STARSkate Test Program

• STARSkate Test Categories
• Test Days at the London Skating Club
• Test Fees
• How is it decided that it is time to try a test?

STARSkate Test Categories

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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:

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.

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Test Days at the London Skating Club

The London Skating Club schedules tests on an on-going basis for all disciplines at every level, provided a qualified Skate Canada Evaluator or Judge is available for the test levels:  four times in fall/winter, once in spring, and twice in summer. 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 London Skating Club strives to be welcoming of all skaters who would like to test on one of the London 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 (effective October 1, 2015):

* Skate Canada Test Fees are set by, and paid to Skate Canada.  The test fee of $50 per test has been in place for over 10 years and the Skate Canada Board of Directors has recently approved a fee increase to be implemented on October 1, 2021. This increase has been set to reflect the increased cost of doing business.  As of October 1, 2021 the cost per test will be increased to $15. This fee increase is for all tests tried in Skate Canada Clubs and Skating Schools.

** Test Day Administrative Fee: is an additional charge from the London 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-London Club Administration Fee must be paid by any skater who is NOT skating on at least one London Skating Club session in the current skating season (Fall/Winter, Spring, or Summer). 

Test fees can be purchased through Uplifter. Under Products on the website.

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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.