Recreational Figure Skating FAQ
Note: The test
requirements listed here are meant as general information about figure
skating test in different skating programs. Both the detailed
requirements and the entire test structure may change from season to
season. Therefore, if you are planning to take any tests, consult your
coach, your local club or figure skating association about current
rules and requirements.
The FS tests are taken after passing the basic skills tests (alpha,
beta, gamma and delta)
- FS1: Forward inside pivot, two foot spin, forward
spiral back outside/inside edges, half flip, waltz jump.
- FS2: Ballet jump, half toe Walley, half Lutz, scratch
spin, 2 forward spirals, dance step sequence.
- FS3: Back outside or inside pivot, Salchow, change
foot spin, back spiral, toe loop or toe Walley, dance step
sequence
- FS4: Flip, loop, sitspin, half loop , two back spirals, dance
step sequence.
- FS5: Lutz, Axel, camel, camel-sit-scratch, backspin, dance step
sequence.
- FS6: Split jump, split falling leaf, Axel-half loop-flip,
double Salchow, cross-foot or layback or change sit spin, spin
combo (with change of foot and position), serpentine dance step sequence.
- FS7: Double toe loop or double toe Walley, 2 Walleys,
flying camel, combination spin including a flying spin and at least 4
different body positions (each held by 3 revolutions min.) and at
least one change of foot; one foot Axel-1/4 flip-Axel, jump in
opposite direction (flip or loop or Lutz), dance step sequence.
- FS8: Double loop, double flip, split Lutz , flying sit
or Axel sit spin, 1-1/4 flip/1-1/4 flip/double Salchow, illusion or
camel-jump-camel, circular dance step sequence
- FS9: Double Lutz, Axel-double loop, opposite direction
Axel or double Axel, rocker or counter jump-double toeloop-double
loop, flying camel or jump sit; arabesque/Bauer/spread eagle sequence
in a serpentine pattern covering the full ice surface.
- FS10:Double Axel-double toeloop, triple edge jump,
death drop, 4 alternating direction Axels or triple toe assisted jump,
double jump in both directions or triple toe assisted Jump-double
Loop, 3 Arabian cartwheels or butterfly jumps; Dance step sequence
designed by the skater covering the entire ice surface.
From January 2004, it is not required to have passed the basic
skills delta test in order to take the ice dancing tests.
For a detailed description of the character and pattern of the dances see the
the figureskating.about.com site.
- ID1: Alternating F. Chassés in Killian position
to 2/4 music; Alternating forward progressives in Killian position to
2/4 music.
- ID2: Alternating forward swing rolls in Killian
position to 3/4 music; Dutch Waltz.
- ID3: Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues.
- ID4: Swing Dance; Cha-Cha; Fiesta Tango.
- ID5: Willow Dance; Hickory Hoedown.
- ID6: Ten-Fox; Fourteen Step; Foxtrot.
- ID7: European Waltz; Rocker Foxtrot; Tango.
- ID8: American Waltz; Paso Doble; Quickstep.
- ID9: Blues; Killian; Starlight Waltz.
- ID10: Westminster Waltz, Argentine Tango, Viennese Waltz.
- International Dance test: Silver Samba, Rhumba,
Cha-cha Congelado, Midnight Blues, Austrian Waltz, Tango Romantica;
Yankee Polka; Ravensburger Waltz; Golden Waltz
The Adult freestyle tests are roughly equivalent to the
pre-preliminary to juvenile standard US Figure Skating freestyle tests
(see comparison table). After passing Adult
gold, it is possible to start testing on the regular track at the
intermediate level.
- Pre-bronze
- Two different half or one revolution jumps.
- A one-foot upright spin (min. 3 revolutions)
- A two-foot upright spin (min. 3 revolutions)
- Forward and backward crossovers.
- Lunge or spiral
- Bronze (1:40 minutes maximum length)
- Salchow, toe-loop and at least another different single
jump.
- Waltz jump-toe-loop combination
- One foot upright spin (min. 4 revolutions)
- One foot back spin (min. 3 revolutions)
- Sit spin (min. 3 revolutions)
- Connecting moves, steps and edges
- Silver (2:10 minutes maximum length)
- Loop, flip and at least another different single jump.
- two single jumps in combination (no turn or change of foot
between jumps)
- A jump sequence consisting of half and single revolution
jumps
- Camel spin (min. 3 revolutions)
- Layback, attitude or sit spin (min. 4 revolutions)
- Combination spin with one change of position (min 3 revolutions
in each position)
- Connective moves, spirals, edges with full utilization of the
ice surface.
- Gold (2:40 minutes)
- Axel
- Lutz
- Two additional single jumps
- Split jump, stag jump, falling leaf or half-loop.
- two single jumps in combination (no turn or change of foot
between jumps).
- Two different solo spins (min. 4 revolutions)
- Combination spin with one change of foot and at least one
change of position (min 4 revolutions on each foot)
- Straight or circular step sequence
- Connective moves, spirals, edges with full utilization of the
ice surface.
For a detailed description of the character and pattern of the dances see the
the figureskating.about.com site.
- Preliminary: Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues.
- Pre-Bronze: Swing Dance, Cha-cha, Fiesta Tango.
- Bronze: Hickory Hoedown, Willow Waltz, Ten-Fox.
- Pre-Silver: Fourteen Step, European Waltz, Foxtrot.
- Silver: American Waltz, Tango, Rocker Foxtrot.
- Pre-Gold: Killian, Blues, Paso Doble.
- Gold: Viennese Waltz, Westminster Waltz, Quickstep, Argentine
Tango.
The FFSG figure skating tests are split in a Free skating track
(médaille de libre), "moves in the field" track (
médaille de glisse) and a more recreational track (tests de
Club). The tracks are totally independent from each other, but
passing a series of basic skill tests is required for all of
them.
English
Français
PN1
Salchow, toe-loop.
Scratch spin (4 rev. min).
One of the 4 forward three turns.
Forward outside attitude.
Salchow, boucle piqué.
Pirouette debout en dedans (4 tours min.)
Un trois avant (tiré par le juge).
Arabesque dehors avant.
PN2
Salchow-toe-loop, loop.
Backspin (3 rev. min).
One out of the 4 forward mohawks.
Glide holding foot with hand.
Salchow-boucle piqué, boucle.
Pirouette debout en dehors (3 tours min).
Un mohawk avant.
Arabesque pied-main.
PN3
Waltz jump-loop, flip.
Sitspin(3 rev. min), change-foot scratch spin (4 rev. min. on each
foot).
One out of 4 back threes.
Pivot.
Saut de vals-boucle, flip.
Pirouette assise (3 tours), debout changée de pied (4
tour chaque pied).
Un trois arrière.
Canadienne
PN4
Lutz, loop-loop, flip-toe-loop.
Camel(3 rev. min), camel-sit (2 rev. min. before the position change).
One out of four double threes (forward-back).
Lutz, boucle-boucle, flip-boucle piqué.
Pirouette allongée (3 tours), allongée-assise (2
tour avant changement).
Un double trois (avant-arrière).
Gygne.
PN5
Axel, Lutz-toe-loop-loop.
Change-foot sitspin, camel-sit-sit.
One double three (back-forward).
Spiral (holding foot with hand).
Axel, Lutz-boucle piqué-boucle.
Pirouette assise changée de pied,
pirouette allongée-assise-assise.
Un double trois (arrière-avant).
Arabesque Royale.
PN6
Double salchow, Axel-loop.
Camel(5 rev. min), change-spin with a change on position on
each foot (4 rev. min. on each foot).
One forward bracket
Shoot-the-duck.
Double Salchow, Axel-boucle.
Pirouette allongée (5 tours), pirouette combinée avec un
changement de pied et un changement de position sur chaque
pied (4 tours min. sur chaque pied).
Un bracket avant.
Cafetière.
PN7
Double toe-loop, Double salchow in combination with single or
double.
Jump spin(5 rev. min), layback (women) or double change-sit
(men).
One backward bracket.
Ina Bauer.
Double boucle piqué, combinaison d'un saut simple ou
double avec un double Salchow.
Pirouette sautée (5 tours), cambrée (filles),
assise changée de pied-rechangée de pied
(garçons).
Un bracket arrière.
Ina Bauer.
PN8
Double loop, Double toe-loop in combination with single or
double, Axel-half-loop-double Salchow.
Change-foot spin with a change of position on each foot (5 rev. min. on
each foot), attitude spin(6 rev. min.)
One forward or backward counter.
Split half flip.
Double boucle, combinaison d'un saut simple ou double avec un
double boucle piqué, Axel-Thoren-double Salchow.
Pirouette avec un changement de pied et un changement de
position sur chaque pied(5 tours sur chaque pied), attitude (6
tours min.)
Un contre rocking avant ou arrière.
1/2 flip écarté.
PN9
Double flip, combination of two different double jumps.
Jump spin (6 rev. min.), jump spin with a change of foot.
One forward or backward rocker.
Walley.
Double flip, combinaison de deux sauts doubles
différents.
Pirouette sautée (5 tours min.), pirouette sautée
changée de pied.
Un rocker avant ou arrière.
Walley.
PN10
Double Lutz, combination of a double flip or a double loop with
a different double jump.
Change foot spin with a change of position on each foot (one
position must be an attitude), Biellman spin (women), cross-foot
spin (men).
One forward or backward choctaw.
Spread eagle or "Y" spiral.
Double Lutz, combinaison de deux doubles sauts avec un double
flip ou double boucle.
Pirouette combinée avec un changement de pied et au
moins un changement de position incluant une position attitude sur
chaque pied, pirouette royale (filles), croissé (garçons).
Un choctaw avant ou arrière.
Grand aigle ou Y avant.
(Thanks to Annabel Smyth for providing this information)
NISA standard freestyle tests are divided into 10 levels,
each having an elements part (consisting of moves and freestyle elements)
and a free program skated to music.
In addition to the standard track, there is a competition track with five levels ranging from
Pre-Novice to Senior. In order to access the competition track,
the skater must have passed both the elements and free portions of the
standard level 6. Apart from that requirement, the competition tests can be taken independently
of the standard track.
- Bronze test level 1:
- Elements - Perimeter stroking in both directions; waltz
jump or Salchow; toe-loop; upright spin (min. 3 revs);
forwards and backwards spirals (either edge).
- Free - 1.5 min. program including two different single jumps,
a spin, a spiral and a step sequence covering at least 10 meters.
- Bronze test level 2:
- Elements - Perimeter stroking with crossovers around
the ends of the rink; waltz jump; Salchow or toe-loop; scratch spin (5 revs);
sit spin (3 revs.); backspin from a FI3 (1 or 2 revs); straight line step
sequence covering at least 25 meters.
- Free - 1.5 mins program including two single jumps, a jump
combination, two different spins, a spiral and a step sequence covering at least
2/3 of the rink length.
- Bronze test level 3:
- Elements - Crossovers in a figure of eight: First circle CCW F. crossovers,
second circle CW B. crossovers, third circle CCW B crossovers and fourth circle
CW F. crossovers; loop jump; flip jump; a
combination of a single jump and a toe-loop; camel spin (3 revs.); backspin from a FI3
(3 revs.); a straight line step sequence using the full length of the rink including
forward and backward three turns.
- Free - 1.5 mins. program including a flip and another different single jump;
one jump combination; two different spins; a step sequence covering the full
rink length.
.
- Silver test level 4:
- Elements - Lutz; Axel; a combination of single jump and a loop;
a camel-sit spin combination (2 revs. min in each position); a change foot scratch spin
(4 revs. on each foot); a step sequence including two of the following:
forward spiral, back spiral, pivot, Ina Bauer, spread eagle or lunge;
circular step sequence including mohawks and three turns.
- Free - 2 mins. program including an Axel and a different single jump;
a jump combination; a spin combination with at least one change of position (2 revs.
in each position); a simple spin (4 revs.); a circular step sequence including mohawks
and three turns.
- Silver test level 5:
- Elements: Perimeter power crossover stroking; Axel; double Salchow;
a jump combination including a Lutz or a flip; flying camel spin (3 revs);
change foot sit spin (4 revs. on each foot); a spin combination with one
change of position and one change of foot (3 revs. on each foot).
- Free: 2 mins. program including an Axel; two other different jumps,
one of which must be a double; a jump combination including a Lutz or a flip;
a spin combination including a change of position (3 revs. in each position);
another different spin combination including a change of foot (3 revs. on each foot);
a spiral or moves sequence covering half of the ice surface.
- Silver test level 6:
- Elements: Double toe-loop; jump combination of an Axel
and a double toe-loop or double loop; a jump sequence including at least
two single jumps; change foot camel (3 revs. on each foot); layback or
sideways spins (5 revs.) or two-foot crossfoot spin (3 revs.);
a serpentine pattern containing three of the following: F. spiral, B. spiral,
pivot, Ina Bauer, spread eagle or lunge; a circular step sequence using the
full width of the rink.
- Free: 2.5 mins. program including an Axel; two different double jumps;
a jump sequence including a Lutz or a flip; a spin combination including a
change of position (3 revs. in each position); another different spin
combination including a change of foot (3 revs. on each foot);
a step sequence covering the full ice surface.
- Gold test level 7:
- Elements: Double Salchow; double toe-loop; a jump combination of a double and a single
jump; flying camel into back sit spin (4 revs. in each position);
spin combination with one change of position and one change on foot (5 revs
on each foot); jump sequence consisting of three jumps to include a double jump;
a straight line step sequence utilizing the full length of the rink.
- Free: 3 mins. program including an Axel; two different double jumps;
a jump conbination including a double jump; two different spins, including a
spin combination and a flying spin (4 rev. per position or foot);
a spiral or step sequence covering the full ice surface.
- Gold test level 8:
- Elements: Double loop; Axel done at speed; combination of any jump
and a double toe-loop; a jump sequence including at least
two double jumps; flying camel (6 revs.);
change foot sit spin or change foot camel (6 revs. on each foot);
a serpentine step sequence fully utilizing the surface of the rink.
- Free: 3 mins. program including an Axel at speed; three different double jumps;
a combination of two double jumps; three different spins, including a
spin combination and a flying spin (4 rev. per position or foot);
a step sequence covering the full ice surface.
- Gold test level 9:
- Elements: Double flip; combination of two double jumps (must not
include double loop); jump combination of a double jump and a double loop;
flying sit spin (5 revs.);
spin combination with one change of foot and two changes of position (6 revs.
on each foot); layback or
sideways spins (8 revs.) or two-foot crossfoot spin (6 revs.);
a sequence of spirals or moves fully utilizing the ice surface.
- Free: 3.5 mins. program including four different double jumps;
a combination of two double jumps; a flying spin (5 revs.);
two different spins, including a
spin combination (6 rev. per position or foot);
a step sequence covering the full ice surface; a spiral or moves sequence
covering the full ice surface.
- Gold test level 10:
- Elements: Double Lutz; combination of two double jumps (to include a double
flip or a double Lutz); jump sequence including two double jumps;
death drop or flying change sit spin (6 revs.);
spin combination with one change of foot and two changes of position (6 revs.
on each foot);
a sequence of spirals or moves fully utilizing the ice surface; a step sequence
fully utilizing the ice surface
- Free: 4 mins. program including five different double jumps;
a combination of two double jumps; a flying spin (5 revs.);
two different spins, including a
spin combination (6 rev. per position or foot);
a step sequence covering the full ice surface; a spiral or moves sequence
covering the full ice surface.
Approximate equivalence of test levels between USA, Canada, ISI,
France, Germany and Great Britain
| US Figure Skating Adult |
US Figure Skating |
ISI |
Skate Canada |
FFSG |
DEU |
NISA |
| Pre-bronze |
Pre-preliminary |
FS2 |
|
Préliminaire,PN1 |
|
Preliminary |
| Bronze |
Preliminary |
FS3 |
Preliminary |
PN2,PN3 |
Klasse 8 |
Preliminary |
| Silver |
Pre-juvenile |
FS4 |
Jr. Bronze |
PN3,PN4 |
Klasse 7 |
Inter-Bronze |
| Gold |
Juvenile |
FS5 |
Jr. Bronze |
PN5,Préparatoire |
Klasse 6 |
Bronze |
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