Learner FAQ

LAMDA exams are designed to develop your life skills, such as clear communication, self-confidence and teamwork, through the creative platforms of drama, literature and music.

All our exams offer you opportunity to improve self-expression, strengthen memory and, most importantly, have fun.

Over a hundred thousand people take LAMDA Exams every year, from all over the world, and from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities.There is no age limit - our oldest learner to date was in their 90s and the youngest only three. And there are no access requirements beyond your own enthusiasm and passion.

Why should I take a LAMDA Exam?

There are lots of reasons to take a LAMDA Exam. The one we hear about most often from our learners is confidence. By developing their communication skills our learners are improving their levels of self-assurance, confident in the knowledge that they can articulate their thoughts and ideas, and importantly make their voice heard.

Other benefits include reading fluency, a broader vocabulary, enhanced memory and recall, improved English language skills and the ability to structure an argument.

Preparing for a LAMDA Exam helps everyone develop the life skills that are so important for a happy, successful and fulfilled life.

Once you have passed a LAMDA Exam, you will have earnt a qualification that is recognised all over the world that you can use to add to your CV, resume or university application. You can even earn UCAS points to help with university entry.

I can get UCAS points?

Yes! LAMDA Level 3 (Grades 6 to 8) regulated qualifications carry UCAS points. Find out more here.

How can I find a teacher?

If you are a school pupil or student, you may be able to find a teacher through your school, so it’s worth asking your teachers for advice.

We also have a list of teachers on our website called the Directory of Teachers. You can access it here.

However you find your teacher, please take the time to research and ask for recommendations so you can find the right teacher for you, one who makes you feel safe, supported and inspired.

How do I take an exam?

Your teacher may arrange for you to take an exam, but you can also book one yourself.

You can take an exam at any one of our LAMDA Centres. We have centres all over the world which anyone can book to take their exam in. There are 32 in the UK alone!

They are in: Bath, Belfast, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Bristol, Burley. Cambridge, Cheltenham, Colchester, Coleraine, Edinburgh, Haywards Heath, Kent (Ashford), Leamington Spa, Leeds, Leicester, Leigh-on-Sea, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Northampton, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Ryde, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent, Stokesley, Swansea and Swindon.

Once you have chosen the centre that is most convenient to you, it’s time to fill out the form to apply for a spot at one of our exam events. Exam events last more than one day and are usually held over the weekend, so make sure to keep those dates free!

Read the form and all the guidance notes carefully before you start filling up the form, and get it to us as soon as you can.

Once we have received your form and entry fee we will start processing your application.

We will then send you (or, if someone else is registering you for your exam, we’ll send it to them) a Learner Examination Report. It will include the time, date and location of your exam, as well as the exact exam you are taking. As soon as you receive this, double check all the information so you’re sure it’s correct!

Make sure to check your name too. The way your name is printed on the Leaner Examination Report is exactly how it will be printed on your certificate. If something is wrong, let us know in writing immediately so that we can fix it.

You are now all booked in.

Now you can finish up your exam preparation.

If you’re not sure what to expect, you can have a look out our exam-day guide here.

Are exams taking place during the Covid-19 pandemic?

You can find the latest information and guidance about LAMDA Exams during the Covid-19 pandemic here.

How much does it cost?

This depends on which exam you are taking. You can download the full price list here.

When will I find out my results?

Your results will be sent to the person who booked your exam within 30 working days of the exam event you attended. Our exams often run over several days, so the 30 days will start after the last day.

Will I get a certificate?

If you pass your exam you will receive a certificate with your results. At the higher grades, you may even get a medal.

Which exam should I take?

We have lots to choose from, so picking which one to start with is something you should spend a bit of time on. Think about what you are passionate about and what you would like to learn. Are you more interested in giving a speech or inhabiting the world of a character? Do you like reading fiction more than non-fiction? Would you prefer to take your exam with a friend or are you determined to go solo? These are all things you should discuss with your teacher if you are unsure what direction you should take.

I’m not in the UK, can I still take a LAMDA Exam?

Yes! We have LAMDA Centres all over the world which are open to everyone wishing to take a LAMDA Exam.

We currently hold exam events in: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Cayman Islands, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nigeria, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, UAE, Uganda, USA and Vietnam.

You can get in touch with our international team on [email protected] and we will put you in touch with the representative for your region.

What do I need to take to my exam?

What you need to bring will depend on which exam you are taking. Check the syllabus carefully to see what you need. Sometimes you will be asked to bring a specific prop, like your favourite toy, and other times you might need something like a sound system so you can have a backing track for your performance.

No matter what exam you are taking, you will need to bring your Learner Examination Report with you, legible copies of the pieces you are performing and plenty of passion!

And if you’re 16 or over, don’t forget to bring ID with you.

Do I need to bring ID?

If you will be 16 or older on the day you take your exam, your Learner Examination Report will have the following line printed on it: This learner is required to present acceptable identification prior to commencement of their examination. Please bring one of the following, to identify yourself when you register your arrival at the centre:

A current passport
A current driving license
HM Forces Services ID
Travel Pass (Railcard or Zip Oyster)
PASS card
Biometric residence card
NUS card

You must bring your ID with you to the centre. We will not examine you without seeing it. We cannot accept photocopies, photos, or check your ID after the exam so it’s essential that you don’t forget it.

What happens if I book the wrong exam?

Don’t worry, mistakes happen. Let us know right away and we’ll do our best to get that fixed for you.

If you are taking an online assessment, we’ll only be able to make changes up until the closing date for entries. So you need to notify us as soon as you can.

If you are taking your exam in a LAMDA Centre and notice the issue on exam day you tell us about it at the registration desk.

The centre representative will be able to work out if you are able to change exams. If the exam you are meant to be taking is longer than the one you are down to take it might not be possible, in which case you’ll need to come back on another day.

If you get the go-ahead from the centre representative, you’ll be given a Change of Registered Exam form to hand to the examiner when you enter the exam room.

If you are in a private centre, please tell your teacher who will be able to inform us about the problem. When you go into the exam room, double check that the examiner is aware of the change.

I’ve lost my certificate! Can I get another one?

Don't worry!

If the certificate is for a current LAMDA Exam (you can find all the exams that we are currently offering here) then we can send you a duplicate certificate. These look like the original certificates, except they have the word ‘Duplicate’ printed on them.

If we no longer offer the exam that you took, then we can send you what is called a ‘Letter of Attestation.’ What this means is that we can write an official letter which confirms that you took a LAMDA Exam and the grade you were given.

What happens if I have a problem?

If you don’t agree with something we’ve done you can send us a complaint to record dissatisfaction. We promise to look into your concerns and to address them. We may not always be able to give you what you want but we’ll work with you to find a solution.

What if I don’t agree with my result?

If you wish to query your results, you can fill out an Enquiry About Results. You can read more about this here.

Once we have received your Enquiry About Results we will investigate your query, asking your examiner for clarification and considering any points you raise. We will respond within 15 working days.

If you are not satisfied by our response, you can appeal. You can read about how to do so here.

How do I contact LAMDA Exams?

The best way to reach the exams team is by emailing [email protected]

You can also write to us at:
LAMDA Exams
155 Talgarth Road
London
W14 9DA
United Kingdom