Founded back in 1861, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, referred to simply as LAMDA, is the oldest drama school in the United Kingdom. Around 130 years ago, the school started offering exams in speech and drama to the public.
All LAMDA exams share the same goal of encouraging participants to develop a love towards drama, poetry and literature and subsequently improve their communication skills and ability to express themselves.
A LAMDA exam is the drama and speech equivalent of a music grade, which begins at beginner/basic levels and culminates at Grade 8. The exam usually lasts around 10 minutes for the lower grades and about 30 minutes for the highest grades. Exams consist of two parts, the students perform chosen pieces in front of the examiner, which are followed by a discussion between the two. The type and number of pieces performed depend on the level and grade being examined.
The exam itself is divided into three separate sections, graded with a maximum overall score of 100. The sections are: interpretation, technique and knowledge.
The interpretation grade depends on the student’s imagination, how they engage with the text, how well they’ve grasped the meaning and how they communicate it. The technique on the other hand, reflects the student’s vocal performance and physical presence. Last but not least, the knowledge mark reflects the student’s theoretical understanding and their ability to share their ideas in the following discussion with the examiner.
LAMDA exams offer a great opportunity for students to measure their ongoing progress when it comes to drama and speech. Тhe exams are created with the goal of suiting the abilities of students of all ages, starting from young children reciting short poems to teenagers being able to present Shakespearean monologues.
Plenty of students can benefit from taking the LAMDA exams. From pupils who have a taste for drama and want to polish their technique and prepare for auditions to anyone who simply wants to improve their speaking and presentation skills. Furthermore, the exams are also a good option for students looking to acquire extra UCAS points for university level.
Overall, LAMDA exams help students develop and improve many beneficial skills that they’ll carry with them throughout the rest of their lives such as: reading fluently, public speaking, memorising texts, defending their opinions, engaging in constructive conversations and more.
Absolutely! LAMDA is one of the most prestigious drama schools in the world. A bachelor’s course in acting at the university lasts 3 years and classes have about 30 students in them. Over 2000 aspiring actors apply each year so plenty of preparation is necessary if you want to boost your chances of being accepted.
If you’re looking for more ways to prepare, then one-on-one tutoring might be the solution. TutorExtra offers a wide range of tutors offering lessons that will help you prepare for the LAMDA entry exams.
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