U.S. Figure Skating tests serve as a prerequisite for competition and offer an opportunity for athletes to achieve personal goals in the sport. Test sessions feature a panel of U.S. Figure Skating officials and offer skaters the opportunity to highlight their abilities and advance to the next level. When a skater passes the final test in each pathway, they earn the honor of becoming a U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalist.
For more information, click here.
Changes as of July 1, 2023
U.S. Figure Skating has changed the names of skating tests. Changes are intended to more accurately describe the skaters progression and accomplishments.
Pre-Preliminary & Preliminary names will remain. Preliminary will be followed by Pre-Bronze and advance through the Gold level. When a skater passes their Gold (Senior) test, they officially earn the title, “U.S. Figure Skating Gold medalist.” The new test names will correspond to this title directly.
The content and judging of the tests have not changed based on these name changes. For complete testing name changes, click here.
Skating Skills
Skating skills tests may be taken and passed independently of the singles, pair, pattern dance and free dance tests. A skater may take and pass skating skills tests higher than the corresponding singles, pair, pattern dance and free dance tests and still be qualified to compete in qualifying and nonqualifying competitions.
Skating skills are basic skating moves not set to music. Skating skills must be skated with good edges, control, flow, extension, carriage and rhythm. An even speed and flow should be maintained throughout. Maximum utilization of the ice surface is desirable. Ice coverage must not be obtained by the use of flat or shallow edges.
| Test Name until June 30, 2023 | New Test Name on July 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Moves in the Field | Skating Skills |
| Pre-preliminary Moves in the Field | Pre-preliminary Skating Skills |
| Preliminary Moves in the Field | Preliminary Skating Skills |
| Pre-Juvenile Moves in the Field | Pre-Bronze Skating Skills |
| Juvenile Moves in the Field | Bronze Skating Skills |
| Intermediate Moves in the Field | Pre-Silver Skating Skills |
| Novice Moves in the Field | Silver Skating Skills |
| Junior Moves in the Field | Pre-Gold Skating Skills |
| Senior Moves in the Field | Gold Skating Skills |
Singles
No singles test is a prerequisite to any skating skills test. Singles tests include jump elements, spins and a step sequence.
| Test Name until June 30, 2023 | New Test Name on July 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Free Skate | Singles |
| Pre-preliminary Free Skate | Pre-preliminary Singles |
| Preliminary Free Skate | Preliminary Singles |
| Pre-Juvenile Free Skate | Pre-Bronze Singles |
| Juvenile Free Skate | Bronze Singles |
| Intermediate Free Skate | Pre-Silver Singles |
| Novice Free Skate | Silver Singles |
| Junior Free Skate | Pre-Gold Singles |
| Senior Free Skate | Gold Singles |
Pairs
Pair skating is the skating of two persons in unison who perform their movements in such harmony with each other as to give the impression of genuine pair skating as contrasted with independent single skating. Attention should be paid to the selection of an appropriate partner.
Any pair test may be taken only after the candidate has completed the required skating skills test. No pair test is a prerequisite to any skating skills test.
| Test Name until June 30, 2023 | New Test Name on July 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Pairs | Pairs |
| Juvenile Pairs | Bronze Pairs |
| Intermediate Pairs | Pre-Silver Pairs |
| Novice Pairs | Silver Pairs |
| Junior Pairs | Pre-Gold Pairs |
| Senior Pairs | Gold Pairs |
Free Dance
A free dance is the skating by the tester(s) of a creative dance program blending dance steps and movements expressing the character/rhythm(s) of the dance music chosen by the tester(s). The free dance must contain combinations of new or known dance steps and movements including required elements composed into a well-balanced, whole unit displaying excellent skating technique and the personal creativity of the couple in concept, arrangement and expression. The program, including required elements, must be skated in time and phase with the music. The tester(s) should skate primarily in time to the rhythmic beat of the music and not to the melody alone.
| Test Name until June 30, 2023 | New Test Name on July 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Free Dance (partnered or solo) | Free Dance (partnered or solo) |
| Juvenile Free Dance | Bronze Free Dance |
| Intermediate Free Dance | Pre-Silver Free Dance |
| Novice Free Dance | Silver Free Dance |
| Junior Free Dance | Pre-Gold Free Dance |
| Senior Free Dance | Gold Free Dance |
Pattern Dance Tests (partnered or solo)
Pattern dancing consists of skating dances with specified steps and holds that are either set pattern dances, which must be placed on the ice surface as diagrammed in the rulebook, or optional pattern dances, which may be placed on the ice surface in any relation to the ice surface that the couple desires, provided that the edges and their relationship to the continuous axis are maintained, the pattern is not distorted and is maintained for each repetition and does not place the partners in awkward positions.
Pattern Dances already use the names Preliminary , Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Pre-Silver, Silver, Pre-Gold and Gold names.
However, U.S. Figure Skating will no longer identify the steps based on gender. There will no longer be “men’s steps” and “women’s (lady’s) steps”. The rule change for pattern dances, both partnered and solo, will now identify the steps as Lead or Follow. Athletes will now have the option to test the Lead or Follow steps regardless of gender.
Lead steps: steps that have been traditionally performed by male skaters
Follow steps: steps that have been traditionally performed by female skaters
This will create 4 pattern dance test tracks
- Lead Partnered PD
- Follow Partnered PD
- Lead Solo PD
- Follow Solo PD
Lead and follow are separate tracks Partnered and solo are separate tracks.