Speech, drama and communication activities such as drama games, exercises in movement and mime, verse and prose speaking, improvisation and creative drama, public speaking, and participating in scripted drama help to develop critical skills such as:

• working co-operatively with others
• the ability to use clear diction and vocal projection
• non-verbal communication
• listening, speaking, concentrating and observing
• creative and imaginative thinking
• enhancing self-expression, self-confidence and self-esteem
• using movement and gesture to communicate emotion, character and context
• creating and sustaining fictional roles
• interacting with others in a fictional setting
• presentation and public speaking
• improvisation and role-playing
• reflecting on and appreciating literature and drama

Irish Board of Speech and Drama examinations provide:

• an objective assessment of the attainment of skills and experience, measured
  against established criteria
• an independent and professional evaluation of progress
• positive critical feedback and guidance for future development
• an opportunity to develop self-confidence and self-esteem in a safe environment
• certification of achievement

1. Send your entry form and fees to the Irish Board at least a month before the date on which you would like the examination to take place (please give us a few options).
2. We will send you confirmation of the date of the examination together with the name of the Irish Board examiner.
3. On the day, our examiner will give you a blank report sheet for each candidate and talk/ improvisation topics, if necessary.
4. You give the examiner a list of the names of those to be examined, with the examination categories and levels/ grades clearly indicated.
5. Each candidate will bring his/her report sheet into the examination room and hand it to the examiner.
6. The examiner will hear the candidate’s pieces, write up his/her report sheet and award a mark.
7. When all the candidates have been examined, the examiner will give you the written up report sheets, and a medal for the candidate receiving the highest mark. Within a reasonable period of time (usually within a month), we will send you an Irish Board Certificate for each candidate who received 70% or more in their examination.
8. We will also send you Acting Medals for each candidate in the Acting Performance and Musical Theatre solo and duologue examinations achieving 85% or more, and
   proficiency medals, where awarded.

What our Examiners Require on the Day of the Examination

1. A suitable room in which the examination can take place. The room should be bright, warm, in a quiet part of the building, and have sufficient space for candidates to
2. perform their pieces.
3. A suitable table and chair for the examiner.
4. A list of candidates and their grades.
5. For junior candidates, where poems are short, a copy of each of the poems, so that the examiner may ask appropriate questions.
6. Water and a glass.
7. An occasional offer of tea/ coffee, and perhaps some biscuits.
8. A light lunch (a roll or sandwich/ tea or coffee) if the examination is to last into the afternoon.
9. Well-prepared candidates!
10. Report sheets to be handed to them by the candidates in good condition.

Entrance and Introduction

Candidates should be reminded that the examination begins as soon as the candidate enters the examination room. We would like to see the candidate enter the room purposefully, close the door, greet the examiner appropriately (‘Good Morning or Good Afternoon’) and hand his/ her report sheet to the examiner.

Poetry in General

We would like the candidate to show that he/she:

• is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
• displays an understanding of what the poet intended
• can make meaningful and expressive use of the language and structure of the poem
• can convey the meaning and mood of the poem with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm
• does not cause any distraction with the use of his/her body.

Narrative Poetry

We would like the candidate to show that he/she:

• is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
• understands what the poet intended, and conveys the shape and progression of the story
• is able to make meaningful and expressive use of the language and structure of the poem
• can convey the mood of the poem with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm does not cause any distraction with the use of his/her body.

Lyric Poetry

We would like the candidate to show that he/she:

• is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
• understands what the poet intended, and identifies with the poet’s emotions
• can make meaningful and expressive use of the language and structure of the poem
• can convey the meaning and mood of the poem with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm
• does not cause any distraction with the use of his/her body.

Choral Verse Speaking

We would like the group to show that they:

• are able to share responsibility for their performance
• can communicate clearly as a group
• understand the meaning of the poem or prose selection chosen
• can convey that understanding to the examiner by engaging imaginatively with the text.

Action Poems

We would like the group to show that they:

• are able to share responsibility for their performance
• can communicate clearly as a group
• understand the meaning of the poem chosen
• can convey that understanding to the examiner through appropriate expression and movement.

Drama

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• understands the character being portrayed and the scenario described by the play
• conveys and sustains this character convincingly through voice, speech and movement
• can speak clearly uses his/ her voice, body and space in appropriate and varied ways projects and shapes his/her performance for the benefit of the audience.

Mime

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• understands the nature of mime
• can create a mime which reflects the given story, character or theme has good control over body movement, facial expression and gesture
• is able to convey texture, shape and weight projects and shapes his/her performance for the benefit of the audience.

Movement to Music

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• can interpret music with bodily movement and facial expression
• has the ability to use his/ her body and space in appropriate and varied ways
• can construct and shape a performance for the benefit of the audience.

Musical Theatre

We would like each candidate to show that he/she (alone, in a duo or in a group):

• engages effectively with the piece being performed
• understands the character being portrayed and the scenario and mood described by the selection
• conveys and sustains this character convincingly through voice, speech and movement
• can speak/ sing clearly with appropriate melody and rhythm
• demonstrates skills in singing, acting and choreographed movement
• uses the performance space in appropriate and varied ways
• projects and shapes his/her performance for the benefit of the audience.

Improvisation

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• can develop a theme relevantly, creatively and dramatically from his/her own imagination
• is able to sustain the theme and character for a given period of time
• pays attention to the details of the created scenario.

Prose

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
• understands and conveys what the writer of the piece intended
• is able to speak fluently, purposefully and expressively
• where appropriate, can give characters in the story clear vocal identities
• can convey the meaning and mood of the extract with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm.

Reading/ Sight Reading

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
• displays an awareness of the listener/ audience, through standing appropriately,
• introducing the extract clearly, managing the book and using eye contact
• can read fluently, purposefully and expressively
• can use a variety of pace, tone and rhythm to convey the meaning and mood of the selection.

Prepared Talks

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
• can speak with fluency and expression
• is able to construct a relevant, informative and appropriately structured talk
• shows an awareness of the audience
• has not memorised the talk
• if using notes, uses them in an unobtrusive manner.

Impromptu Talks

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
• can speak with fluency and expression
• is able to develop a theme relevantly and creatively
• can shape a talk, with an introduction, development and conclusion
• shows an awareness of the audience.

Theory

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

• knows the set theory and can explain it with reference to the pieces being performed
• during the examination, using examples where appropriate

1. Applications for examinations are accepted on the condition that candidates will be examined in accordance with the requirements of the current syllabus.
2. All entries must be made on the official entry form. Each entry form must be accompanied by the correct entry fee. Forms and fees must reach the Irish Board of
   Speech and Drama at least one month before the proposed date of the examination.The Irish Board reserves the right to refuse entries which do not comply with these
   conditions.
   The person submitting the entry form must sign and date it. This will be understood to be an agreement to abide by the regulations of the Irish Board.
3. The minimum fee for the recognition of an examination centre is €350. By agreement and arrangement, an examination centre may comprise more than one physical location.
4. Examination fees will not be refunded.
5. A candidate who has been entered for an examination in one centre may not be examined in a different centre.
6. A list of candidates’ names with the type and grade of their examinations must be given to the examiner prior to the start of the examination.
7. Each candidate is responsible for the supply of all equipment, props, costumes and so on required for his/ her examination.
8. 70% will be required to pass any examination; 75% – 79% will be awarded a Merit; 80% -84% will be awarded Honours; 85% – 89% will be awarded First Class Honours; 90% -100% will be awarded a Distinction. The pass mark for all Diploma examinations is 75%.
9. A certificate will be awarded to each candidate achieving a pass mark or over in an examination.
10. One medal will be awarded in each examination centre as defined in Regulation 4, above, save for the exceptions below.
11. In the Acting Performance and Musical Theatre examinations, a certificate will be awarded to each candidate achieving 70% or over. Each candidate in the Acting Performance and Musical Theatre solo and duologue examinations achieving a mark of 85% or above will receive a certificate and an Irish Board Acting Medal.
12. In the Grade Proficiency, Public Speaking Proficiency and Acting Proficiency examinations, a medal will be awarded to each candidate achieving a mark of 85% or above.
13. The Irish Board of Speech and Drama welcomes candidates with special needs. Candidates requiring special provision, for example, sight reading in a large format or on a coloured background must notify the Irish Board at the time of entry.