Regulations

1. General
Candidates must present for examination using the syllabus listed as available within the current AMEB Manual of Syllabuses. The syllabus chosen for examination must be presented in its entirety. A combination of different syllabuses is not accepted for examination.
Subject to these Regulations, arrangements for the examinations in each State will be carried out in accordance with the procedure adopted by the State concerned.

PLACE OF EXAMINATIONS

2. Examination Centres

Practical examinations will be held in centres where an approved number of candidates wish to attend. (See also Regulation 5.)

3. Written Examinations – Country Centres
Written examinations may be held in any Country Centre provided that:
(a) a sufficient number of candidates has entered
(b) satisfactory arrangements for the conduct of the examination can be assured. In the event of an insufficient number of candidates entering for a particular centre, the State Office reserves the right to call the candidates to an alternative centre.

4. Local Appointees
Arrangements for examinations in country centres will be carried out by a Local Secretary duly appointed in each State.

5. Examination Centres
Practical examinations may be conducted at places other than a general centre if the number of candidates and the examination conditions are approved by the State office. Application for special centres must be made before the closing date for receipt of entries. The Board shall reserve the right to call candidates for Associate and Licentiate diploma examinations to the centre which in its opinion is best suited for the examination.

EXAMINATION ENTRIES

6. Entry Requirements
Subject to Regulation 17, candidates may, irrespective of age, enter for any grade of any subject, without having passed a lower grade.

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7. Applications
Application for examination shall be made on the prescribed form that must be lodged with the appropriate State Office not later than the date specified in the State Teacher Bulletins.

8. Late Entries
Late entries may only be accepted from candidates on payment of a late fee within a specified period as determined by the State Office.

9. Fees Payable by Candidates
For information on the scale of fees please contact your State Office.

EXAMINATION TIMES

10. Special Examination Times
Candidates should advise the State Office of dates to be avoided in the scheduling of their examination. This advice should be provided in writing at the time of enrolment.

11. Examination Periods
Practical examinations in each State shall be held at times determined by the State Office. Written examinations will be held in April or May, and August or September on dates set by the Board.

12. Notification of Examination
As soon as practicable after the closing date of entries, candidates will be officially notified of their candidate number, and the time and place of their examination.

13. Time allowed for examinations

WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS

Before the scheduled commencement of all written examinations 10 minutes reading time is allowed.

Speech and Performance Theory
First Grade-45 mins
Second Grade-60 mins
Third Grade-1 hr 30 mins
Fourth Grade-2 hrs
Fifth Grade-2 hrs 30 mins
Sixth Grade-3 hrs
Seventh Grade-3 hrs

PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS

Drama and Communication
Introductory-30 mins
Grade 1-30 mins
Grade 2-40 mins
Grade 3-40 mins
Grade 4-40 mins
Grade 5-50 mins
Grade 6-60 mins

Voice and Communication
Preliminary – 10 mins
First Grade – 12 mins
Second Grade – 15 mins
Third Grade – 17 mins
Fourth Grade – 20 mins
Fifth Grade – 20 mins
Sixth Grade – 25 mins
Seventy Grade – 30 mins
Eighth Grade – 35 mins
Certificate – 40 mins
Associate (Section I): Practical – 45 mins
Associate (Section II: Folio

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Drama and Performance
Preliminary - 12 min
First Grade - 14 min
Second Grade - 15 min
Third Grade - 20 min
Fourth Grade - 20 min
Fifth Grade - 25 min
Sixth Grade - 30 min
Seventh Grade - 30 min
Eighth Grade – 35 mins
Certificate – 35 mins
Associate Section I Practical - 1 hr 5 min
Associate (Section II) Written – 3 hrs
Licentiate Section I Practical - 1 hr 20 min
Licentiate (Section II) Written – 3 hrs

Fellowship in Speech and Drama, Australia -1 hr to 1 hr 30 min

SPECIAL SERVICES

14. Disabled Candidates
The AMEB makes every effort to accommodate candidates with disabilities. Teachers and candidates should contact the State Office for further details.

EXAMINATIONS

15. Examiners for Diploma Examinations
There shall be two examiners for Associate and Licentiate diploma examinations and three examiners for the Fellowship.
 

16. Subjects and Grades of Examination

(a)     Grade examinations are offered in the following subjects:

• Speech and Performance Theory – First to Seventh Grades
• Drama and Performance – Preliminary to Eighth Grades
• Drama and Communication – Introductory to Sixth Grades
• Voice and Communication – Preliminary to Eighth Grades
  

(b)    Diploma and Certificate Examinations are offered as follows:

Diploma of Associateship:
APCA (Associate in Professional Communication, Australia).
ADPA (Associate in Drama and Performance, Australia).

Diploma of Licentiateship:
LDPA (Licentiate in Drama and Performance, Australia).

Fellowship:
FSDA (Fellowship in Speech and Drama, Australia).

Certificate:
CDPA (Certificate in Drama and Performance), Australia).

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17. Additional and Prerequisite Requirements

Prerequisite requirements – CDPA; ADPA; LDPA, FSDA.
For these diploma and certificate examinations as set out in the table below, candidates must pass a prerequisite examination, which is regarded as a qualifying examination, before entering for the principal examination. In all cases, the stated prerequisite is the minimum requirement.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to give notification as to the date of passing this prerequisite requirement, and the centre at which such examination was held.
A degree or diploma in Speech and Drama from a recognised Australian or overseas tertiary institution will be deemed to have met the prerequisite for CDPA Drama and Performance, ADPA Drama and Performance, LDPA Drama and Performance and FSDA Speech and Drama.
Evidence of such qualification(s) and supporting material are to be supplied to the relevant State Office at the time of entry for the examination.

18. Examinations in Sections
The subjects set out below are divided into sections as shown. Candidates must pass each section of the examination before a certificate is awarded. Candidates may attempt the various sections of such examinations at the same time or at different examination sessions. A separate fee is payable for each section. Entries may be made only for section(s) to be attempted at the next available examination session(s) of the same calendar year. A certificate may be issued upon the successful completion of all sections of the examination within periods as prescribed – namely, for a two section examination, within four years; for a three section examination, within six years.

ASSOCIATE, Professional Communication
Section I
Section II

ASSOCIATE, Drama and Performance
Section I
Section II

LICENTIATE, Drama and Performance
Section I
Section II
Section III

REPORTS AND CERTIFICATES

19. Examination Reports
A report from the examiner is provided for the information of candidates and teachers. the examiner’s report carries the examination result. in all written examinations, the report will show the total marks obtained, and the marks obtained under each section of the examination.

20. Certificates
Certificates will be awarded to candidates who fulfil the requirements of the award. Certificates specify the subject and grade or diploma of examination and the result obtained.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

21. Inability to Present for Examination
Candidates who are prevented by illness or other exceptional cause from presenting themselves for examination, should notify the State Office as soon as possible. On payment of a transfer fee, it may be possible to re-schedule the examination. Details can be obtained from the State Office. Dates for written examinations cannot be re-scheduled.

22. Content not in the syllabus
If a candidate includes content which is not in the current syllabus the examiner will indicate this to the candidate and will advise that the item cannot be presented. On the examination report the examiner will note that the omitted section could not be assessed as the item was not in the current syllabus. In arriving at the overall grading the absence of one section reduces the overall result by one grade. If two or more sections are not assessed due to items presented that are not in the current syllabus, the overall result will be noted as ‘not able to assess’ with an explanation given in the general remarks.

23. Practical Examination Procedure
Examiners may at their discretion hear the whole or any portion of the prescribed works presented for examination.

24. Written Examination Procedure
Candidates should note that no materials other than pens, pencils and erasers are permitted in written examination rooms.

25. Complaints
Every effort is made to make each examination an enjoyable event. The examiners are professionals in their field and are highly trained to conduct quality assessments and provide informative reports. Each State Office has established procedures for handling complaints. Should you have a concern or complaint about an examination, please contact your State Office.

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RESULTS

26. Assessment System: Written Examinations

(a)        Diplomas – Associate and Licentiate:
Pass – 75 per cent

(b)       Speech and Performance Theory – First to Seventh Grades:
Pass – 65 per cent
Credit – 75 per cent
Honours – 85 per cent
High Distinction

27. Assessment System: Practical Examinations
(a) Fellowship:

Qualified
Not qualified

(b) Diplomas – Associate and Licentiate:

Award with Distinction
Award
No Award

(c) Grades and Certificate:

A+  High Distinction, outstanding performance in every section
A    Honours
B, B+   Credit
C, C+  Satisfactory
D   Not Satisfactory

The following descriptors outline the Board’s requirements for each grading.

A+: In addition to satisfying the criteria for the award of an A grading, the candidate demonstrates outstanding achievement in all areas of performance and preparation. For Drama and Communication, the group demonstrates outstanding achievement in all areas of teamwork.

A: The candidate demonstrates an overall superior level of achievement in terms of reading accuracy, rhythmic sense, stylistic insight, performing presence, audience awareness, and preparation of topics. For Drama and Communication, the group demonstrates an overall superior level of achievement in group work.

B+: In addition to satisfying the criteria for the award of a B grading, the candidate demonstrates meritorious achievement against most criteria. For Drama and Communication, the group demonstrates meritorious achievement in group work.

B: The candidate demonstrates an overall creditable level of achievement, with appropriate development of reading accuracy, rhythmic sense, stylistic insight, performing presence, audience awareness, and preparation of topics. Some unevenness of achievement between these criteria, or different parts of the examination, may be apparent. For Drama and Communication, the group demonstrates overall creditable level of achievement in group work.

C+: In addition to satisfying the criteria for the award of a C grading, the candidate demonstrates more than adequate achievement against some of the criteria. For Drama and Communication, the group demonstrates more than adequate achievement in group work.

C: The candidate demonstrates an overall adequate level of achievement in reading accuracy, rhythmic sense, stylistic insight, performing presence, audience awareness, and preparation of topics. Considerable unevenness in achievement between these criteria, or different parts of the examination, may be apparent. For Drama and Communication, the group demonstrates an overall adequate level of achievement in group work.

D: The candidate demonstrates an overall inadequate level of reading accuracy, rhythmic sense, stylistic insight, performing presence, audience awareness, and preparation of topics. Often this resulted from deficiencies in preparation or a hesitant presentation evidencing technical errors and an inappropriate sense of style. For Drama and Communication, the group demonstrates an overall inadequate level of achievement in group work.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

28. Academic Dress
Academic dress is available for Associate and Licentiate diplomates and for Fellows. Details can be obtained from AMEB State Offices.

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