Pairs
The standard pairs tests are divided into six classes to be taken in the following order: preliminary, juvenile, intermediate, novice junior and senior/gold. The standard moves in the field test of the same level is the prerequisite to a standard pairs test. There are also three classes of adult pairs tests to be taken in the following order: bronze, silver and gold.
Preliminary Pairs Test (PPR)
The preliminary pairs test shall consist of elements skated with or without music. These elements may be skated individually or in a program. Pairs must demonstrate good form with some degree of unison, especially as it pertains to stroking and basic pairs skating and footwork.The following elements are required:
Jumps
One jump (single)
Spins
One pairs spin with no change of position or change of foot (minimum 3 revolutions in position)
One solo spin (minimum 3 revolutions in position)
Lifts
One lift selected from Group 1 or a waist loop lift from Group 2
Steps
Stroking both forward and backward, clockwise and counterclockwise
Footwork and connecting moves such as spirals, spread eagles, etc., utilizing at least one-half the ice surface
Duration: 1 1/2 minutes to music of the skaters' choice (optional - only if skaters wish to skate to music)
Juvenile Pairs Test (JVP)
The juvenile pairs test shall consist of a program with a variety of moves and connecting steps skated to the music. The pair must utilize the ice surface, with some degree of unison in good form while demonstrating the fundamentals of pairs skating. The following elements are required:
Jumps
Two single jumps (Axel may be included)
Spins
One pairs camel spin (minimum 3 revolutions in position)
One solo spin with one change of position (minimum 4 revolutions total)
Lifts
Two different lifts selected from Group 1 or a waist loop lift from Group 2
Steps
One serpentine, circular or straight-line step sequence
Duration: 2 1/2 minutes plus or minus 10 seconds to music of the skaters' choice
Intermediate Pairs Test (IPR)
The intermediate pairs test shall consist of a program skated rhythmically and in harmony with the music. The pair must show a moderate degree of pair unison, with good form and flow, while fully utilizing the ice surface. It is also expected that the pair will demonstrate some of the more advanced fundamentals of pairs skating including intermediate-based moves in the field in mirror and/or shadow skating. The following elements are required:
Jumps
One single or double jump, synchronized
One jump combination or sequence of jumps
Spins
One pairs sit spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position)
One solo spin with change of foot and/or change of position (minimum 5 revolutions total)
Lifts
Three different lifts – all lifts may be selected from Group 1, however one lift may be selected from Groups 2-4, and one may be a single twist lift.
Death Spiral or Pivot Spiral
One death-type spiral (hand hold and pivot are optional), or a pivot spiral in which the man attains a pivot position while the lady circles around him in spiral position
Steps
Stroking in unison;
Connecting moves and turns in the field such as spirals together, spread eagles and pivots, as well as simple dance steps and stroking illustrating both mirror and shadow skating
One serpentine, circular or straight-line step sequence
Duration: 3 minutes to music of the skaters' choice
Novice Pairs Test (NPR)
The novice pairs test shall consist of a program with connecting moves and footwork. The pair must demonstrate basic pairs unison and good form and flow. The program should utilize the full ice surface and be skated with expression in time to the music. The following elements are required:
Jumps
Axel plus one multi-revolution jump such as double toe loop or double Salchow synchronized
Spins
One pairs spin such as pairs sit, catch waist camel or one pairs combination spin (minimum 5 revolutions in position)
One solo spin combination with at least one change of position (change of foot optional) (minimum 5 revolutions in position)
Lifts
One, waist loop lift (Group 2)
Two additional different lifts selected from Groups 1-4
Death Spiral
One, with at least one-half revolution by the lady after pivot position attained by the man. Hand hold must be a regular one-hand hold.
Throw
One throw single jump
Steps
Serpentine, circular or straight-line step sequence
Duration: 3 1/2 minutes to music of the skaters' choice
Junior Pairs Test (JPR)
The junior pairs test shall consist of a program of good, harmonious composition skated to the music with rhythm and expression. The program should have a change of pace, utilize the full ice surface and be skated in good form with very good flow. The pair must demonstrate good partner relationship and show a good degree of pairs unison. The following elements are required:
Jumps
Axel plus one additional multi-revolution jump such as double Salchow, double toe loop or double loop, synchronized
One jump sequence (number of jumps to be included free)
Spins
One pairs combination spin with at least one change of position (minimum 6 revolutions total)
One solo spin, synchronized, with one change of foot (minimum 5 revolutions on each foot)
Lifts
One single or double twist lift
Two other lifts selected from Groups 1-6
Death Spiral
One (pivot position mandatory) with a minimum of one revolution after the pivot position is attained by the man
Throw
One throw Axel or throw double jump
Steps
One serpentine, circular or straight-line step sequence
One spiral sequence and/or free skating moves such as spread eagles, fully utilizing the ice surface
Duration: 4 minutes to music of the skaters' choice
Senior Pairs Test (GPR)
The senior/gold pair must give an excellent performance. Both partners should move together in complete harmony showing a marked degree of pairs unison, good form and excellent flow. The program should fully utilize the ice surface, have a change of pace and superbly express the mood and rhythm of music. Harmonious steps and connecting movements in time to the music should be maintained throughout the program. The following elements are required:
Jumps
Two double jumps, synchronized
One jump sequence (number of jumps to be included free)
Spins
One pairs spin such as pairs camel, pairs sit or catch waist camel (minimum 5 revolutions)
One pairs combination spin with at least one change of position (minimum 8 revolutions total)
One solo spin such as change sit spin, flying camel or camel with change of foot, synchronized (minimum 6 revolutions in position, or 5 revolutions each foot in case of change of foot spin)
Lifts
One double twist lift
Two additional lifts selected from Groups 1-6
Death Spirals
Two different death spirals with minimum of one revolution after the man attains the pivot position
Throw
One throw double jump
Steps
One serpentine, circular or straight-line step sequence
One sequence of spirals and/or free skating moves such as spread eagles, fully utilizing the ice surface
Duration: 4 1/2 minutes to music of the skaters' choice
Adult Bronze Pairs Test (ABP)
The adult bronze pairs test shall consist of a program with a variety of moves and connecting steps skated to music, in good form with some degree of pairs unison. The pair must utilize the ice surface while demonstrating the basic moves of pairs skating. The following elements are required:
Jumps
One jump (single)
One jump combination or sequence of jumps (half and single jumps)
Spins
One pairs spin with no changes of position or change of foot such as an upright pairs spin or a pairs camel spin (minimum 3 revolutions in position)
One solo spin (minimum 3 revolutions in position)
Lifts
One lift such as a waltz or half flip (no overhead)
Pivot Spiral
One pivot spiral in which the man attains the pivot position while the lady circles around him in a spiral position (hand hold and pivot positions are optional)
Steps
Stroking in unison, both forward and backward, clockwise and counterclockwise
Footwork and connecting moves such as spirals, spread eagles, etc., utilizing at least one-half the ice surface
Duration: 2 minutes to music of the skaters' choice
Adult Silver Pairs Test (ASP)
The adult silver pairs test shall consist of a program skated rhythmically and in harmony with the music. The pair should show a moderate degree of pairs unison with good form and flow, while fully utilizing the ice surface. The pair is expected to demonstrate the fundamentals of pairs skating including synchronized connecting movements, mirror and/or shadow skating. The following elements are required:
Jumps
One jump (single), synchronized
One jump combination or sequence synchronized (half and single jumps). No Axel or multi-rotation jumps.
Spins
One pairs spin with no change of position or change of foot (minimum 3 revolutions in position)
One solo spin with one change of position (minimum 4 revolutions total)
Lifts
Two different lifts such as a waist loop, Lutz or waltz (no overheads)
Death or Pivot Spiral
One death-type spiral (hand hold, pivot and ladies edge are optional), or pivot spiral in which the man attains a pivot position while the lady circles around him in spiral position
Steps
Stroking in unison illustrating mirror and/or shadow skating, footwork, connecting moves such as turns in the field, spirals, pivots and basic dance steps
One serpentine, circular or straight-line step sequence or spiral sequence
Duration: 2 1/2 minutes to music of the skaters' choice
Adult Gold Pairs Test (AGP)
The adult gold pairs test shall consist of a program with connecting moves and footwork to be skated rhythmically and in harmony to the music. The pair should demonstrate partner relationship, unison, good flow and form. The program should utilize the full ice surface and be skated with expression in time to the music. The following elements are required:
Jumps
One single or double jump, synchronized
One jump combination or sequence utilizing single or multi-rotation jumps, synchronized
Spins
One pairs spin such as pairs sit, pairs camel or pairs combination spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position)
One solo spin combination with change of foot and/or change of position (minimum 5 revolutions total), synchronized
Lifts
Three different lifts — all lifts may be selected from Group 1, however one lift may be selected from Groups 2-4, and one may be a single twist lift
Death Spiral
One death-type spiral with the pivot position attained by the man (lady's edge optional). Hand hold should be a regular one-hand hold.
Throw
One throw single jump
Steps
Connecting moves, moves in the field, footwork, stroking in good unison and mirror and/or shadow skating
One serpentine, circular or straight-line step sequence or spiral sequence
Duration: 3 minutes to music of the skaters' choice