STARSkate Test Program

 

STARSkate Test Categories

 

Skaters in the StarSkate program have the opportunity to take Skate Canada Tests through a nationally standardized testing system. There are four categories/disciplines of tests:

Skating skills Preliminary Junior Bronze Senior Bronze Junior Silver Senior Silver Gold

Free Skate Preliminary Junior Bronze Senior Bronze Junior Silver Senior Silver Gold (Program & Elements)

Dance Preliminary Junior Bronze Senior Bronze Junior Silver Senior Silver Gold Diamond

Interpretive Introductory Bronze Silver Gold

Under this test system, tests are evaluated by one person (an Evaluator) who assesses a skater’s proficiency against a standard using a word scale (excellent, good, satisfactory, or needs improvement) identifying skills performed well and those requiring further development. Such standards are listed in the Manual for Evaluators, a copy of which is owned by every evaluator and coach.

This system allows for a close rapport between the evaluator and the skater and is, therefore, more conducive to a fairly relaxed atmosphere during the skating of a test. It also allows improved communication between evaluator, skater and coach, allowing them to work together as a team.

A skater may progress through a series of tests in multiple disciplines: Skating Skills, Free Skate, Dance, and Interpretive.

Free Skate tests are offered in two parts: the “elements” and the “program”, which is choreographed and skated to music. These can be tried separately or on the same test day. A skater can progress through the elements portion, or the program portion independently of the other portion. However, in order to get credit for the Free Skate test they have to pass both components.

Dance tests: There are three individual dances to be completed at the Preliminary, Junior Bronze and Senior Bronze Level.  Once skaters advance to the Junior Silver, Senior Silver, Gold or Diamond dance level it is 4/5 tests that need to be completed at each level.

 

---

 

Test Days at the Glencoe Skating Club

Once a skater passes a test, they then move to the next level in that discipline. If the test is not successful the skater can retry that test. Retrying the test the same day is up to the discretion of the Judge or Evaluator, and if time permits in the schedule of the test day. Skaters usually wait until the next scheduled test day before retrying a test, as waiting gives the skater more time to improve on the comments given by the Judge or Evaluator, and it better prepares the skater for the next level.

While the Glencoe Skating Club strives to be welcoming of all skaters who would like to test on one of the Glencoe Skating Club test dates, priority will be given to skaters that are registered on one or more sessions in the current season.

Test Fees

The Skate Canada Test Fee schedule is as follows:

Skate Canada Test Fee * Free Skating Dance Interpretive Skating Skills	$ 12.00 per part (2 parts) $ 12.00 per individual dance $ 12.00 per test $ 12.00 per test
Test Day Administrative Fee **	$ 8.00 per skater
Non-Glencoe Club Administration Fee ***	$ 15.00 per skater

* Skate Canada Test Fees are set by, and paid to Skate Canada. 

** Test Day Administrative Fee: is an additional charge from the Glencoe Skating Club. This fee covers items such as evaluator's mileage, food, ice costs and audio technician, and is paid once for each skater, for each test day.

*** Non-Glencoe Club Administration Fee must be paid by any skater who is NOT skating on at least one Glencoe Skating Club session in the current skating season. 

Test Day Envelopes

 

Test day envelopes must have all the information below completed before skater can test. If ALL required is not on the envelope, it will be returned to the parent and/or coach to be completed and returned to the Test Chair.

1. Test day date
2. The skater’s name
3. The skater’s Skate Canada Number 
4. Home Club and Club Number: The Club Number for Glencoe Skating Club is 3002588261
5. The test they are trying, and the title of program (usually for interpretative programs)
6. Name of partner, if required (may or may not be your coach for dance tests)
7. Test fees: indicate how many tests that skater will try beside the cost of each test category, total fee per category, add the $5 admin fee (each skater) and non-club fee (if applicable), and total amount owing. Inside the envelope, provide cash (exact fee only) or cheque (payable to Glencoe Skating Club, and dated prior to or on test day).
8. Coach signature (preferably legible)

All coaches will submit tentative lists to the test chair three weeks prior to test day. Skaters must complete test envelopes, and submit to the GSC test chair no later than two weeks before the scheduled test day. Late envelopes will NOT be accepted. Note that some coaches prefer to review their skaters’ completed envelopes before submission, so check with your coach before handing your envelope in to the office.

---

How is it decided that it is time to try a test?

The decision to try a test lies with the skaters private coach.  In general, a test is not attempted until the skater consistently exceeds, in regular practice, the listed standards for a particular level of test. The reason for this is that, on test days, most skaters are somewhat nervous. Therefore, it is quite likely that their quality of skating at test day will fall a little short of their normal level of performance during practice. If they attempt a test before their ability for skating this particular test has been fully developed, it is more than likely that they will not succeed and therefore be discouraged.

As a rule, it takes many months of diligent practice before a skater is ready to try a test. It is a very poor idea to try a test “just for experience”. The practice of skaters trying tests before they have had a chance to succeed takes up expensive ice time and ties up evaluators' valuable time. It also undermines the self-confidence of the skater.