Arts, Music, and Recreation Sports How to Prepare for the Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field Figure Skating Test Share Flipboard Email Print A Young Figure Skater. Westend61 / Westend61 Collection / Getty Images Sports Skating Basics History Gear & Equipment Lessons & Tutorials Famous Skaters Inline Skating Baseball Basketball Bicycling Billiards Bodybuilding Bowling Boxing Car Racing Cheerleading Climbing Cricket Diving Extreme Sports Football Golf Gymnastics Ice Hockey Martial Arts Professional Wrestling Skateboarding Skiing Snowboarding Soccer Surfing Swimming Table Tennis Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Other Sports & Activities View More by Jo Ann Schneider Farris Updated March 31, 2017 The first "advanced" figure skating test, beyond US Figure Skating's Basic Skills tests, that ice skaters will take is the Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test. The test is required before a skater can take free skating tests or pair skating tests. Ice dancers and synchronized figure skaters are required to pass certain moves in the field tests before being eligible to compete.Memorize the Order of the Test ElementsForward perimeter stroking in the counter-clockwise and clockwise directions Forward consecutive outside edgesForward consecutive inside edgesBackward consecutive outside edgesBackward consecutive inside edgesForward spirals on both the right and left legs in a straight line down the length of the rinkWaltz Eight Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field Test Descriptions - From US Figure SkatingPre-Preliminary Moves in the Field Test DiagramsWatch Other Figure Skaters Take the TestThe Pre-Preliminary moves test is a formal skating test that is usually administered at official figure skating club test sessions. The testing skater may be the only one on the ice surface and is judged by highly qualified judges appointed by U.S. Figure Skating. The quality expected to pass all Moves in the Field figure skating tests is high. Take the time to watch other figure skaters testing at U.S. Figure Skating test sessions so you can fully understand what it takes to prepare for the test. Plan on Spending Sufficient Time Preparing for the TestEvery figure skater will master the required pre-pre moves test skills differently. It may take anywhere from six months to a year to pass the Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test.Find a Qualified Figure Skating CoachIn order to pass the Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field Test, private figure skating lessons are required. PracticeTake the time to practice the elements in the Pre-Pre moves in the field test every time you go to the rink to practice. At least one-third of a skater's practice session time should be devoted to "moves."Join a U.S. Figure Skating Member Club or/and Join U.S. Figure SkatingU.S. Figure Skating requires full membership to take Moves in the Field tests. US Figure Skating membership is included in a figure skating club's membership.Decide What to Wear in AdvanceConsult with your coach way before testing day regarding your testing attire, hair, and makeup. Continue Reading