Tests and Skating Levels

Resources Test Sessions Calendar (updated 11/13) Judges Panel Test Forms Rulebook Order Form (PDF) Structure of U.S. Figure Skating (PDF)

Figure skating in the U.S. can be either competitive or recreational, and those learning to skate can choose either route. While competitive skaters are required to participate in the U.S. testing structure to eventually compete in qualifying competitions, recreational skaters can also opt to take tests in order to continually challenge themselves and their abilities.

The official tests of U.S. Figure Skating may be taken by all figure skaters who are members of a member club or collegiate club, individual members who are currently registered with U.S. Figure Skating and are otherwise qualified under these rules, as well as by members of a member association of the ISU.

Test sessions can only be held under the auspices and control of a member club. Fees are involved and vary by club. Sessions are organized and run under procedures outlined in the U.S. Figure Skating rulebook. Any person who is interested in participating in the U.S. Figure Skating testing structure is encouraged to purchase a rulebook. The rulebook addresses such questions as coaching and the conduct of candidates at test sessions.

Tests are marked on a "pass" or "retry" basis. Some tests have numeric marks associated with them that determine if the test is a "pass" or "retry." These are used to establish a "passing" average, and judges use this number as a basis for the quality of the test. Different tests have different standards for "pass" and "retry," along with different procedures for reskating elements in a test. For details, candidates should consult the rulebook for the particular test to be taken. If a test is marked "retry" a skater may not retake the test prior to the 27th following the date of the original test.

For all tests other than adult and masters tests, age is not a factor. To qualify for an adult test, the candidate must be 21 years of age or older. To qualify for masters tests, the candidate must be 50 years of age or older.

Kinds of Tests

There are several classes of tests in the U.S. Figure Skating structure:

1. Moves in the field (standard track and adult)
2. Free skate (or free skating) (standard track and adult)
3. Pairs (standard track and adult)
4. Compulsory Dance (standard track, solo, adult and masters)
5. Free dance (standard track and masters)

The order in which tests are taken is important. According to TR 2.02 in the rulebook: A candidate shall not be eligible to take a higher-level test until all of the preceding tests in the same category have been passed or completed except as otherwise specified in these rules.

In this section of the web site, we will provide very basic information on the elements required for each test. This information is provided only as an OVERVIEW of the tests; while the elements are mentioned, the detailed description and explanation of the elements is not. It is important to refer to the U.S. Figure Skating rulebook in order to understand all of the test rules and expectations before testing. Further description of the elements of each test is available in the rulebook.

Tests and Competitions

The skaters you see on TV or in other competitions at your local rink have all passed certain tests to compete at their current level. The chart below demonstrates which tests skaters must have passed in order to compete at a certain level in qualifying events.

TESTS AND COMPETITIONS
COMPETITION LEVEL	TESTS PASSED
Senior singles	Senior moves in the field test and the senior free skate test
Senior pairs	Both partners must have passed the senior moves in the field test and the senior pairs test
Senior dance	Both partners must have passed the senior moves in the field test, the gold dance test or higher and the senior free dance test
Junior singles	Junior moves in the field test or higher and the junior free skating test but no higher
Junior pairs	Both partners must have passed the junior moves in the field test or higher and the junior pairs test
Junior dance	Both partners must have passed the junior moves in the field test or higher, at least two pre-gold dances and the junior free dance test
Novice singles	Novice moves in the field test or higher and the novice free skating test but no higher
Novice pairs	Both partners must have passed the novice moves in the field test or higher and the novice pairs test
Novice dance	Both partners must have passed the novice moves in the field test or higher, at least one dance of the silver dance test and the novice free dance test
Intermediate singles	Intermediate moves in the field test or higher and the intermediate free skating test but no higher
Intermediate pairs	Both partners must have passed the intermediate moves in the field test or higher and the intermediate pairs test
Intermediate dance	Both partners must have passed the intermediate moves test or higher, the bronze dance test or higher, and the intermediate free dance test
Juvenile singles	Juvenile moves in the field test or higher and juvenile free skating test but no higher
Juvenile pairs	Both partners must have passed the juvenile moves in the field test or higher and the juvenile pairs test
Juvenile dance	Both partners must have passed the juvenile moves in the field test or higher, the preliminary dance test or higher and the juvenile free dance test
Championship Masters Free Skate	At least the standard intermediate free skate test, or prior to Oct. 1, 1977, the 3rd figure test
Championship Adult Gold Free Skate	The adult gold free skate test and no higher than the standard juvenile free skate test or the ISI freestyle 6 or, prior to Oct. 1, 1977, the 2nd figure test
Championship Adult Dance	One partner must have passed at least one standard, adult or masters pre-gold dance; the other partner must have passed at least one standard, adult or masters silver dance test

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