Jenlyon and Tech,

Thanks for pointing out my mistake about the passsing averages. Nevertheless the two tests, Adult Gold Moves and the Intermediate Moves are the same with the exception of Pattern #3. Otherwise, it is the exact same set of moves: the Adult Gold Moves doesn't have Pattern #3, and Intermediate doesn't have the double forward threes. The difference is really in the standard that the judges are holding you to, which is a higher standard of perfection, speed, power, and control on the Intermediate.

Tech, a big congrats for passing Intermediate...I admire you, grately it is not an easy test.

Unless this was changed at GC, you may not retest for 27 days.. but may on the 28th day (this is so you can retest a month later if you belong to a club that holds tests once a month on the same day of the week -- i.e. the 3rd Friday of the month).

I print and sign my name on judging forms. And I print all my comments in pen so they are easier to read. But it would be much easier for me to write all my comments legibly if the skaters would ALWAYS stop at the conclusion of each test element (or each direction of each test element) rather than pushing through the entire test as if it were a race and there are bonus points if you finish in under the time alloted for the test which does not give the judges time to write legibile comments in small spaces.

And yes, I'm also a skater who happens to judge... so I can see both sides of this topic.

Yup! You are right, it's 28.....sorry, I was really tired when I was typing this.
-Kristin

We judges really DO try to write clearly, but if you ever have a question, just ask us. I like to write *while* I am watching a test (a skill no one ever learns in school, LOL!), but I just want to make sure not to miss anything. everything happens soooo fast on the ice when you are on the other side of the wall....

Kristin

A heater in the judges' box during a test would help out greatly. There has been more than once that I have sat in the box judging for more than an hour straight and I swear my fingers are going to freeze/fall off! I go home very chilled by the end of a test session (it really creeps up on you when you are just sitting there).

Not knocking anything you said (above) since I skate too & have gotten some illegible test papers in the past. But if you have a question about comments, just ask the judges! We don't bite.

Kristin

THAT would get a 2-thumbs-up from this judge!!!

Kristin

Me 3... I've had several situations where to use the choice of words I want, or to write extra-legibly takes more space than I have ... (Sometimes I draw a minor sketch to illustrate what I mean with a comment...)

And yes, after about an hour or so straight of sitting or standing at the barrier, even with gloves or hot pockets, the hands get stiff, making writing very difficult.

I quickly acquired a real respect for writing cleanly and quickly when I started trial judging. Especially the first time the JIC asked me what my writing said...

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

Geesh, that would be a problem. At every test session I've experienced the skater is required to wait for a signal from the head judge or test chair before beginning a move.

To all of the judges out there who print their names, kudos to you, because you are one in a million. I've taken over twenty tests and have never been able to make out anyone's name.

Shame on the clubs and, or rinks, who can't hook up a space heater for you, or at the very least provide you with blankets for your laps.

Our coaches tell us not to make you wait and to do one move after the other, rarely stopping for a sip of water. That's how I have been instructed. This is good to know, because now I will take a break between each move to allow you to PRINT your comments clearly.

That's strange, b/c my coaches instructed me to WAIT between each move and to watch for their signal to start the next test...b/c they need time to write down their comments. *shrug* (Of course, whether or not it's legible is another thing... ) And I DO tell them that I would do that when I first go up to them to confirm which test I'm doing, etc. before I start the test.

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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 think it varies from club to club.

At my club, both our MIF/FS and Dance test chairs announce as appropriate. Not just the next skater(s) but which move to do (for MIF) or for dance, the dance with coach and if there's a solo, a separate "so and so for their solo <whatever dance>"

This helps all of us (judges, coaches, skaters) move things along, and ensures both that the judges are finished (at least mostly finished) the previous skater or segment and that the skater is ready to go. And with the lower level tests, it helps remind the skater what to do next.

For our MIF/FS tests, except for the Pre-Prelim/Pre-Bronze tests, which we generally single-panel, the skater doesn't normally approach the judges unless called over by the test chair or the judges.

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

Our test chair brings in a kerosene heater. She even did that for the "mini" test session, when the judge was only going to be there for 40 minutes! That's always an option for you and Pairman; unfortunately, our next test session is less than 27 days away and the next one won't be until Nov - but I do understand the club is using different judges now than they did a few years ago.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

I dont know about everyone else, but for me our club is kind of small, and we have to bring in guys to partner for dances, usually we try to take one test, even if we're not sure we'd pass...but for other tests my coach makes sure i'm more than ready.

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dont eat me

there might be different rules where I am, because one time i retried a test 12 days after the original try, and there was another time i retried the whole test the same day. i think the judge gets to pick if you retry the test that day or something...but the rules are most likely different.

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dont eat me

[QUOTE=techskater]I know there was a Novice move on the Gold test until September 2005, but I didn't know the back power 3's used to be on the Gold test. When was that?

She's saying that the Novice move used to be on the Gold test and was replaced and that the power threes on Intermediate are her evil doers...

Hey all,

Sorry to lag behind on this topic.

Standard Track:
Moves
Pre-Preliminary: passed
Preliminary: retry, passed
Freestyle
Pre-Prelminary: passed
Preliminary: passed

Adult Track:
Moves
Pre-Bronze: passed
Bronze: passed
Silver: passed
Gold: passed
Freestyle:
Pre-Bronze: passed
Bronze: passed
Silver: passed
Gold: passed

So here's the total:

Total tests take: 13
Total tests passed: 12
Total tests retried: 1

Whoah!! I had no idea that Gold free was the 13th test I've taken. That would have made me even more nervous than I already was.

Take care,

Frank

Yes, they both have the nasty habit of taking you for a wild ride! I'm finally getting those back power 3's under control these days, but they still have their moments. . .

I'm guessing where you are is outside the US? Because the USFS rules specifically state you cannot retake the same test for 28 days. It's not up to the judges, the club test chair or anyone else. And both passing and "invited to retry" tests are submitted to USFS so they CAN check on test dates... but I don't know if they ever do.

Because our tests are usually double paneled (up to Novice), we have to wait until both skaters have been nodded at to start the next pattern. At my club, we are allowed to take a sip of water, use an inhaler, blow our nose, etc at the end of each pattern. I couldn't imagine taking an Intermediate or Novice moves test without being able to stop for a moment. Even with all the training for stamina, we're only human.

My DD believes the number 13 is her "lucky number." Maybe it's yours, too!

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I have just passed my level 4 compulsories, level 1 free dance and level 1 variations (all solo dance) last month!
I have also done novice, prelim and bronze synchro
novice and prelim free and elements
and prelim field moves
I get all confused with dance moves but the next one I'm taking is level 4.
I make that 14? I think!

I have been credited with a lot more tests than I've passed!

I took the old Novice Dance back in 1997 or so - which credited me with Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the new system.

I took Novice Dance moves, which credited me with levels 1 and 2 of the new system.

And I took Level 1 Free Dance, which didn't credit me with anything other than Level 1 Free Dance!

So I've only taken three tests, but am credited with having passed six!

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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!

Sorry - jumping onto an old thread but it interested me!

Tests passed
Free Skating - Levels 1, 2 and 3 elements and free
TOTAL - 6

Field Moves - Novice, Prelim and Interbronze
TOTAL - 3

Dance Moves - Levels 1, 2 and 3
TOTAL - 3

Compulsories - Levels 1-5 (although 1 and 2 were novice 1 and novice 2 I took them in 2002 I think - pretty much on the closing date for the latest changeover - but they were the same as levels 1 and 2 now)
TOTAL - 5

Free Dance - Levels 1-4
TOTAL 4 (5 taken though as had to redo level 2)

Variation/OD - I did the old elementary variation in 2002 so I think that gives me level 4 OD.
TOTAL - 1 (but credited with 4)

Synchro - Novice and Prelim
TOTAL - 2

So I have taken 25 (1 retry), passed 24 but actually credited with 28!

Wow - thats a lot more than I thought! All in the last 4 1/2 - 5 years!