APDA is fully committed to face-to-face and/or video examinations. The following protocols and policies apply for examinations, refunds, credits and unforeseen circumstances during Covid times:
Examinations During Covid
Face-to-face examinations will take place if permitted under government guidelines.
Examination venues and people attending the examination venue are required to follow government health and safety requirements.
Studios can request for an examiner to wear a face mask even if not mandatory. Studio owners should request this at the time of contacting the examiner prior to examinations.
If physical distancing is a requirement at the time of examinations, studios should mark/tape the floor accordingly to enable examination candidates to distance easily.
Examination Disruption due to Covid
If dance schools are unable to operate due to government restrictions during examination dates, APDA will work with the dance studio to reschedule examinations as soon as possible (within the following 12 months) with face-to-face rescheduled examinations or by video submission examinations.
If an examiner is affected by travel restrictions meaning that the examiner cannot attend the planned examination day, APDA will work with the dance studio to reschedule examinations as soon as possible (within the following 12 months) with face-to-face rescheduled examinations or by video submission examinations.
If an examiner contracts Covid or has symptoms and cannot be replaced by another examiner at short notice, APDA will work with the dance studio to reschedule examinations as soon as possible.
Credit & Refund Policy
If examinations are deferred to a new date (due to Covid government restrictions) and a student has a legitimate reason for being unable to sit their examination on the rescheduled date, they can apply for a credit for their next examination. This credit needs to be applied for by email from the dance studio owner within 30 days of the examination date. The reason must be genuine and reasonable to be accepted by APDA.
Candidates who are unable to sit examinations due to sickness or injury (including Covid related illness), can apply for a medical refund through the existing procedure online. A $10 administration fee applies to all refunds. This online medical claim form must be submitted by dance studio owners and a medical certificate is required.
Candidates who are unable to sit examinations due to a requirement to self-isolate in accordance with government guidance, can apply for a credit for their next examination the following year. This credit needs to be applied for by email from the dance studio owner within 30 days of the examination date.
Refunds are not given for lack of attendance, change of mind or other reasons.
Video Examination Option
Video examinations are an option and can be submitted for students who are unable to sit their examination/assessment due to Covid related illness or if a student misses their examination due to self-isolation in accordance with government guidance.
Videos must follow the APDA examination video protocol. Examinations must be filmed at a dance studio with the studio owner in attendance to verify that examination procedures have been followed. The studio must submit examination videos of students in one batch submission per studio.
Examinations Cancellation by Studio
If a studio chooses to cancel their examinations (for any reason), instead of rescheduling examinations or submitting video examinations, refunds do not apply.