Testing

I started skating in group lessons that followed ISI (Ice Skating Institute) curriculum. ISI is an international governing body for recreational figure skating. There are 5 basic skills levels and 10 FS (Free Style) levels, each including up to 10 skills you needed to learn reasonably well before passing on to the next level. One session was 2 months long and at the end of each session the instructor would test each element and give you a pass or retry and feedback. I have to say that I was nervous every single test day. It wasn't expected to learn one level per session, so I had test days when I knew I wouldn't pass, and I still was nervous!

When I've got more serious about learning, I decided to test under USFSA (United States Figure Skating Association) that's affiliated with ISU ( International Skating Union) which is the international sport federation administering ice skating sports throughout the world. USFSA governs the competitions we see on tv. Their testing is a serious affair! They are judged by actual judges, certified judges, and for easier tests there is one judge but for more difficult tests there are 3 judges. 

There are testing sessions, scheduled months in advance, and the skaters register to test around a month before the test day. A coach needs to sign the registration form so you are basically pretested and don't show up unprepared. The skaters are all  dressed up and the test is presented in choreographed, confident, pretty and respectful manner. The testing sessions are several hours long and there is a announced schedule, grouping the skaters by levels. The skater has to be there an hour in advance. Everything is nerve racking! Being dressed differently than the practice clothes, waiting your turn while you see the other skaters nervous or happy or crying, having just 5 minutes for warmup, seeing the judges, being by yourself on ice...

The reasons the tests exists is to decide the skater level for competitions. But there are skaters that don't compete and still test. There are tests for MITF (Moves in the Field) which are to be passed first because are a prerequisite for FS and Pair Skating. Then there is Partnered Ice Dancing both pattern dances and Free Dance and also Solo Ice Dancing (pattern and free), which you don't have to test if you tested Partnered Ice Dancing. There are 8 levels in each category of tests and the last gives the skater the distinction to be called "gold medalist", to have the name published in the Skating Magazine and to be able to wear an official USFSA jacket embroiderer with the skaters name and the "gold medalist" title. Also for young skaters being a gold medalist seams to be a strong point for the college applications, because it shows commitment to hard work.

For the adults there is a separate testing track called the adult track while the other is called the standard track. The adult track has just 4 levels, and the requirements for passing are a little bit less strict. The 4th level is called the gold level and gives the adult skater the distinction of being an adult gold medalist.

As for me, even if I don't intend at this point to compete, I decided to test to both motivate and structure my training and to force me to train at a certain standard. For this reason, I also decided to test into the standard track. It's also a sure way to follow the progress I'm making, and to feel that I have a goal.