USFS Test Refresh Information (10/2017)

[Isk8NYC]

Received this email regarding the upcoming implementation of new test judging tactics:

Test Refresh Project

In May 2017, the Governing Council approved changes to the test rules, collectively referred to as the Test Refresh Project. This project is divided into three parts, and the first two parts become effective Nov 1, 2017, so for those who may have missed the information about this provided through PS Magazine, SKATING magazine and the U.S. Figure Skating website throughout the spring and summer, here is a breakdown of the various aspects.

Part 1, effective Nov. 1, 2017, allows skaters to earn credit for a test by achieving a minimum score in a competition using the international judging system (IJS) for juvenile through senior pairs, free dance and free skate tests, and the adult gold free skate test. Skaters must have met the prerequisites for the test by the date of the competition and must have competed in a free skate event at the level they are wishing to pass (i.e. any skater who wishes to pass the juvenile free skate test at a competition must compete and earn the minimum score in a juvenile free skate event). Furthermore, the competition must have occurred after Oct. 31, 2017. Click here for minimum scores. (http://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=84108)  Additional details on what to do to receive this credit will be forthcoming in a separate email.

Part 2, effective Nov. 1, 2017, adjusts the test requirements for all standard free skate tests as well as the adult gold free skate test to better align with the well-balanced program requirements. For example, on the juvenile free skate test, instead of having to perform a layback, sideways leaning or attitude spin, a juvenile girl will be allowed to perform any one-position spin. The most significant changes made were to the pre-preliminary free skate test where skaters will now have to perform a second spin and a half-ice step sequence and will also have the option to perform the elements as a program (with or without music). If you have a skater testing after Oct. 31, please be sure you review the revised rules in the 2018 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook (Rules 4200 to 4270 and Rule 4570), and the new judges test forms, which will be available on Nov. 1.  (http://www.usfigureskating.org/Shell?id=59378)

Part 3, effective Sept. 2, 2018, adjusts the marks being used to communicate the results of tests. The basic summary of these changes is that instead of being judged on a 6.0 scale, all tests will be judged on a seven-point scale, similar to GOEs, with 0 representing the passing standard for each test, negative scores representing aspects performed below the passing standard, and positive scores representing aspects performed above the passing standard. This is similar to how tests are judged now. For example, where an intermediate move performed slightly above the standard would currently receive a mark of 3.3 (+ 0.1 above the passing average of 3.2), after the change it will receive a mark of +1. The testing standards are not changing – only how they are marked. U.S. Figure Skating hopes this will make the feedback easier to understand for skaters and coaches and bring more consistency to the marking of tests across the country. Additional information will be provided on this starting with the 2018 PSA International Conference in May.

Additional information can be found here. (http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/Test%20Refresh%20-%20FAQs%20-%20Club%20PowerPoint.pdf)  If you have questions after reviewing this information, you can direct them to jnewcomer at US Figure Skating .org - no spaces.

[fsk8r]

This looks to be very similar to the changes NISA introduced a few years ago. Now most of the kids pass their tests in competition and it's only the adults who are showing up to test programs at the test sessions. It's eased the waiting list for test immensely.
Here the test you pass at competition is to move up to the next competitive level. But as you can't compete without the moves test (we don't have pre-requisities on tests other than the previous test in that discipline) some kids will not claim their test pass the first time they reach the score while they're waiting to pass the next level moves test.

[ARoo]

We just tried out the new test rules on Saturday. My daughter was able to use some of her regular program material for her freeskate test. The new rules will save us a lot of time and money in the future. In addition to saving test fees, she'll be able to avoid working on separate test and competition programs. That saves coaching fees and frees up time to move on to other things in lessons. I'm pretty happy with the changes. Her next freeskate test will be juvenile and a score of 22 seems pretty reasonable for passing.

[FigureSpins]

That's great - I think it is a great idea.  I especially like applying well-balanced to the Pre-Preliminary FS level.  It creates a level playing field - "You can't compete at that that level unless you can perform at that level."  (Most often, this means transitions/footwork, clean jumps and spins that stay IN POSITION for at least 3 revolutions.  They hear the music and take off like a jet plane, ignoring all the things you worked on during lessons.)

[Isk8NYC]

Overview: http://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=91716

Updated video presentation of the changes, specifically the new judging sheets: https://youtu.be/5nLCu_YbzyM?t=0

US Figure Skating issued this Judges Handbook for Tests today in PDF format, which complements the video:
http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/Handbook%20for%20Tests.pdf

New Judging Forms (Eff. 9/2/2018)
http://www.usfsa.org/story?id=59378


BEST FEATURE: SKATER CHECK LIST FOR MOVES TESTS
http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/SKATER%20CHECKLIST%20-%20MITF.pdf

Forewarned is forearmed - be sure to check out the example videos in the "Test and Competition Results and Videos" forum on this site! (Members Only)

[FigureSpins]

Did anyone check out the new judging forms?  Opinions, please!

I like the reduced writing the judges have to do - most of what they wrote for my students are now check boxes on the forms, so that's good.

I love, love, love the Skater Checklist for Moves Tests.  It's a nice, one-page reference guide for skaters to keep in their skate bag/rink tote.  The patterns are brilliant.

[dlbritton]

I love, love, love the Skater Checklist for Moves Tests.  It's a nice, one-page reference guide for skaters to keep in their skate bag/rink tote.  The patterns are brilliant.

I already printed out the Bronze Moves sheet and have it in my skate bag.