Diane Jarmolow is a DVIDA National Examiner and the founder and director of Ballroom Dance Teachers College. She helped to create the DVIDA system of professional examinations. She also wrote and is featured in the DVIDA DVD: "Get Certified!" Diane is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced DVIDA Examiner and has given literally hundreds of professional certification exams and student medal testes to dance teachers and students at studios throughout North America.

Examiner's Corner is a monthly column in which Diane shares her experiences and insights on the examination process.

I recently spent a terrific day at Staver DanceSport Ballroom in Eugene, Oregon. While I was there I had the pleasure of giving professional certification exams to two young teachers, Syska Iacono and Chrystee Houser. Although these two instructors were relatively new to the certification process (for Syska it was her first exam), their performance was phenomenal. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the examination process.

It occurred to me that if I was having fun, it was a sure bet that their students were having fun as well. The way an instructor presents herself to an examiner is an excellent clue as to how the instructor presents herself in a lesson or group class. A professional exam is a very high stakes, high pressure situation - ask Syska and Chrystee!

These wonderful young teachers inspired me to write a column about what makes a professional certification exam great. Here are some of the reasons why Syska and Chrystee's exams were so outstanding.

1. They were impeccably dressed.
Examinees who take great care choosing their attire demonstrate respect for the Examiner and for the examination process. This is a professional test and you will be expected to perform to national standards of competence. Sloppiness in your dress can portend an even more serious sloppiness in your dancing and your professional behavior.

2. They were friendly and acknowledging from the moment I walked into the ballroom.
As is often the case, I had flown up to Oregon from San Francisco to give these exams. Chrystee and Syska greeted me enthusiastically as soon as I arrived and told me how much they appreciated my coming to Oregon for their examinations. They made me feel respected and valued, and I'm sure their students feel respected and valued as well.

3. They were completely prepared for every aspect of the exam.
Excellent preparation is the single most determinative factor in great professional exams. Chrystee and Syska had their music ready and cued; they danced beautifully, and had no trouble at all with their amalgamations.

Most impressive of all, however, was their preparation on the theoretical portion. When I would ask them to demonstrate a technical element, for example the leader's amount of turn in Cha Cha Crossover Breaks, both women would respond as if that were the most terrific question they had ever heard.

"I would be delighted to demonstrate the leader's amount of turn in the Crossover Breaks," they'd reply with joy, springing into perfect dance position. They would then proceed to state and execute the technical elements flawlessly, and with confidence.

It is all too often the case that examinees have not adequately prepared for this difficult portion of the exam. They may not have practiced saying the elements out loud while demonstrating the figure, or they may not have given enough time to studying before the exam. The worst case scenario occurs when an examinee gets frustrated, defensive and upset with the examiner. I can only wonder if this teacher also gets flustered and upset with her student when a lesson is not going well.

But none of these problems were apparent in Chrystee's and Syska's examinations. They were superlative in every respect, and they and their Dance Director Linda Staver should be very proud. These outstanding teachers are a tribute to the profession of ballroom dancing. I had no problem in awarding them both High Honors.

Thank you, Chrystee and Syska, for demonstrating to us all what it is that makes a great exam.

Diane is happy to answer your questions about the examination process. You can contact her through her web site www.teachballroomdancing.com, by email to diane@teachballroomdancing.com, or by phone to (510) 336-9426.