HSC Dance exam-day guide
HSC Dance · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed or digital copy of your exam timetable and candidate number
Have both a printed copy and a saved digital copy accessible offline on your phone. Confirm the exact venue, arrival time, and session details with your school or provider, as practical exam scheduling varies by centre.
Photo identification as required by your provider
Check with your teacher or provider which form of ID is accepted and whether it must be original. Do not assume a school card is sufficient; confirm before exam day.
Performance costume(s) and a spare set of tights or undergarments
Pack each costume in a labelled garment bag. Include a spare pair of tights and any undergarments, plus safety pins, because costume failures are common and unrecoverable on the day.
Dance shoes for each work, plus warm-up shoes
Bring the specific footwear required for each performance and a separate pair for warm-up and cool-down. Label every pair; shared dressing rooms lose shoes.
Music files in the required format on two separate devices
Bring your accompaniment on two devices (for example a phone and a USB) plus a backup copy. Confirm with your provider the accepted file format and whether a technician operates playback.
Warm-up clothing and a small towel
Layers you can remove as you warm up, plus a towel to manage sweat between warm-up and performance. Avoid unfamiliar clothing that restricts movement.
Water bottle and a light, familiar snack
Hydrate steadily rather than in large amounts at once. Choose snacks you have eaten before a rehearsal so digestion is predictable.
Hair kit and basic first aid supplies
Hair pins, ties, gel or spray, scissors, and a small first aid kit including blister plasters and tape. Handle any injury according to your provider's first aid process.
Copies of your program notes, rationale, or written documentation if required
Some practical components require supporting written material. Confirm with your provider exactly what must be submitted, in what format, and by when, and whether it is collected before or after the performance.
A printed run sheet of your performance order and cues
List each work, its music, costume, and any staging notes. A one-page run sheet reduces panic when nerves disrupt memory.
Transport and emergency contact plan
Plan to arrive with buffer time for delays. Save your teacher's and a family member's numbers, and know who to call if transport fails.
Confirm whether a physiotherapist or massage therapist may attend
Access for support personnel varies. Confirm with the provider well in advance rather than assuming it is permitted.
Plan the day
Stop learning new choreography or making major changes. Run full performances at performance intensity in costume at least once, then shift to refinement and marking. Rehearse your warm-up routine exactly as you will do it on the day. Check every music file plays on both devices and that costumes are complete and clean. Confirm transport, arrival time, venue, and what you are permitted to bring with your provider. Protect sleep and avoid unfamiliar intense training that risks injury.
Do a light technical rehearsal or marking session only, then rest. Pack your bag fully using the checklist and lay out costumes. Charge all devices and test playback one final time. Eat familiar, balanced meals and hydrate normally. Prepare your run sheet and set two alarms. Avoid late-night stretching or foam rolling that leaves you sore, and avoid trying new foods.
Eat a familiar breakfast you have tested before a rehearsal, allowing enough time to digest. Arrive early enough to complete any registration and ID checks without rushing. Begin a thorough warm-up, progressing from general cardiovascular work to joint mobility, dynamic stretching, and work-specific preparation. Run through transitions and cues mentally, not at full intensity. Use the toilet before you are called and keep warm layers on until your turn.
Follow the examiner's or supervisor's instructions precisely about entry, spacing, and exits. Perform with full commitment and expressive intent even if a small error occurs; recover and continue rather than stopping. Breathe and use your prepared focus routine before each work. After performing, cool down gently, change out of damp clothing, and do not discuss your performance in a way that unsettles candidates still to perform.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from examiners and supervisors about entry, spacing, and exit. If you are unsure of a procedure, ask before you begin rather than guessing.
Bring the identification your provider requires and present it when asked. Confirm acceptable ID forms with your provider in advance; do not assume any particular document is accepted.
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, how long they are, and whether you may leave the venue between works. Do not leave the designated area without permission.
Keep music playback and any technical equipment to what the provider permits. Do not alter files or equipment during the exam without direction from a supervisor.
Respect other candidates: keep noise down in warm-up and waiting areas, do not coach or critique others, and do not disclose details of the exam to candidates who have not yet performed.
Report any injury, illness, or misadventure to a supervisor immediately and follow the provider's process for special consideration. Do not attempt a work if doing so risks your safety.
Understand how your performance will be marked: criteria and weighting are set by the provider, so confirm the specifics with your teacher rather than relying on rumour. Focus on accuracy of movement, dynamics, expression, and safe technique.
Leave phones and smart devices silenced and stored as directed unless they are your approved music source. Confirm with the provider whether device use for playback is allowed in the exam space.