The examination is in two sections: Part A – Written and Part B – Practical
Candidates must gain at least 75 marks out of a maximum 100 in each part of the examination in order to pass.

Part A – Written Examination (100 marks)
There is one written paper: three hours allowed.
There will be eight questions in all: four on Section A and four on Section B. Candidates will be required to answer five questions: two questions from Section A, two questions from Section B, and one from either A or B

Section A

1. Voice production, diction, accents, and dialects
2. Selection of material for programme building for solo and group presentation
3. Characterisation in dramatic playing – theory and practice
    
4. Interpretation of poetry and prose
    
5. Performance on television and radio

Section B

1. Theatre History with particular reference to Greek, Elizabethan, and Restoration periods
2. Recent and current developments in theatre in Ireland and Britain
3. Costume and make-up
4. Preparation for performance – the contribution of (among others) Stanislavski, Brecht, Guthrie, George Barker, Brook, and Grotowski
5. The function of the Director

Part B – Practical Examination
In the Practical Examination the candidate is expected to demonstrate some facility in accents and dialects.