# Judging the Program · Figure Skating Level 7: Upper-Advanced

Figure Skating · Level 7: Upper-Advanced · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/figure-skating/level-7/judging-the-program/)

Judging the Program in Figure Skating (Level 7: Upper-Advanced) on Insporta: 20 sourced facts behind 2 tests. Covers: marking the components.

Marking the components, serious errors, and what skating well means.

## Test 1: Marking the components

- With one serious error 10 cannot be given; the maximum for each component is 9.50. (Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27)
- With two or more serious errors no marks in the 9s are possible: the maximum is 8.75. (Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27)
- Composition first, Presentation next, Skating Skills last, to keep focus off difficult elements. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- The order removes the unintentional focus on the execution of difficult elements. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Judge only what you see and not what you expect to see, and recognise each criterion during the program. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- The top category is 10, outstanding, with no errors; 9.75 is excellent with no serious errors. (Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27)
- Each numeric range is defined by an adjective, expressing how far each criterion is demonstrated. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- How it was built, how it was performed on the day, then the quality of the skating. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Two or more serious errors cap at 8.75, one at 9.50, and only a program with no errors may reach 10. (Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27)
- C, 10.00, is above the 9.50 cap for one serious error. 9.50, 9.25 and 8.75 are all possible. (Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27)

## Test 2: Skating well

- Skating well starts from the blade-ice relationship: gliding on precise edges in balance, without friction. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Gliding on long, deep edges is more difficult than on short, flat edges. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Flow is the whole body moving smoothly and effortlessly, starting from a fluid knee-ankle action. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Power and speed is the ability to display energy and gain speed stepping from one foot to the other. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Edges must be precise from the moment the blade touches the ice; clarity is quality and precision. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Variety is diversity of edges, steps, turns, body movements and directions: forwards, backwards, both ways round. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Speed is maintained through balance, control and the lack of friction of the blade on the ice. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Variety, clarity, balance and glide, flow, then power and speed. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Flow starts from the knee and ankle, carries through the body and links one movement to the next. (Source: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023))
- Two falls rule out every mark in the 9s, so 9.00 cannot be given; the other three cards stay at 8.75 or less. (Source: ISU Communication 2788, Levels of Difficulty and GOE Guidelines, Single & Pair Skating 2026/27)

Sources: Skate Ontario, Three Program Components: Key Reminders and Guidance for Judges (2023); ISU Communication 2788 (2026/27); ISU Handbook for Referees & Judges 2026/27; ISU Sports Rules, Figure Skating (2026), Rules 365 and 450; Stars on Ice and Art on Ice histories. Original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Music, clothing and eligibility rules belong to General Rules.

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