Barre Fitness Alliance (BFA) Premier Equivalency Written & Practical Exam Preparation, Checklist, & Scoring metrics

Recommended resources to prepare for exam (written & practical):

  • Your training manual(s) from barre certification(s) you have completed

  • Webinars available on Members area of BFA website

  • Workshops presented by BFA  & BFA Education Partners

  • Barre Fitness by Fred DeVito & Elisabeth Halfpapp

  • Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain

  • My Improper Mother and Me by Esther Fairfax

  • https://www.barrealliance.com/barrebooks

  • https://www.barrealliance.com/learn

One-hour coaching session with BFA Master Trainer available at any time in the preparation process: $75.00 additional fee

New BFA members can apply first year $65.00 annual membership dues toward examination fee (request discount code)

Written exam

110 True/False & Multiple Choice questions including bonus scenario questions. 

Passing score of 80%

Topics covered include:

  • History of Barre

  • Anatomy

  • Exercise Science

  • Musicality

  • BFA Standard Exercises (Bank of exercises below)

  • How to put a class together

  • Modifications/Variations/Challenges

  • Hands-On Adjustments

  • Ethics


Practical Exam

Evaluation Categories

Your class will be evaluated in the following areas:

1. Demonstration

  • Clear and accurate execution of movements

  • Strong alignment and body awareness

  • Demonstrations support client understanding

2. Terminology

  • Use of clear, appropriate barre and anatomical language

  • Professional and consistent vocabulary

  • Avoidance of vague or misleading cues

3. Musicality

  • Movement aligned with beat

  • Uses phrasing effectively

  • Consistent tempo

  • Smooth transitions between exercises

4. Corrections (Verbal & Tactile)

  • Demonstrates both verbal and hands-on corrections

  • Clear, specific, and effective feedback

  • Safe and respectful approach

5. Variations

  • Ability to offer modifications and progressions

  • Adjustments based on participant needs

  • Maintains integrity of the exercise

6. Class Balance

  • Even distribution of muscular work

    • No major muscle group is overworked or neglected

  • Logical sequencing

  • Appropriate pacing and fatigue management

Scoring System

Each category is scored on a 1–5 scale:

  • 1 – Needs Improvement

  • 2 – Below Standard

  • 3 – Competent (Meets Minimum Standard)

  • 4 – Strong

  • 5 – Excellent

Passing Requirements

To pass the Practical Exam, candidates must:

  • Achieve a minimum score of 3 in every category

  • Demonstrate a balanced, complete class

  • Meet all format and section requirements

What Evaluators Are Looking For

  • Clear, confident instruction

  • Strong foundational knowledge

  • Safe and effective programming

  • Respect for the method


Premier Equivalency Practical Exam – Submission Checklist

Use this checklist before submitting your exam or attending your live evaluation.

✔ Format Requirements (Mandatory)

☐ Class is 45–60 minutes long
☐ At least 1 live participant present
☐ Music is included and audible
☐ Camera/view allows evaluator to clearly see:

  • ☐ Instructor demonstrations

  • ☐ Participant movement

  • ☐ Corrections (verbal and tactile)

☐ Class is full-body and balanced
☐ Exercises are selected from the BFA Exercise Bank (below)

✔ BFA Exercise Bank (Required Source for Programming)

Your class must include exercises selected from the following (plus appropriate stretches after each section):

Dynamic Warm-Up

☐ Dynamic warm-up (required)

Upper Body

Include exercises targeting:

☐ Biceps
☐ Triceps
☐ Shoulders
☐ Chest
☐ Back

Movement options may include:

  • ☐ Push-ups

  • ☐ Reverse Push-ups / Triceps Dips

  • ☐ Planks

Thigh Work

Select 2–3 exercises:

☐ Parallel Thigh
☐ V Thigh
☐ Chair
☐ Waterski
☐ Single Leg Lifts
☐ Knee/Thigh Dancing
☐ Wide Second
☐ Lunge
☐ Curtsy

Glute Work

Select 2–3 exercises:

☐ Standing Glutes
☐ Foldover
☐ Kneeling / All 4s
☐ Standing Pretzel
☐ Pretzel

☐ Sidw-lying
☐ Back Dancing
☐ Prone

Core Work

Must include:

☐ Curl / C-Curve
☐ Round Back

Optional:

☐ Flat Back

Cool-Down / Final Stretch

☐ Full-body stretch (required)

✔ Required Class Sections

☐ Warm-Up (dynamic, all planes of motion)
☐ Upper Body (all major muscle groups)
☐ Lower Body (thighs + glutes)
☐ Core
☐ Final Stretch

✔ Submission Options

☐ Video Submission

  • ☐ Video is clear and complete

  • ☐ Audio (voice + music) is balanced

OR

☐ Live Evaluation Scheduled

  • ☐ Session booked with BFA Master Trainer

  • ☐ $75 fee acknowledged

Common Reasons for Point Deductions 

☐ Exercises not from approved list
☐ Missing required sections
☐ Lack of muscular balance
☐ Poor musical timing
☐ No tactile adjustments
☐ Overly complicated programming
☐ Poor video/audio quality

Apply here