FIGURE SKATING TESTS

If you want to pursue figure skating especially in the professional level, you must be willing to undergo and take some tests in order to make sure that you are fit and ready for the sports.

Figure skating to some is for recreation and to others it is for competition. It is actually the skaters’ choice whether to pursue it professionally or just treat it as a hobby. For those who want to compete, they have to take tests to qualify for competitions according to the figure skating rules. Recreational skaters can also take the tests to challenge themselves and their skills.

The tests can only be held under the member clubs but even individuals who are not members of the clubs and organizations can also take the tests. The testing fees depend on the clubs. For the United States Figure Skating one has to test before a panel of trained judges. For the Ice Skating Institute, coaches do the judging. You can either have a passing result or you can retry. The different categories of tests have their own figure skating rules as a basis for evaluation. There are also schedule for the tests which are to be taken again. All the tests are not specific with the age level except for the adult and masters tests. Adult test requires a candidate to be 21 years old or older while the masters require candidates to be 50 year or older.

The tests include: moves in the field (for adults and standard track), free skate (for adults and standard track), pairs (for adults and standard track) compulsory dance (standard track, solo, adult and masters) and free dance (standard track and masters). It is important to follow the order in taking the tests. Having the rule book which is also required for the candidates is important. Everything that needs to be known about the policies in figure skating is included in this book.

Figure skating tests must be taken seriously because your career as a figure skater and perhaps a coach will depend on the results of the tests.