Testing

There are currently eight levels in ice dance (nine if you include 'No Test', which we usually do because quite a few of our members don't test). Anyone can compete at the State Championships, but to compete at Nationals, you must be at Primary level or higher. There are international competitions for Junior and Senior, but age restrictions apply to Junior events.

At the moment ISA (Ice Skating Australia) is in the process of updating the testing system. August has been set as the official changeover. Between now and then, dancers have the choice of attempting the new or old tests. After the August testing session, all the new tests will be implemented. This applies to freeskating as well.

The details of the old levels and dances are in the table below:

There is no dance required for Prelim because the test consists of a figure pattern that is the same as the freeskating Prelim test. The pattern consists of forward crossovers, an inside mohawk (this has nothing to do with hair), back crossovers and threeturns. If you ask me, it's the scariest test I ever did because I had to get out on the ice all by myself!

The new system is quite different to this. E3 is eliminated completely and many of the dances moved out of the level they're in at the moment to another level. The Prelim pattern will also change and it's been rumoured that the new one (which is actually the resurrection of an old, old test!) is harder. Not that we're trying to scare you!! The following table details the proposed changes