U.S. FIGURE SKATING Testing The U.S. FIGURE SKATING test levels were created many years ago. They range in difficulty from Pre Preliminary to Senior (Gold) test. They are used nation and world wide as set standards for competition placement, competition judging, and as a general standard. Several times during the year U.S. FIGURE SKATING tests are conducted throughout the State of Minnesota.
They are judged according to standards established by the USFSA. A complete description of each test can be found in the USFSA Rulebook.
Coaches will decide when skaters have developed sufficient skill and are completely prepared to test.
USFSA Moves in the Field andFree Skating Tests Structure includes Pre Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior and Senior (Gold Freestyle).
There are two components of the USFSA Free Skating Test Structure: 1) Moves in the Field; 2) Freeskating Program with Music. The Moves in the Field are skated prior to the Program with Music and must be passed as a prerequisite. One retry for one of the Moves in the Field will be allowed if the judge (on a single judge panel), or a majority of the judges deem it necessary. If that element is satisfactorily completed on the second attempt, the skater shall pass the test. If the Moves in the Field portion of a test is not successfully completed, the Freestyle Program with Music may not be taken.
The Freeskating Program with Music comprises the second portion of each test after the Pre-Preliminary test. All required elements for each program must be successfully completed in order to pass these tests. If more than two of the required elements are missed, this portion of the test must automatically be retried (the Moves in the Field do not have to be retried). If one or two elements are missed, they may be retried after the skating of the Program with Music. These elements will be retried in isolation and without music. If successfully completed, the skater will have passed the test. The Moves in the Field themselves do not have to be included in the choreography of the Freeskating Program with Music, but it is hoped that some of the skills learned in these tests will be in evidence even if the exact stroking and footwork are not actually incorporated in the program. It is expected, however, that the ability to achieve speed, maintain flow, skate on strong curves, and skate increasingly more complex and difficult footwork will become more evident as skaters advance in the test structure.
The fee for testing will vary with the level of test and will be stated on the test application that you will get from the host club and your coach.
