US FIGURE SKATING TESTING

Once a skater has passed the Basic Skills 6 level, he/she may opt to take tests as a means of continually challenging themselves and their skating abilities. Skaters are required to have a current membership in US Figure Skating to test. Your skater's coach will be the primary point of contact for specific questions regarding your skater's readiness and eligibility to test.

***IMPORTANT: If a skater has a Junior Membership in the Beaver County Figure Skating Club, which provides only a Learn to Skate USA membership, he/she will need to contact the Club President or Membership Chair to upgrade their club membership to receive a membership in US Figure Skating at least two (2) weeks prior to testing.***

Tests are available in the following disciplines: Skating Skills, Singles, Pairs and Ice Dance, and a separate track is available for adults ages 21 and older. As a skater advances, the tests become more difficult. The highest achievement in each discipline is the gold test, earning skaters the title of Gold Medalist!

Judging Forms for each test can be found under Test Forms | U.S. Figure Skating

Each form outlines the required elements and test standards/expectations, along with a diagram of any patterns that must be followed.

There are numerous elements that the judges are looking for in each test; however, the simplest way to describe the tests of the 2 main disciplines (Skating Skills and Singles) is that the Skating Skills tests focus on the execution of skills such as stroking, edges, spirals, and turns, while the Singles tests focus on the execution of skills such as jumps, spins, and sequences.

Test prerequisite for performing a Duet or Trio in the Holiday and Spring Show.

Test prerequisite for performing a Solo in the Holiday and Spring Show.

How To Test:

Skaters may test one of two ways:

Scheduled test sessions hosted by a figure skating club (in-person or virtual).
Submit a competition protocol from a sanctioned U.S. Figure Skating competition. This option is available for Free Skate, Pairs and Free Dance at the Juvenile-Senior levels and select Adult levels.

Before taking a Singles test, the corresponding Skating Skills test of that level must be passed first (i.e. skater must pass the Pre-Preliminary Skating Skills test in order to be eligible to take the Pre-Preliminary Singles test). On average, it takes a skater six years to pass their gold Skating Skills test and eight years to pass the gold Singles test. While this timeline varies with each skater, every test passed is an accomplishment and something to be celebrated!