheduled.
25. If a learner is no longer able to attend an examination, can (s)he get a refund?
For a learner who is ill on the day of the examinations, LAMDA Examinations offers a Transfer Credit Voucher (TCV). Please see section 23 entitled ‘What do I do if a learner is ill on the day of the exam?’
The above TCV conditions also apply if the learner suffers a family bereavement.
There are no conditions other than those stated above in which a refund, partial or otherwise, will be given.