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.

The Candidate is required to:	Maximum marks
i. Perform two dramatic passages, one each from different and contrasting plays	40
ii. Recite one longer, or two or three shorter poems by a modern Irish poet	20
iii. Read at sight passages of prose, poetry, or drama chosen by the examiner	10
iv. Bring a script of play in which he or she has performed and to be prepared to discuss with the examiner problems of characterization and performance. The candidate should be able to refer to specific passages in the play to illustrate points raised. The play may be written for theatre or radio	20
v. Participate in a Viva Voce on any aspect of the Practical Examination in particular and the Syllabus in general