Which assessments do I need before entering a category?

Each category requires a minimum Freeskate or Dance Assessment. Examples in the Competition Program Requirements: STAR 5 for Pre-Juvenile and Juvenile, STAR 6 for Pre-Novice, and Gold for Junior and Senior. Ice dance has partner-specific rules.

For 2026-27, the second partner in ice dance needs: any Star 6 for Pre-Novice, any Star 8 for Novice, and any Gold for Junior and Senior. These must be passed at least three weeks before the Sectional Championship (Competitions Rule 6), although non-qualifying competitions may allow skating up without them.

Pre-Juvenile and Juvenile are part of Skate Canada's Learn to Train stage and are not part of the Podium Pathway.

Source: Competition Program Requirements, Podium Pathway (last updated 30 June 2026); Notice Board, 2026-2027 Season Updates to the Podium Pathway program requirements.