Week 1: First Dances Couples performed either the
cha-cha-cha or
foxtrot, and are listed in the order they performed.
Week 2: Top 12 Couples performed either the
jive or
quickstep, and are listed in the order they performed.
Week 3: Iconic Dances Week Celebrities chose an iconic routine from the previous fourteen seasons and tried to make it as "iconic" as it previously had been. Couples are listed in the order they performed. There was a double elimination this week.
Week 4: Opponents' Choice Week All of the celebrities selected a dance style for one of their opponents.
Paula Abdul served as guest judge. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 5: Guilty Pleasures Week The two couples with the highest total cumulative point average became team captains and selected teams for the Team Freestyle. The captains were Gilles & Peta and Shawn & Derek. Due to a presidential debate on October 22, this week of competition consisted of two performance shows: October 22 and 23. There was no elimination. Couples are listed in the order they performed. ;Night 1 ;Night 2
Week 6: Country Week Each couple danced to a country song. Each individual routine included a solo portion by the celebrity. All of the couples also did a group dance. The couple that impressed the judges the most received two bonus points; that was Kirstie & Maks. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 7: Dance Fusion Week Each couple performed a fusion dance of two previously learned dance styles, followed by a
swing dance marathon. Due to the presidential election and the effects of
Hurricane Sandy for East Coast viewers, no elimination took place.
Mark Ballas performed with
Shawn Johnson this week, because
Derek Hough was out with an injury. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 8: Veterans Day/Trio Week In honor of
Veterans Day, the first round featured performances to songs that pay homage to servicemen and women. Each couple also selected one professional who had either been previously eliminated or had participated in the dance troupe to perform with them in their Latin routine. There was a double elimination. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 9: Semifinals The couples performed one unlearned dance to a song from
Michael Jackson's album
Bad and one dance chosen by the other couples. This was another double elimination this week. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 10: Finals On the first night, each couple performed their favorite dance of the season and a super-sized
freestyle routine. On the second night, they performed an instant dance in which they had to choose their dance style and music that night. Couples are listed in the order they performed. ;Night 1 ;Night 2 ==Dance chart==