1. Skater Development and Volunteer Conference 2007 TEST DAY INFORMATION Presentation Some information gathered from the Skate Canada 2006 Rule Book Amanda Montgomery

2. Skaters across Canada may choose the STARskate program, learning core figure skating skills and taking tests at organized test sessions (otherwise known as test days).

3. Other skaters may wish to enter the Skate Canada Competitive Program which also has tests which a skater can try.

4. The Skate Canada STARskate program offers opportunities for skaters “try tests”, in four different areas: Interpretive, Dance, Free Skating, and Skating Skills.

5. These four different areas of skating are then grouped into the following levels: * often larger clubs will hold Low, Intermediate, and High Test Days which follow the levels outlined below*

6. PRIMARY LEVEL TESTS Skating Skills: Preliminary, Junior Bronze Free Skating: Preliminary, Junior Bronze Dance: Preliminary, Junior Bronze Interpretive: Introductory

7. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL TESTS Skating Skills: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver Free Skating: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver Dance: Senior Bronze, Junior Silver Interpretive: Bronze

8. SENIOR LEVEL TESTS Skating Skills: Senior Silver, Gold Free Skating: Senior Silver, Gold Dance: Senior Silver, Gold, Diamond Interpretive: Silver, Gold

9. ORDER OF TESTS A candidate for a test must have passed all of the preceding tests in the same category in each of the disciplines. For example, a skater must pass the Preliminary Skating Skills test prior to attempting the Junior Bronze Skating Skills test.

10. There are two exceptions: 1.Free Skate Tests can be taken in parts (elements and program). For example, a skater must pass Junior Bronze elements part in order to progress to the Senior Bronze elements. This skater is not required to pass the equivalent program portion to progress.

11. 2.In the Competitive Test Program, skaters can begin testing at any level. More information on the Competitive Test Program to follow...

12. EVALUATION OF TESTS A single evaluator assesses all the tests in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program. Evaluators are trained to apply set standards to the Skate Canada test being taken and assess if the candidate has mastered the required skills in order to progress to the next level. All Skate Canada STARSkate tests are evaluated on a scale that includes Needs Improvement, Satisfactory, Good and Excellent. Each test has its own specifications as to what must be performed at a Satisfactory or better level in order to pass the test.

13. COMPOSITION OF TESTS

14. SKATING SKILLS TESTS The Skating Skills program consists of six levels beginning with the Preliminary Skating Skills Test and ending with the Gold Skating Skills Test.

15. →A Skating Skills exercise is a combination of fundamental skating movements, executed on a pattern and skated solo to prescribed music. →The movements are derived from compulsory figures, free skating and ice dancing. →Each exercise is unique and focuses on various technical abilities, in a logical progression from Preliminary to Gold.

17. FREE SKATING TESTS There are six free skating test levels in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program: Preliminary, Junior Bronze, Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Senior Silver and Gold. Each test level consists of Elements in Isolation and a Free Program, which can be tested separately.

18. Elements in Isolation →The Elements in Isolation part of the Free Skate tests consists of stroking exercises, jump and spin elements, field movements and step sequences. →At each level there are 14 elements, of which 12 must receive Satisfactory or better evaluations in order to pass that portion of the test. →At the request of the evaluator, a maximum of four elements in isolation in Free Skating tests may be reskated once if necessary to pass. In all cases, the better attempt shall be counted. →The candidate may elect to reskate an unsuccessful element immediately or at the end of that portion of the test. →On each of the six free skate tests, all stroking exercises must be assessed as Satisfactory or better in order to pass that portion of the test.

19. Free Program →The Free Program portion of the test is a program of specified length, set to music of the candidate’s choice. →The program must contain certain elements (successfully completed) in order to pass the test.

20. DANCE TESTS Consisting of seven levels of tests, the Dance Test Program teaches timing, musicality, rhythm interpretation, structure as well as basic skating skills such as edges, flow, control and unison.

21. →The dances in the STARSkate Program can be tried in any order but a candidate must pass the required number of dances in a dance test before proceeding to the next level. →In addition to the compulsory dances, there are also Creative Dance tests, which can be taken in place of compulsory dances at certain levels. DANCE TESTS continued

22. →For tests, a couple shall be comprised of a male and a female, each skating their own steps. In the event that a female candidate is unable to secure a male partner, another female skating the male’s steps may partner her. This is also allowed in the Creative Dance tests. DANCE TESTS continued

23. →A female can skate the man’s steps and receive credit for a dance test apart from the credit received for performing the female steps (i.e. dance tests may be taken more than once). →If the skater elects to take a dance doing the partners steps, this must be noted on the test sheet. DANCE TESTS continued

24. →An evaluator may request a solo in order to determine if the candidate was assisted to too great an extent by the partner, to verify knowledge of steps, pattern or timing or to assess basic dance skills. →When an evaluator requests a solo, it does not mean that a skater is automatically going to fail that particular test – it provides an additional opportunity for the skater to prove his/her readiness for the next level! →It is important to note that an evaluator may not request a solo for the Preliminary and Diamond dance tests or a candidate who is 25 years of age or older. DANCE TESTS continued

25. INTERPRETIVE TESTS → Interpretive skating was introduced into the Skate Canada STARSkate program in order to encourage creativity and movement to music, and to provide an opportunity for those skaters wishing to explore the performance aspect of skating without focusing on technical elements. →Skaters can take tests as individuals or as a couple (male/female, female/female, male/male) at the following levels: Introductory, Bronze, Silver and Gold. →There is no age requirement to try Interpretive tests and vocal music is permitted.

26. COMPETITIVE TEST PROGRAM The Competitive Test Program is a testing program for skaters in singles, pairs and dance wishing to compete in qualifying events within Skate Canada.

27. →Skaters take tests specific to the discipline in which they wish to compete. →Skaters wishing to compete in the qualifying event stream have to pass these tests in order to be eligible to compete. →Competitive tests were introduced to help standardize the level of competition in events across the country and to further differentiate between the Competitive and Test Programs. →Skaters may enter the Competitive Program at any time, and may choose to switch to another Skate Canada program at any time. Competitive test program cont’d

28. ORDER OF TESTS →There are no prerequisites for competitive tests, meaning that a skater or dance or pair team may begin testing at the level at which they wish to compete. Candidates may alsoattempt higher levels of tests and still compete at lower levels as long as all other eligibility requirements are met. →As further incentive, skaters passing competitive tests are granted equivalencies in the Skate Canada STARSkate Program. →If a skater chooses to switch to the Skate Canada STARSkate Program from the Skate Canada Competitive Program they can continue testing from the level at which they have been granted equivalencies. Competitive test program cont’d

29. EVALUATION OF COMPETITIVE TESTS →Competitive tests are conducted by a panel of three judges (though a single judge known as a single panel can be used with permission from the Section Evaluators/Judges Chair). →Candidates are assessed on their apparent ability to compete at the entry level within the corresponding event level (e.g. Pre-Novice Singles). Judges award two marks for each competitive test as follows: Singles (Free Program) – Technical Merit, Presentation Pairs (Free Program) – Technical Merit, Presentation Dance

30. COMPOSITION OF TESTS SINGLES -consists of a free skating program only. -specific standards have been established by the Skate Canada Skating Programs Committee (and approved by the Board of Directors) which are to be strictly adhered to. -The Competitive Singles Test Standards Manual can be purchased on- line or bycontacting National Office. PAIRS -consists of a free program only. -No specific standards have been set for these tests at this time, but candidates must meet the requirements of a well-balanced program as determined for that level. -Candidates are assessed on the same criteria as outlined for the Competitive Singles Test, but also including the category of Unison. ICE DANCING -Each of the Competitive Dance tests is slightly different from the other, reflective of the level of candidates taking the test. -Candidates may try the test as a couple, or individually if one of the partners has already passed the test being taken.

31. TEST FEES Free Skating $10.00 per part Dance $10.00 per dance Interpretive $10.00 per test Skating Skills $10.00 per test Competitive $20.00 per test

32. GENERAL TEST DAY INFORMATION → The executive position responsible for test day is the Test Chairman →Coaches enter a preliminary list of tests they wish to submit for test day (3 weeks prior to test day) →For high tests, the Test Chairman submits these names to the Judges Bureau Coordinator →Coaches have a last chance to review their test list and pull any tests they do not feel are ready (2 weeks prior to test day) →The Test Chairman puts together a schedule for test day →The Test Chairman, often with the help of the Judges Bureau Coordinator, organize the evaluators who will evaluate at the test day →The Test Chairman will prepare a “test envelope” for each skater trying a test to submit payment for tests trying. The Test Chairman will hand out test envelopes to coaches/skaters around 10 days before test day. Test Envelopes are due before tests are tried.

33. WHAT TO EXPECT AT A TEST DAY →Skaters will usually be asked to arrive 1 hour before test time →The test day can run up to 30 minutes ahead of schedule →Skaters should dress appropriately as advised by their coach