Since so many of us are testing during the next couple of weeks, I thought it would be good to start a list of who's doing what when!

I'm testing Level 3 Dance Moves, and Husband level 4 next Tuesday, 20 February. We aren't going to pass - at least, I'm not, and Husband probably won't - but worth trying.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I'm doing my bronze field moves (which would give me an equivalency of level 6 on the new test system) on Wednesday 21st. And it's not going to be at my usual rink. And I already failed this test back in November. Panic panic.

I really hope I pass. I think I can I just need to concentrate but stay relaxed.

I also have level 6 compulsories and level 5 free dance tests on 26th March - I'm not yet freaking out about them.

Good luck to everyone.

Next Monday, the 19th, I'm testing pre-bronze MIF and freestyle...then a couple of hours later competing in compulsory and freestyle events at my first competition. Yeah, I'm more than a little freaked out. At least I'm volunteering all day, so I will have lots to take my mind off everything.

Julie

I'm testing the Killian on 3/14. It's seriously inconsistent & I'm considering bailing. I don't want to make a fool of myself! I'm giving it another week or two & then I'll decide if it is or isn't coming around.

I'm testing in April. This will be my first test so I'm already freaking out about it. Oh I'm testing pre-bronze moves (which I might pass) and contigency testing pre-bronze free (which if I manage to pass the moves, I will pass). Why is the free test soo much easier than the preceding moves?

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Happily defying the laws of physics when I skate...and not in a good way

If I could meet ole Axel Paulsen, I would kick him in the teeth

President and Founding member of the I hate Toe-Loops Club

Still a member, but trying to get out of the Pre-bronze peanut gallery.

Visit my skating journal

March 11 I'm going to test my solo Dutch Waltz and Canasta Tango for the (count it folks) FOURTH time. Encouragement test my you know what. Finally got the timing right the last time I tested and they didn't like my edges. I passed those silly dances with a partner nearly ten years ago and am a MUCH better skater now (no I haven't been skating for ten years---only started back up a year ago) And I'm going to go ahead and test my Rhythm blues cuz I do that as good as the other dances and if the judge is in a good mood...I just might pass it too and if not, well seems like if it takes five or six tries --I might as well start now.

I say judge because my old club feels sorry for me and they are going to single panel me with a judge who is known to be pretty easy.

And I refuse to freak out because as i reminded myself when I started cry when I didn't pass the last round "THis is not my career, this is not my health..this does not affect my future...it's just skating" I know that may be fighting words for some folk here, but for me, it keeps me sane and skating

Joelle

Absolutely true, Joelle - but it doesn't, alas, stop it being a ghastly moment when you don't pass! I am rather dreading it, as I'm very unlikely to pass, but won't have another opportunity to take this particular test. And that awful moment when you have to go up to the judge, and instead of shaking your hand they say "I'm awfully sorry, but....."....

I shall mind on the day, I rather suspect. But thought about rationally, I don't mind a bit - it will be just adrenaline.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I've got my first test tomorrow - Skate UK level 4, I think. Come to think of it, my coach didn't actually tell us what level it was - I'm just looking at the requirements and assuming...well that's a major confidence booster, not having a clue what I'm doing..

And I've got Skate UK Level 6 - potentially tonight.

However, I woke up this morning with a crick in my neck and hardly able to move my head, after lugging a laptop halfway up the country yesterday. I am well dosed up on paracetomol / codeine mix, so at least I will be relaxed!!

Problem is I have been having serious problems trying to master FO 3-turns, and it isn't going to be helped by not being able to turn my head!!

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Amanda

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance . . . "

My Skating Journal

I have NEVER tested and NEVER competed - heck, I only started skating on 18 January 2006 at the ripe old age of 56! - but I am going to take a shot at both at the same time somewhere between March 22 and 24 with a Pre-Introductory Interpretive at the Canadian Adult Nationals. How'zat for goin' "whole hog" - LOL! I figured I would "start at the top" and work my way down!

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

"And that awful moment when you have to go up to the judge, and instead of shaking your hand they say "I'm awfully sorry, but.....".... "

Oh wow - you actually here it from the judges? Here your coach gets the papers that say pass or retry and she gives you the news.

J

Yeah, the thing is, this *is* about my future and it *does* affect my career. I'm testing standard track, taking VERY expensive lessons, taking a lot of time out from regular work hours to skate/practice.....all because I want coaching to be about 1/2 my career time-wise, and I want to be able to coach all the way up through golds. To be qualified to do that, I have to test all the way up myself, and I have to do it Standard, just like my students will.

Those who think testing Adult dance is just a slight difference in points/no soloing, think again!! It's a LOT harder on the standard track. It's taking longer than I had hoped....and I'm 39 and I'm beginning to wonder just how long my body can work at this level.....I really do need to get through these tests! F-R-E-A-K-O-U-T!!

"Those who think testing Adult dance is just a slight difference in points/no soloing, think again!! It's a LOT harder"

And there is no adult standard for solo dance - same standard- adult or kids. My coach keeps suggesting I switch to partner, but I'd only be able to hire a partner for the test, I've have to practice solo....and by golly I'm ticked off now and want to pass the durn things!

J

I've been told they will be adding an adult track to solo testing, I think starting next year. You're right, at this point it's more difficult--not to mention it's always more difficult without a partner!

You think? The "at least 3 revs per spin" is a little easy compared to everything in the moves test, but for me, getting consistent with my toe-loop to the point that I know I'll do a good one, on command, is as hard as the moves.

Unfortunately, I did indeed freak out about my test. I was planning to get to the rink by 5:00 this morning so I could skate a freestyle and have a proper warmup before the actual test warmup at 7:00. Getting up that early proved to be a challenge, and while I could still have made the test, the impending sense of doom I felt for "not being able to practice" made me decide to chicken-out. Gawdess am I mad at myself! After all that practice, including getting up for a freezing-cold outdoor 6:00am session last week...

Well, at least this means I'll be good and ready when I do take the PB moves test in July, along with the freestyle as well.

Scarlet: people suggested that I go view a testing session, which I didn't have time to do, but since it'll be your first test as well, I'll pass-on the suggestion. Familiarity breeds contempt, which in the case of potentially scary events, is a good thing!

So I declare my 1st to skating nerves, but I'll be ready for the next time.

AND PS: a very heartfelt "Do Well!!" to everyone testing!

UPDATE: SCNY was nice enough to let me re-test in March without paying any extra. So March 14th, I'll pass PB MIF. *Thinking positive*

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Me, on skating. Me, on me.
"It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness." ~ Tolstoy, via JWeir.
"I am not a pretty girl. That is not what I do." ~ Ani DiFranco

Good luck Helen88 (tomorrow) & Airyfairy76 (tonight)!

I'm testing Bronze Moves, contingency Bronze Freestyle, Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, and Rhythm Blues on March 10th. Whew - that's a lot. I might as well move into the rink for the day

I am planning on viewing a test first. Unfortunately, no one in the area is testing adult pre-bronze in the next month or two. The club I am going to test at (though not my club) is holding a test session soon that will have a bunch of pre-pre testers (MITF) so I am going to watch that one so I can get a clue. Right now though, I am comfortably freaking out. Ask me how I feel in late March though.

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Happily defying the laws of physics when I skate...and not in a good way

If I could meet ole Axel Paulsen, I would kick him in the teeth

President and Founding member of the I hate Toe-Loops Club

Still a member, but trying to get out of the Pre-bronze peanut gallery.

Visit my skating journal

I'm not testing myself - but since I'm the test chair at my club, I'll be running a (Hopefully) huge test session preceding my club's Open. Two panels, and a scheduling nightmare for me. I run myself ragged during a small club test so I can image how this one will be. And then I get to work the Open for three days.

One thing to keep in mind: test chairs hate telling skaters they failed. Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news. And the judges I know hate failing skaters, too. They look for reasons to pass people and are generally willing to give skaters the benefit of the doubt, if they can.

Good Luck everyone!!

Good luck on all your respective tests, everyone!

I freaked out all of last year, so this year I'm taking a break from EVERYTHING including test to just skate, learn new skills and have fun (well, minus probably Skate SF late in the year!!!) I've EARNED THE BREAK!!!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

I was wondering if they cancelled the test session because of the weather.
(I guess they would have if the judges weren't able to get there.)

Pass that test, sunjoy!

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Testers - remember, you signed up for the test, you're ready, so:
You can do it!!!! Good luck!!!!!

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Trouble is, for many of us testing Dance or Field Moves in the UK over the next couple of weeks, that isn't so - we aren't ready! But these tests have to be taken before 1 March, so it was a case of do it now or not at all! So for many of us, myself included, it's actually rather a long shot. But we've nothing to lose - for us, Moves are tested separately from other skating tests, and we don't absolutely need them. Which is just as well, as it'll be a very long time before I can do the new Level 3 Skating Moves!

We've only just started getting a paper in the last couple of years - before, the judges' notes were just (I assume) passed on to NISA, and anything they had to comment on was done verbally. So now they make a quick note on the paper, sometimes no more than "Well done" or "Good", and sometimes not even that, and write down your marks and whether this was a pass or retry (they just have to circle that bit), and then when they've done that, they call you over. Tradition is that if you've passed, they hold out their hand to shake yours, and that is the signal for applause and cheers. They may or may not have any comments to make. If they can't pass you, they explain why not.

For skaters under level 6 Silver, only one judge is required, so if there are higher-level skaters testing who need two judges, they sometimes go first so the extra judge can go to work, or otherwise the judges alternate, with one judge doing all the level 1s, the next doing the level 2s, and so on, so each can get a break.

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I passed!!!! Skate UK level 5, here I come..... Apparently I need to work on my turns though...my feet just WON'T stay together.

Yay! congratulations from a fellow skate UKer!!!!!!

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Level one Field Moves......PASSED 05.06.08
Level one Free dance.....PASSED 02.10.08

GOALS FOR 2009

• Level One Compulsary dances.......PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Elements.....................PASSED 10.07.09
• Level Two Free dance.................PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Free...........................
• Level Two compulsory dances.......

Loving it, Loving it, Loving it!!!!!