Assessments and Tests

What are Assessments and Tests?

At Georgetown Skating Club, assessments and tests are how Skate Canada recognizes a skater’s progress through the STAR program. Skaters move through a series of levels and disciplines, and each successful assessment is recorded with Skate Canada to show their development over time.

Skaters do not sign themselves up for assessments. Their Private Coach will let you know when they are ready to be assessed or to try a formal test.

How Assessments work
  • Assessments follow Skate Canada’s STAR 1–Gold structure
  • STAR 1–5 assessments are completed by the skater’s coach during regular ice sessions
  • STAR 6–Gold tests are evaluated by a Skate Canada evaluator on scheduled High Test Days
  • All results are submitted to Skate Canada and become part of your skater’s official record

How You Will be Notified

  • For STAR 6–Gold, families will receive information about High Test Day schedules and fees in advance
  • Your skater’s coach will speak with you when they feel your skater is ready
  • You will be given an approximate timeline and any focus areas your skater is working on
HOW STARSKATERS PROGRESS

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

STAR 1–5 is designed to keep assessments within your skater’s regular training environment. Assessments are completed by your skater’s qualified Skate Canada coach on their normal sessions, which helps reduce nerves and extra costs while still following standardized criteria.

How it works

  • Assessments are done during regular STARSkate or PreSTAR sessions
  • Your coach will schedule the assessment and let you know the date in advance
  • Skaters may be assessed in Skills, Freeskate, Dance and Artistic, depending on their level and training plan

Fees for STAR 1–5

  • Skate Canada assessment fee: $12.00 per assessment
  • Club administrative fee: $3.00 per assessment

Once your coach submits the tests to the Assessment Chair, they will be entered with Skate Canada and forwarded to GSC administration. You will then receive your test invoice by email.

After the assessment

  • Your coach will review how it went and what was achieved
  • If your skater needs more time on a particular skill, the coach will build that into future lesson plans
  • Successful assessments are recorded with Skate Canada and count toward future STAR levels and event eligibility

From STAR 6 and up, tests are usually completed on dedicated “High Test Days” and evaluated by a Skate Canada evaluator. These tests are more formal than STAR 1–5 assessments and are an exciting milestone for many skaters. 

What to expect

  • Tests are scheduled in advance and posted to families
  • Skaters are evaluated by a Skate Canada evaluator in Skills, Freeskate, Dance and Artistic, depending on what they are testing
  • The test session has a more formal atmosphere and specific etiquette to follow, similar to a mini competition

Spectators are welcome, but everyone is expected to respect the evaluator’s need to concentrate and the skater’s focus on their performance.

High Test Day fees

These are the typical fees associated with STAR 6–Gold tests at GSC:

  • $12.00 Skate Canada test fee, submitted so the result can be officially recorded
  • $15.00 hospitality fee, which helps cover ice costs, refreshments, and expenses related to hosting the evaluator
  • Coach fee, for your skater’s lesson and support at the test
  • Dance partner fee, if a dance partner is required for the test

Skate Canada evaluators volunteer their time. The hospitality fee allows the club to host them properly while keeping test costs as reasonable as possible for families.

Results and re-tries

  • After the test, the evaluator completes a written assessment for your skater
  • Skaters receive a grade of Pass or Retry
  • If a skater is not successful, they can retry the test at a future High Test Day
  • Once a test is scheduled, not showing up is recorded as a retry, so please keep the club informed if there are any issues with attendance

Skaters testing at STAR 6 and above are expected to arrive at least one hour before their scheduled time, in costume and ready to skate.

What to wear

Most skaters treat test day the same way they would treat a competition or performance.

  • A competition dress or dance dress is common, but a neat skating skirt and nice top are perfectly acceptable
  • Hair should be pulled back neatly in a ponytail or bun so the evaluator can see facial expressions
  • Skates should be clean and laces tucked in
  • For higher level dances (STAR 6 and up), dance dresses are recommended but not required

What to Bring

  • Skates and guards
  • Extra tights or gloves
  • Water bottle
  • Warm layer for between warm-up and test if the arena is cold

On ASsessment or test day

before
  • Arrive early so your skater has time to lace up, warm up and settle their nerves
  • Check in with your coach or the volunteer at the registration table
  • Encourage your skater, keep the mood light, and remind them that this is simply a chance to show what they have been working on
During
  • Please stay off the boards and avoid waving or calling out to your skater
  • Keep voices low in the stands so the evaluator can focus
  • Trust your skater’s preparation and your coach’s plan
after
  • Give your skater a hug first, regardless of the result
  • Your coach will review the assessment sheet with you and your skater
  • Celebrate the progress, and if there is a retry, treat it as feedback for the next goal, not a failure

Questions

If you have any questions about upcoming assessments or tests, the best place to start is with your skater’s coach. You can also reach out to the club through our Contact Us page and we will be happy to help.