tests?I'm confused!

[froggy]

I'm fairly new to adult skating...and loving it! What's this I hear about testing at pre-bronze...silver etc.? What does all of that mean? what is required and where do you test..or is it a competition? Please inform a beginner who is real curious.

happy skating!

[NoVa Sk8r]

Basically, the competitive world of adult skating is divided into the pre-bronze, bronze, silver, and gold levels. (After gold, one can enter the masters level and move into the standard track at the intermediate level by passing the intermediate moves in the field/FS tests.) Each level has a moves in the field (MIF) test that one must pass before taking the subsequent freestyle test. The moves are plucked from the standard track arena.

Here are some links to the MIF (http://www.sk8stuff.com/f_rules/mif_test_elements_adult.htm) and FS test (http://www.sk8stuff.com/f_rules/singles_fs_test_elements_adult.htm) requirements.

You can take the test at any skating club--even if you're not a member (you'll just pay more money and sometimes be placed on a waiting list to allow club members first access). Most medium/large clubs usually offer one test session per month.

Once you pass the FS for a particular level, you are at that level. But almost all competitions (save for non-qualifying events like nationals) allow you to skate up a level. So, for example, if you've passed up to the bronze FS test, you can oftentimes skate up to the silver level. Bear in mind that each level has its own competition requirements--elements that are considered necessary for a "well-balanced program (http://www.sk8stuff.com/f_rules/adult_singles_freeskate.htm)." These are more complex than the test requirements.

Happy skating!

[Mrs Redboots]

Can I just point out that what Nova said only applies if you happen to be from the USA and skating under their national association rules; different countries have different systems, and the tests are called by different names, although they are fairly equivalent. As far as I know, only the USA has an adult track - if you are not skating under their auspices, you have to do the same tests as the kids.

[Isk8NYC]

May I also add that Nova's description is for US Skating (formerly US Figure Skating Association/USFSA). This is our national league and it is recognized by the ISU as the organization that chooses our Olympian competitors through a series of tests and qualifying competitions. The USFS organizes a learn-to-skate lesson program called "Basic Skills." For more info: www.USFSA.org (http://www.USFSA.org).

In addition, there is another league called the Ice Skating Institute, which is tightly tied to the skating facilities themselves. www.skateisi.org (http://www.skateisi.org) This is a "recreational league" that offers a test and lesson structures as well as competitions. Except for Invitationals, competitions are open to anyone and are divided by age and test level. The ISI is an international organization.

Welcome to skating in the USA!

[phoenix]

Hi Froggy,

I wanted to clarify a few things for you: (this is really long so feel free to plow through it at your leisure!) :)

All of this is regarding the USFS program.

Tests are what qualify you to compete at any given level. Watching a test session is a little like watching a competition--but the skaters are skating against the book, not each other. There is a panel of judges (3), and you go out one at a time to skate your test. And you get dressed up for a test--more so at the higher levels than the low ones. To pass a test, you have to receive a minimum score from 2 out of the 3 judges (in other words, one judge could fail you but you still pass the test). The scoring is still based on the 6.0 system, and for each level, the minimum score needed to pass goes up. So for pre-silver dance, I think you need a 3.7 score, and for silver, you need a 4.0. And so on.

There are different "tracks" of testing which you've heard some people mention. Anyone under 25 is required to test on the "standard" track. Sometimes we adults just call it the "kids'" track. The levels in standard testing are:
pre-preliminary
preliminary
pre-juvenile
juvenile
intermediate
novice
junior
senior

The "adult" track is for people over 25, and the levels, as someone has already mentioned, are pre-bronze, bronze, silver, gold.

The adult tests are designed for someone who didn't skate as a kid & who may not be able to get very far on the standard track. So it gives the adults more attainable goals to reach for. Note: an adult doesn't *have* to test on the adult track. They may choose to. Many adults test standard for moves in the field, less for dance and freestyle. However, if an adult wants to compete, they do have to test on the adult track, as that is what ranks them by level for competition.

Moves in the Field (or just "Moves") is a series of footwork exercises designed to demonstrate speed, power, edge quality, extention, etc. Each element in a moves test has a certain focus which is considered the most important thing to show as you skate it. You can see the moves requirements in the link that someone provided on the thread. A moves test is skated without music, and after you do each element, you come to a complete stop and then go to your starting point on the ice for the next one. You are allowed to take a little time between elements to catch your breath, get a quick drink, or talk to your coach. And whether you are testing standard or adult, you have to pass the moves test for any given level before you may take the corresponding level freestyle test. Ice dancers are not required to take moves tests at all (unless they compete in qualifying competitions), though most do take them at some point.

Freestyle tests are what people are most familiar with, as that's the program with music like we're used to seeing in competitions. For each level there's a list of required elements that must be included, and then you throw in whatever else you can! Also, the higher the level, the longer the program is required to be.

Ice dance tests are skated with a partner, and the names of the levels is different than for moves & freestyle. The levels for ice dance are:
preliminary
pre-bronze
bronze
pre-silver
silver
pre-gold
gold
international

While the required elements for standard & adult are completely different in moves & freestyle, the dance test requirements for adults are the same as for the kids--though there are 2 big differences. One is that the adults have a lower passing score than the kids. The other is that on the standard track, once you are at the silver level you have to skate the dance with a partner, and then also solo it. The adults never have to solo the dance at any level.

Complicated, yes? It's not really too bad.

Well that should give you a good overview of the world of testing! If your rink hosts test sessions it would be interesting for you to go watch for awhile & you can see how it works.

Best of luck to you w/ yor skating!!

[froggy]

Thank you for all your help and resources!!

all the best and happy skating to one and all!!