Getting your ISTD results is an exciting part of your dance journey, but understanding them can be a little confusing.This article is about the ISTD dance exam results explained. The dance team at Italia Conti will cover everything from what the exams are to how the grading system works.What is ISTD?ISTD is the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.It’s one of the world’s leading dance examination boards and training organisations, offering a range of dance-related events, training and exams.The board is based in London and it was established in 1904. It is split into two main faculty boards. Dancesport takes care of the dance techniques that are performed in ballrooms or dance halls. Theatre is concerned with stage and film performance.What Are ISTD Exams?ISTD organises exams in various styles, from ballet and modern to ballroom and tap. These exams assess technical ability, artistry, musicality and performance skills. They’re a structured way to measure your abilities.The ISTD Dance Exam Results ExplainedThe thing that often causes the most confusion is the exam results, so we’re going to cover those now.When you get your marks you’ll normally see a mark and a grade. This is what each of those grades means.Distinction (80-100 marks)Achieving a distinction in your ISTD is an incredible achievement.A distinction means you demonstrated exceptional skills, artistry and an overall understanding of the syllabus. To achieve a distinction you must have excelled in all areas of the exam, which is something to be very proud of.Merit (65-79 marks)Merit is still a strong result. It shows you have a good grasp of the syllabus, with room to improve in certain areas. On your results, you should have actionable feedback that will help you land that distinction next time.Pass (50-64 marks)A pass means you met the basic standards. You showed competency and ability, but you might need to put in more hours of practice to make that step up to merit or distinction.Fail (<50 marks)If you get below 50 marks, you will not have passed your ISTD exam. But, don’t be discouraged. Use the feedback to understand where you should practice. Completing the exam in itself is still an achievement, as it can be incredibly nerve-wracking!Your Results and ProgressionNow that we’ve cleared the numbers up, it’s important to understand that your ISTD exams are about much more than that.Your exams offer valuable insight into your strengths and areas for improvement. Understanding your results can help you with goal setting, so you can take your training, abilities and performance to the next level.After you have received your results, take time to reflect on your feedback and how you think the exam went. You might identify specific areas to work on.A Final Word…Understanding and analysing your ISTD exam results is key to making the most of your dance training. The grades and feedback you receive are important tools that will help you develop as a performer.