(Updated 5/21/2010)
In general, figure skating progress is measured by a series of tests, which are governed by the United States Figure Skating (USFS) Association. Skaters can be tested in Moves-in-the-Field, Freestyle, partner dance, solo dance and pairs skating, etc. At this time, EPFSC sponsors periodic testing sessions for skaters for Moves in the Field and Freestyle tests. Particular information about certain test requirements can be found in the United States Figure Skating Association Rulebook and through your skater's coaching professional. Information is also available through the USFS website at: http://www.usfigureskating.org/
When to Test
There are a number of factors that determine when a skater should take a particular test, these include, but are not limited to:
1.Are the skater's skills developed to a level to pass a test? Your coach will let you know when the skater is developmentally ready.
2.Be aware that the level of skating seen at competitions at any given level is much more advanced than the requirements to pass the test at that same level. For example, an axel jump is not required in the freestyle portion of the Preliminary Freestyle Test. However, most skaters who are competing at the preliminary level regularly include axels in their programs and sometimes double jumps as well. A skater's goals for placement at competitions should therefore be taken into account when deciding to test.
You should sit down with your coach and talk about all of these and other factors when the time comes to decide about taking a test.
Qualifications to Test
1.A skater must be a USFSA member in order to test.
2.A skater must be in good standing with their home club and any other club (all expenses paid currently and no suspensions). The Test Chairperson is notified by the Treasurer and/or Contract Billing Coordinator of any delinquent accounts.
3.USFS rules state that any skater wishing to retry a failed test must wait at least 27 days between test dates.
4.A skater must submit test application and fee to the Test Chairperson by deadline as outlined below.
When are test sessions?
EPFSC test sessions are set several months in advance and posted in the clubroom and on the EPFSC website. Skaters may also test at other club test sessions. Metro area test dates are posted on the TCFSA website at www.TCFSA.org.
The EPFSC conducts test sessions throughout the year. Test sessions are setup based on need and ice availability. Testing sessions, once scheduled, are posted on the Club Room bulletin board and the EPFSC website.
During the school year, test sessions are generally setup during the day, so the skater will probably miss part of the school day. This is done due to ice availabilitydue to limited ice availability in the evening during the school year.
The EPFSC Test Chairperson and assistant test chair make all the arrangements for the test sessions. This includes setting the dates and times, arranging for the ice, calling scheduling volunteer judges, setting the testing schedules, taking care of the judges hospitality room and reporting all test results to the USFSA & TCFSA.
Members of other clubs may be included in EPFSC test sessions, but priority is given to EPFSC members who submit their application and fee by the required deadline. Skaters from other clubs who have applied for testing by the deadline will be given priority over home club skaters with late application submissions.
Test Registration Procedures
1.Your skater's Pro will give an "Application to Test" form to either the parent or the skater. If the skater is given the application, it is their responsibility to give it to a parent so the deadline can be met. The Pro will sign the form where indicated. Application to Test forms are also located in a hanging file in the clubroom and on the EPFSC website.
2.Complete the test application, including the skater's USFS number, sign it (parent), attach a check made payable to "EPFSC-Testing" for the proper amount and either mail it to the Test Chairperson or put it in the Test Chairperson's file. The application must be in the Test Chair's file or RECEIVED (not postmark date) by the Test Chair in the mail no less than 10 days before the test. Late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the test chair and must be accompanied with an additional fee of $20.
3.If a test session is full, priority will be given to skaters based on EPFSC membership seniority. Again, those skaters with applications submitted by the deadline have priority over all late applications.
4.The schedule for test day will be posted in the clubroom 5-7 days before the test. Plan Arrive at the rink 30-45 minutes ahead of your scheduled test time, in case there have been any test cancellations prior to your test.
5.Test fees are NOT refundable.
6.Any skater from another home club testing at Eden Prairie, should follow the application to test procedures outlined above and also have a letter of permission from the Test Chairperson at their home club.
Skater and Spectator Guidelines for Test Day
- Dress and fix your hair as you would for a competition. Skaters may wear skate jackets/sweaters and gloves for a moves test, but it is best to remove them for a freeskating test.
- In order to provide the best atmosphere for a test, there should be a minimum of observers. The testing area must be kept quiet to avoid distracting skaters or judges. There should be no cheering, clapping or shouting. This is not a competition.
- The skater will be advised when and where to begin your warm-up. Generally, you will be allowed a 5-minute warm-up. You may receive coaching during the warm-up, but not during the test.
- On all tests there is one judge acting as the "judge-in-charge". This is the judge you should go to with any problems or questions during your test. You typically would introduce yourself to the judge in charge before starting your test.
- Respond as quickly as possible when the judge calls you to the ice.
- On occasion, the judges may ask you to reskate a jump, or other skating move. Do not leave the area until the judge-in-charge dismisses you.
- When your test is finished, the Test Chairperson will collect your test sheets from the judges and check them for mathematical accuracy. The sheets are then given to you, your coach and your parents. No one else is allowed to see your test papers without your permission. You may spend as much time as you like reading them and studying the judges' comments. The papers must be turned back in to the Test Chairperson before you leave the arena. Test results, whether you pass or not, must be submitted to USFS. The Test Chairperson will make copies of your test sheets for you and place them in your file within a few days of the test.
- In order to pass a test, you must receive passing scores from a majority of the judges (there are three judges for USFS tests). Note, however, that there is only one judge for pre-preliminary and preliminary tests.
- A room in the rink is designated as the judges' room. This is for the judges and Test Chairperson only. All others should remain out unless invited in by the judges or Test Chairperson.
- Remember that the judges are all volunteers who willingly donate their time to judge tests and competitions. They have spent a long time in training to become judges and they care a great deal about the sport of figure skating. Many of them were skaters themselves before qualifying to be judges. Trial judges are invited to participate in some test sessions. This is part of their training to receive their appointments as official judges. If time permits, the judges are generally happy to discuss a test and the results with the skater. Please be respectful of their time.
- It is important for all skaters to remember to thank the judges at the end of their test, if the opportunity presents itself.
Testing Fees (revised for tests beginning in 2007)
Fees for Moves in the Field or Freestyle:
Pre-Pre:$25.00
Preliminary:$30.00
Pre-Juvenile:$35.00
Juvenile:$40.00
Intermediate:$45.00
Novice:$50.00
Junior:$55.00
Senior:$60.00
•Non-EPFSC Club Skaters add $10.00 for administrative/hospitality fees.
•EPFSC Associate Members will pay non-member rates for testing, but they have priority over non-EPFSC members for space on the test ice (provided their application is in by the deadline.
If a skater submits application for two tests, where taking one is dependent upon passing the other (example: intermediate moves in the field and intermediate freestyle), HALF the fee for the freestyle test will be refunded if the moves in the field test is not passed (and therefore the freestyle test cannot be taken).
Testing fees cover the Club's costs for ice, USFS fees, TCFSA fees, judge's hospitality and gifts. In addition EPFSC purchases pins and patches for skaters in recognition of tests passed (awarded at the Spring Banquet).
Recognition for Senior Test Completion
EPFSC skaters passing their Senior Moves in the Field & Freestyle tests will be presented by EPFSC with a trophy and a USFS gold figure skating pin, respectively, to recognize their dedication to and accomplishments in the sport of figure skating. In addition, skaters passing their Gold Freestyle test will have their photo and name permanently displayed in our EPFSC trophy case at the EP Community Center.
Testing at Another Club
The EPFSC Test Chairperson DOES NOT register EPFSC skaters for other club's test sessions. It is the skater's responsibility
1.Check TCFSA website for dates and verify your coach is able to attend the test session with you.
2.Contact the Test Chairperson of the hosting club. Check availability & request a test application.
3.Complete and mail the signed application with necessary fee (there is typically a premium charged for non-member skaters).
**You will also need to obtain a permission form to test from the EPFSC Test Chair and submit this WITH your application to test. This is required and verifies to the host club that you are a skater in good standing with EPFSC. The host club will not process your test application without this additional form.
