I'm a lowly old learn-to-skater!

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AW1
mum to Miss Lil (6yrs old)
mum to be to #2 due in March 08

I'm pre novice (hopefully novice soon) in Canada..I think it's a bit different than the US.. are people in pre novice in the US usually the skaters with all their double jumps (maybe double axel ..but maybe not) and probably trying triples too?

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dont eat me

I, too, am "Other" - have NISA Level 1 Bronze Free Dance, Level 2 Bronze Skating Moves and Level 3 Bronze Compulsory dances!

We compete in those competitions run under similar rules to the USFSA as pre-Bronze, which seems about right. Adult Elementary in this country!

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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!

Ooo I forgot dance - whoops!

I'm have level 6 compulsories, level 5 free dance and level 4 original dance

Compete at adult intermediate in free and dance in the UK.

I have passed ISI Freestyle 3 and ISI Dance 3. I am working on improving my current level plus learning the next level. I am hoping to be ready to test USFSA Adult Pre-Bronze moves sometime in the next couple of years if I can turn my "goofy 8" into a "waltz 8".
Marcia

How do tests in the USFSA system compare to the ISI system? What levels are equivalent?

I know the USFSA competitive freeskate tests are easier in content than the Canadian equivalent i.e. Cdn Junior competitive must land a double axel to pass and Sr Competitive must land a triple plus a double axel to pass. USFSA international dances contain some dances, ie starlight waltz - that is on the Cdn senior silver dance test (US pre-gold) and some of the lower dances are different.

What about the UK? Used to be that dance tests started with the ISU 14-step level with no tests for the prelim - bronze level. How does it work now?

Well as far as tests go:

USFSA PrePreliminary=ISI FS 3
USFSA Preliminary=ISI FS 4
USFSA PreJuvenile=ISI FS 4
USFSA Juvenile=ISI FS 5
USFSA Intermediate=ISI FS 6
USFSA Novice=ISI FS 7
USFSA Junior=ISI FS 8
USFSA Senior=ISI FS 8

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We have hundreds of tests and they all cost a lot of money! Moves are now (since January) the same for all disciplines, and go from Level 1 Bronze to Level 10 Gold.

There are also 10 levels of tests for dances, in three streams - compulsory dance, free dance, and Original/Variation dance. The latter has a variation Rhythm Blues at level 1 Bronze, then a variation Canasta Tango at level 2, and after that it is an original dance at steadily increasing length and level of difficulty; the free dance tests just start at level 1 and also gradually increase in length, difficulty and passing standard.

I get confused with which compulsory dances are where after about level 7 Gold, there are 2 levels for levels 8, 9 and 10 and I can never remember which are which. But the lower levels are:

Level 1 Bronze: Novice Foxtrot and Rhythm Blues
Level 2 Bronze: Canasta Tango and Dutch Waltz
Level 3 Bronze: Riverside Rhumba and Golden Skaters' Waltz
Level 4 Silver: Fiesta Tango and Swing Dance
Level 5 Silver: 14-step and Willow Waltz
Level 6 Silver: Foxtrot and European Waltz
Level 7 Gold: Blues and American Waltz (I think)

Time was, above Level 6 Silver you divided into 2 streams, standard and competitive (for the wannabe elites). But, naturally, everybody wanted to be elite, so they've rather abandoned that, but I know that to compete Junior you have to have level 9, and Senior level 10 in whichever discipline. And I rather think you have to have level 8 for Novice, but I wouldn't swear to it.

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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 don't really fit into any of those categories- except maybe I'm still considered LTS? I've passed USFSA Freeskate 2, which I guess is a learn to skate level, but not a basic skills program level.

Even when I test, I won't be in those levels though, because I'm working on pre-bronze right now. (I should be able to do the freeskate, but those darn moves!)

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Im working on my senior bronze freeskate test, gold dances, senior silver skating skills and gold interpretive. I dont know what that qualifies under the poll check boxes.

Other because I'm ISI FS4 and I think I can pass USFSA adult pre-bronze and bronze.

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Revised Official 2010 Goals checklist
Skate __
New boots __
(lowering the bar for 2010 as I haven't skated in a year)

Thanks XOfivebyfive and Mrs Redboots. Perhaps we should start a thread comparing the different test requirements around the globe?

As for the UK dances, there are some familiar ones there for US and Cdn skaters! In Canada we have for test stream dance:

Preliminary: Dutch, Canasta, Baby Blues & optional creative (sort of an OD) dance
Junior Bronze: Swing Dance, Willow Waltz, Fiesta Tango
Sr Bronze: 14-Step, European Waltz, 10-Fox and optional creative dance
Jr Silver: Rocker Foxtrot, American Waltz, Harris Tango, Keats Foxtrot
Sr Silver: Killian, Starlight waltz, Cha-Cha congolato, Paso Doble, & optional Silver creative dance (more like a freedance) - need 4 to pass this level
Gold: Viennese Watz, Westminster Waltz, Argentine Tango, Silver Samba, Quickstep & optional Gold creatie dance (like a freedance) - need 4 to pass this level

Optional: Diamond Dances: Rhumba, Yankee Polka, Tango Romantica, Golden Waltz, Ravensburger Waltz, Austrian Waltz ( need 4 to pass level)

We used to have a Dance Variation, Bronze Rhythm Dance, Silver Interpretive Dance and Gold Interpretive Dance as a separate test stream but that disappeared.

Competitive dance is; Pre-novice stroking, Novice freedance, Junior freedance and Senior freedance --- technically you can have your senior competitive dance without ever passing a compulsory dance - just the freedance!!!

sasha, how old are you?

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Almost - level 7 is 22step and American (my new dances!)

Level 1 CD - Prelim foxtrot and rhythm blues
Level 2 CD - Canasta Tango and Dutch Waltz
Level 3 CD - Riverside Rhumba and Golden Skaters Waltz
Level 4 CD - Swing dance and Fiesta Tango
Level 5 CD - 14 step and Willow Waltz
Level 6 CD - Foxtrot and European Waltz
Level 7 CD - 22 step and American Waltz
Level 8A CD - Blues and Rocker Foxtrot
Level 8B CD - Tango and Silver Samba
Level 9A CD - Starlight Waltz and Kilian
Level 9B CD - Argentine Tango and Paso Doble
Level 10A CD - Viennese Waltz and Quickstep
Level 10B CD - Westminster Waltz and Rhumba

I think that is the correct list

They haven't abandoned competitive tests, they just incorporate them into NJS qualifying events these days. Those who haven't yet got their competitive tests have to reach at least level 8 free or level 6 dance to be eligible to enter a qualifier (and I assume higher than that for the higher levels).

Fiona

Sorry if I was a bit obscure! I have passed a Preliminary moves test, but not Freestyle because I wasn't sure what level I want to compete at. But now, I am not planning to compete until the fall, probably. I want to really compete once I get my Axel, in Preliminary or PreJuv. I don't want to skate for medals and be kept at Preliminary, for instance, until I can place there in competitions (considering many skaters at that level have at least one double, which will probably take me several months to land). So, why not? My coach and I all ready thought it would be convenient (for me) to take the highest test I can right now and gradually build up my skills. I apologize if I wasn't allowed to choose "Pre-Juvenile", but I assumed it's ok since I am taking the test soon anyway (and my coach emphasized that I could pass it after seeing my mitf...).

I apologize if that was a bit confusing!

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I've passed my gold passport for dance, and my bronze passport for figure. (And everything for the silver and gold figure except the *&^% multirevolution spins).

One of these days I plan to do some dance tests, and maybe some moves tests as well. I compete against people who have up to compulsory dance level 3, and I'm not generally outclassed, at least.

You certainly aren't - you can outskate me any day of the week, especially when you're partnered!

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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 intermediate STARskate... In Canada... I can almost land my axel (1/8 of a rotation missing) and I am learnig my double Salchow and double toe. Want to be a dance pair but I'm only on my European Waltz and I'm 14... Also Jr. Bronze Skills... All these level in skating confuse me...

Dani

No idea what the equivalent is, but I can do a spiral lifting the free foot to my head, I can do the toeloop, salchow, loop, and flip. My lutz is inconsistent and I'm working on the axel.
I can only do a scratch spin though in terms of spins. Sometimes, from a centered scratch spin (which is a rare occasion) I can do a pretty good backspin as well. Which is weird, because I rarely to never practice it (only when I feel myself getting a centered scratch spin, because that's the only way I know to do a backspin). Maybe because I like the loop jump so much.

in Dutch terms, I passed the F test yesterday. So from here on, it's on to the class tests.

Not sure about that - you can do dances which involve going (whispers) backwards

Actually, I can do backwards, it's that perishing turning round that gets me

Me too - why can't we do 2 foot turns in dance???

j

It would make life a whole lot easier, wouldn't it! I can turn round (mostly) just fine with a partner, but solo? You are so joking.... and my coach makes me practice the Prelim Waltz solo to help with just about everything. It's very slow and stately - but at least I'm not grinding to a halt.

But even still, in our free dance this year we have what we call the "losing speed manoeuvre" otherwise I simply can't get where I need to be for the next bit!

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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!

Hehehe "Losing speed manoeuvre" - that's what I'll tell my coach when she gives me something to slow me down so I won't skid before trying to jump.."

"Although I'd really prefer you jump without slowing down" is what she always tells me"

j

I've got quite a variety of levels in all sorts of disciplines now so maybe should concentrate on leveling them off.

These are all UK NISA national tests.

level 1 free skate and elements. Could pass level 2 in free but can't yet master the backspin to pass the elements part.

level 4 in moves (well the old interbronze Field moves which is new level 4 equivalent). This now counts for both free and dance.

Dance
level 2 in compulsory dance. Can do both level 3 compulsories and could pass this if I could be bothered to practice but I hate compulsory dance!

level 1 variation dance - took this just so I'd have a level in every discipline (except synchro!) since I object to the whole principle of a variation - what's the point in taking a perfectly good dance and cutting it in half and inserting a round of your own steps and then doing the second half. Crazy. Didnt take any more since level 3 was based on a level 5 compulsory but now will take level 2 sometime as level 3 is now an 'original dance' and I have competed original dance and know the one I did would have passed level 3 - just annoying to have to do the pesky level 2 variation first - aaaarrrrggghh!

level 3 free dance - took levels 1 - 3 all together and had to do the dance 3 times! Would have taken it as level 4 too but coach reckoned I'd be shattered trying to do it a fourth time though he was sure it would pass (and having seen what has passed at that level I wish I had done it again). Anyway I will probably take this level when I have my new free dance done.

Basically I have single jumps up to but not including Lutz.