Are commended and pass plus considered low grades in RAD ballet exam?

Answer 1

Yes they are on the low side for sure. In the UK we now only have Pass / Merit / Distinction with marks of 65 for pass, 75 for merit and 85 for distinction.

It is not wise to put a student in if they are only get a pass or a low merit as they are not suitably ready to tackle the next grade if their work is not ready to get more than a pass or low merit in the grade they are in,.