Each group of skaters will be given a warm-up of approximately 5 minutes immediately prior to that group’s test. The skater should work ahead of time with their coach to come up with a warm-up routine that fits this time limit – and practice it.

Once the group warm-up is over, the first skater in the group will get on the ice. For most tests, the skater will be the only one on the ice. However, for the first test in both Skating Skills and Singles (Standard Pre-preliminary Skating Skills and Singles, and Adult Pre-Bronze Skating Skills and Singles), it is not unusual to have as many as three skaters on the ice at the same time. An ice monitor will let skaters know when they should get on the ice, and, in the case of multiple skaters on the ice at once, where to go (this information should also be shown in the schedule).

For all levels of Skating Skills tests and the first level of Singles tests (Standard Pre-preliminary Singles and Adult Pre-Bronze Singles), the skater should go to the judges when they first get on the ice. This gives the judge-in-charge an opportunity to provide the skater with any instructions they feel are necessary. The judges are typically seated in a hockey box or similar area and will usually have clipboards with the test papers on them.

For all other tests, the skater should go to their starting position and take their starting pose. This will indicate to the person running the music that the skater is ready to begin.

Although the coach is usually at rink-side, skaters are not permitted to talk to their coaches during a test, with the exception of skating skills tests and higher level partnered pattern dance tests in which the skater must skate the pattern by themselves after completing it partnered.  In these cases, skaters may only consult briefly with their coaches in between elements for skating skills tests and in between the partnered and solo portions for pattern dance tests. In addition, skaters should check with the judges (visually) before beginning each element of the Skating Skills test just to make sure the judges are ready.

When the skater has completed their test, they should approach the judges but not too closely, in case they are discussing the test. The judges will then either dismiss the skater or ask the skater to re-skate an element. If a re-skate is requested, the judges will let the skater know what was wrong with the element and will give the skater a chance to warm it up briefly. The skater must let the judges know if they want a brief warm-up.

The following re-skates are permitted for each discipline: