Tests and Levels

The areas are Skating Skills, Singles, Pattern Dance, Free Dance and Pairs.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

On 1 July 2023 Moves in the Field became Skating Skills, and Free Skate became Singles.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

The new names follow a bronze, silver and gold path, but the testing criteria did not change.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

Skating Skills tests cover edges, spirals, steps and set patterns of turns.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

Skaters must pass the Skating Skills test before the correlating level test in another area.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

Pattern Dance tests are three to four set dances per level, with no partner required.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

Pairs and Free Dance run from Bronze to Gold; Skating Skills and Singles start at Pre-preliminary.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

The ladder runs Pre-preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-bronze, Bronze, Pre-silver, Silver, Pre-gold, Gold.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · applied

Skating Skills comes first at each level and opens the matching test in the other areas.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · applied

B passed Skating Skills before Singles. A took Singles first, C has no Skating Skills test, D shows Singles before it again.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · applied

Skaters take about six years on average to pass Gold Skating Skills, and about eight for Gold Singles.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

Pattern Dance runs from Preliminary to Gold and adds an International level.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

Skaters who don't pass are encouraged to retest.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · recall

Adults can choose the adult testing structure or the standard track; either leads to adult competitions.

Source: U.S. Figure Skating, Adult Testing · recall

U.S. Figure Skating notes that adult dance tests do not fulfil the solo dance eligibility requirements.

Source: U.S. Figure Skating, Adult Testing · recall

The U.S. Adult Championships are held every April.

Source: U.S. Figure Skating, Adult Testing · recall

The annual adult international competition takes place in Oberstdorf, Germany.

Source: U.S. Figure Skating, Adult Testing · recall

Its ladder climbs past Bronze to Gold and keeps one extra rung above it.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · applied

Skating Skills opens at the very first rung, Pattern Dance one rung up, Free Dance only at Bronze.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · applied

C runs from the second rung to the extra International rung. A is all eight, B Bronze to Gold, D stops early.

Source: Riedell, Figure Skating Levels: U.S. Figure Skating Testing Structure · applied