Supplemental MITF Tests

[PinkLaces]

I am the test chair at our club.  Next week we have a test session.  There will be a senior moves test and a senior supplimental moves test (all the new moves) plus some Juvenile, Pre-Juvs, and a whole bunch of pre-pres.

[techskater]

We had a PP-INT supplemental and a N-S supplemental go out.  PP-INT passed, N-S got a retry with comments like "loops should be real loops"

[Doubletoe]

Can anyone explain what the supplemental tests are, and why someone would take one?

[FigureSpins]

There are two supplemental tests in the 2010-2011 Rulebook:

TR 25.13 Intermediate Supplemental Moves in the Field
May be taken after passing the intermediate moves and/or the adult gold moves in the field tests
1. Forward and backward crossovers (see preliminary pattern 1)
2. Forward circle 8 (see preliminary pattern 5)
3. Forward and backward perimeter power stroking (see pre-juvenile pattern
1)
4. Backward circle 8 (see pre-juvenile pattern 5)
5. Eight-step mohawk sequence (see juvenile pattern 3)
6. Spiral sequence (see intermediate pattern 2)
7. Forward twizzles (see intermediate pattern 4)

One element may be retried, if necessary.
Passing Total Passing Average
Standard 22.4 3.2 / Adult 21.0 3.0 / Masters 19.6 2.8  (Approximate time for test: 15 minutes)
Judging panel required: Three silver or higher rank singles/pairs or dance judges who are certified to judge moves in the field tests
JUDGING FORM: https://www.usfsa.org/Content/JP_MF-Intermediate-Supplemental.pdf

TR 25.14 Senior Supplemental Moves in the Field
May be taken after passing the senior moves in the field test
1. Inside three-turns/rocker-choctaws (see novice pattern 1)
2. Forward loops (see novice pattern 4)
3. Backward twizzles (see novice pattern 6)
4. Backward loop pattern (see junior pattern 5)
5. Straight line step sequence (see junior pattern 6)
6. Spiral sequence (see senior pattern 2)
7. Serpentine step sequence (see senior pattern 5)

One element may be retried, if necessary.
Passing Total Passing Average
Standard 31.5 4.5 / Adult 30.1 4.3 / Masters 28.7 4.1  (Approximate time for test: 15 minutes)
Judging panel required: Three gold singles/pairs or dance judges who are certified to judge moves in the field tests
JUDGING FORM: http://www.usfsa.org/Content/JP_MF-Senior-Supplemental.pdf

The Supplemental tests incorporate the new/revised patterns from the tests at or below the current test level.  I believe they're optional, meaning if a skater has passed Intermediate prior to 9/2010, they can take the Novice test without passing the supplemental test. 

On the USFSA's part, these are an effort to bring every skater up to the same levels since it was felt that these patterns improved the skater's skills in ways that the older tests did not, although the revised patterns were mainly done to save time during testing.

Some skater-coaches I've spoken with have said that these tests would help prepare themselves as coaches to teach their students the patterns.  Experience is the best teacher, so to speak.  Others have said it's a challenge that they'd enjoy preparing for, already having completed all of the standard-track Moves tests.

The tests also provide a bit of validation for skaters who advanced before the 2010 patterns were effected: there was a lot of chatter about "getting the tests in before the changes" because the skaters couldn't pass the new patterns.  Frankly, I think of that rush as more "We've been studying/practicing these patterns for a year, so we should just finish and start the next level with the 2010 patterns."  Going back to nail these supplemental tests removes any stigma by demonstrating that the skater can/has completed the same requirements as later test-passers.

I think a deciding factor would be expense: if a skater has already tested to Junior, their lesson/test fees would be better spent focusing on passing Senior instead of going back to do remedial work.

[PinkLaces]

The skater taking the Senior Supplimental moves has passed through her Senior Free Skate.  She just started coaching (will be putting some pre-pre's out on the same test session).  She wanted to learn the new moves so she could coach them more effectively.

[Doubletoe]

FigureSpins, thanks for that very thorough and informative post!  I just passed the Intermediate MIF a month before the test change, and I can vouch for those of us who wanted to pass the "old" version of the test just because we'd been working so !#&* long to get those moves to passing standard, LOL!

[PinkLaces]

Well, we had the test session yesterday.  The skater passed her supplimental senior moves - 2 to 1.  One judge gave her a retry.  That judge later remarked that she was glad the skater passed as she was unsure as to how hard to judge the loop patterns.  This was the first time that any of the judges had judged this test.