MITF adult tests

[MadMac]

Hello, fellow skating enthusiasts!

I'm an adult skater who returned to the sport after 16 years away; I celebrated a year back on the ice last month and am still gobsmacked that I love it so much more in my 30s than I did back when my knees and body were better suited for this pursuit.

I never really brought a lot of passion to the sport as a kid. I never thought about testing or competing or doing anything more than the bare minimum. Now, however, I'm champing at the bit to start taking some tests. My primary coach has gently suggested that I wait 'til spring to take my MITF Pre-Bronze. And as impatient as I am, she's never led me wrong: I know I need to perfect a few of my sloppier deficiencies before barreling ahead.

While I am getting a lot of really effective, helpful advice and guidance from the two instructors I work with, I don't have a lot of test-takers' feedback, which brings me back to where this long-winded post is going.

My question is this: What the heck is it like to go through the USFSA MITF tests as an adult?

I've watched a ton of videos of other adults' Pre-Bronze MITF tests. But I know nothing about judges' differentiation in assessing young competitive skaters versus adult skaters who are doing this because it's a lot more satisfying than going to the gym. Or skaters' feelings before, during, and after a test. Or if there's a better way to prepare than just running through and fine-tuning the test elements. Or what the most unexpected part of the testing process was for someone. Or just any helpful tips and tricks and wish-I'd-knowns from those who've been there before.

Any any ANY advice and stories are much appreciated. Thank you so much in advance!

 

[gkelly]

I've watched a ton of videos of other adults' Pre-Bronze MITF tests. But I know nothing about judges' differentiation in assessing young competitive skaters versus adult skaters who are doing this because it's a lot more satisfying than going to the gym.

What I can say about the Pre-Bronze MITF test vs. standard Pre-Preliminary MITF is that they are both encouragement tests. The judges don't expect high quality on either of these tests, although of course they're happy if they do see it. The only real difference between these two tests as they're currently configured is that Pre-Bronze also includes forward and backward crossovers and some of the moves are to be performed in a different order.

If you can get through all the moves on that test without stumbling or putting your foot down or running out of speed, within 8-10 minutes, then you should be ready to take the test.

If you sometimes make mistakes, then you might want to get a little more confident and feel that the moves are comfortable for you rather than a challenge, because you might get nervous and tense up in front of judges, which would make mistakes more likely.

In my experience, especially with the tests that have numerical scores, it was helpful to have some moves I felt I could do above passing standard so judges would have room to mark me up on those if I was a little below par on my most troublesome moves.

You might want to volunteer at a test session before you sign up to test yourself. That will give you a sense of what to expect in terms of the flow of the day and also the quality of skating that passes tests, and maybe some that doesn't. If you get an opportunity to interact with judges you will see that they are just people who love skating and not meanies out to get you -- they want skaters to skate well enough that they can pass.

 

[MadMac]

This is exactly what I was hoping for--thank you SO MUCH, @gkelly. I so appreciate your wonderfully thorough insights and suggestions!

 

[artika]

If you read the test book description, on each move there is a primary focus (power, edge quality, extension...) where the standard test (kids) asks for power, the adult test asks for continuous flow... basically the judges are a little more lenient with adults...
When I was preparing for the first moves test I found it difficult to "present" to the judges at the end of each move, I used to drop my hands... my coach said to count to 3 after I stop and then let my hand down slowly. I also found it difficult to find the right pace, I was sometimes rushing and not breathing and getting tired, and sometimes I was too slow. For both of these it's good to run through the whole test... Also don't forget you'll have only 5 min for warm up, so when you'll get closer to testing, do the run through including the 5 min of warm up, first thing you get on the ice. I also tried to imagine I'm at the actual test and that I'm nervous, few times I actually got nervous and did the run through like that and I felt I got it out of my system.

On the negative side, I feel that at points, I got hung out in running through the whole test instead on working on the moves that needed more work.

I would also mention that I do 75-85% at the test compared to what I do in practice, and also I do get nervous at each test, but If I'm very well prepared I'm less nervous, so my advice is to be a little more prepared than what's required..

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[eonice]

I've posted about my MITF test thoughts and experiences on another site and will bring that over here (apologies to multi-site members for the repetitiveness)...

Preprelim: https://youtu.be/g-b3dJUURFc
Prelim: https://youtu.be/wfojWQ5MGK0

Judge's notes are in the video descriptions.

Important lessons learned so far:
1. judges are not mean
2. practice the dreaded elements until they become your favorite
3. never take more than one test at a time--it adds unnecessary stress

I passed pre-juv moves with scores 16.5, 16.8, 16.8. Sorry, no video this time since I had nobody to come along.

I have a confession to make: I have no idea why I passed. A week before the test, my coach pointed out that a bunch of my technique is garbage and will not pass, so I pretty much learned (and re-learned) the "correct" way just days before testing (stayed out until 10pm practicing the night before). On test day, my elements were crap. Inside edges on the forward power stroking seemed barely aligned, every back 3-turn wobbled and had to be wrestled under control, 5-step mohawk felt stiff as a brick, and there was no power in the power pulls. Admittedly, the judges commented on that lack of power, but everything else was scored well and received good comments.

By the end, I felt numb and just wanted to get the hell out of there. But when I was handed the score sheets, I was commended and told I should trust the results because they're from high level judges. While I'm relieved to have passed, on some level I can't help but feel maybe I didn't really deserve it. In fact, sometimes I wonder if I get passed on these tests for being the only adult there. Maybe it's just my inner demons coming out, and of course I plan on continuing to move up and work as hard as I can, it's just that much harder because I'm placing blind faith into a system I don't really understand.

Thus far I've been the only adult at these standard track tests, and if it wasn't for the familiar faces of coaches from rinks where I train, it would have been a 100% isolating experience. Not sure how much that matters to you, but maybe consider having someone to come cheer you on.

Also, during this time of year, it's hard to find opportunities to practice moves that truly require the entire surface (think power circles from Juvenile, or spiral sequence from Intermediate). My best advice for preparing those is to wait until summer and find an abandoned public session in the middle of the day.

 

[MadMac]

@artika, thank you so much! I never even thought to compare the adults' expectations to the standard tests (even though I have the Pre-Bronze diagrams up on my work computer screen right now...). I feel ya on the nervousness, so that is great to keep in mind.

You folks are wonderful for sharing so thoughtfully. This helps so much--thanks again, and double thanks for the good vibes.

 

[MadMac]

Oh wow, thanks @eonice! I'm gonna dive into your links in a jiffy.

Practical advice is always super welcome! This is all so wonderful and helpful, and I so appreciate y'all taking the time to offer such great responses.

 

[vesperholly]

It's also good to remember that many if not most judges were also figure skaters. So they understand completely how nervous people are for testing, and they want to see you do well. They are on your side!

It might help you to do a judge's critique. That's where a USFS judge comes in, watches you skate, and gives you and your coach some pointers about what will or will not pass. It also makes judges not seem so scary.

Finally, definitely don't rush through MITF tests. They are the foundation of skating and the better you get at them, the more it will help in all your skating - jumps, spins, etc.

 

[LilJen]

Great advice already. I always prepped myself to be beyond passing, because nerves always make me a little more wobbly. I used to have a vid of my Silver moves, but it disappeared and I'm sad because I was damn proud of that test. I forgot to get someone to video my Gold moves I'm not able to skate this spring, so Intermediate moves are way down the road, if ever.

 

[purple skates]

People have given you good tips. I think the key is remembering that the judges want people to succeed (not enough to pass a failing test ) and do it for the love of skating.

Glad you are enjoying your return! I was 22 years off the ice when I came back to the sport at age 38. I’m now 53 and still doing it!