Isabel says:

I feel that it is important to feel comfortable with what I have learnt from the past lessons after practicing real hard on the real dance floor before proceeding to the next level. It is really tough to keep on proceeding to the next level for the sake of going without assessing whether * can I keep up with it?*. Even it means that I have to take many months to practice the basic moves that I have learnt from level 1 and 2. At least I feel more confident and comfortable now to move up to level 3. Personally, I feel that one should not just proceed to the next level of class without assessing oneself whether he/she is ready for it.

Eddie says:

Here's my 2 cents' worth. Unless we struggle a lot during our previous class or lack dedicated practice of late, we should always proceed to the next level of class ASAP or when our schedule permits. It will be useful to keep progressing with the more advanced classes whilst attending refresher class for further improvement to our existing moves. Before we progress to the next class, we can also check back with our instructors, seniors and classmates.

Farida says:

How do you know? It's like trying to find out if someone is 'the one'. You just know.

*Deep meaningful silence*

I'm only half kidding. I think you need to master the things you've learnt in the previous level before you proceed or else you will be doing -yourself- (and also your other classmates, to some extent) a disservice.

Subsequent levels obviously build on the steps learned previously so I think once you've gone to the club to practice those moves and find them inherently part of your being, like it's natural, you're ready to move on and challenge yourself in the next level.

While it's good to have the mentality "I think I can do it so I should just go for it" and confidence, I believe we should be wary of wishful thinking. Sure you think you can do it, but I also think I can get Justin Timberlake to marry me if he meets me but I don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon...

In short, don't move on if you haven't mastered the steps. Go for refreshers and more importantly, go out and shake that booty on the dance floor.

Martin says:

As in acquiring most new skills, you'll never know until you try. For me, I've found that the mastery of any level moves easier after I take the next higher one. (Except for level 3A compared to level 2B, minus the shines.) Partly because I see how mastery of a certain move learnt in the earlier level is required to smoothly execute another move in the higher level, thus motivating me to improve the earlier level move. But of course, one should practice to a reasonable amount - and no other way other than social dancing, before undertaking the next level. Otherwise, the barrier to overcome in learning new things from the next level may pose a problem, thereby prompting you to keep returning (read: abuse... ha ha) for refreshers! To me, assessment would comprise feedback from those you dance with and also whether one can comfortably execute the moves together with someone not from your school. To wind this up, anyone feel the same way as me?

Wenai says:

You are ready when Jean says you are "ready"! ;p Ok, seriously, I do think the best way to test whether one is ready to proceed to the next level is to dance with an instructor or a senior whom you can trust (and not be bribed). I think instructors will be the best bet...

Seph says:

1) When you have enough money.
2) When you feel the Salsa in you growing.
3) When you discovered no matter how much you watch others dance, you just can't learn their moves.. (you'll need to pray those moves are in the next lesson)
4) When you keep dreaming of the day you can impress the lovely Wendy with your Salsa, you know you just have to keep going up the next level. (even if you suck real bad! That's what instructors are for; to help you. ^_^)

Daniel says:

I will proceed to the next level if I have acquired a good level of confidence in being able to comfortably apply what I have learnt on the dance floor.

Jay says:

I guess I'll go back for refreshers and try a few sessions dancing at the clubs before going on to the next level. Found that I really don't get the music yet and it's a challenge coordinating/remembering moves plus following the music. Dancing in classroom is very different from dancing in the clubs! :)

Mary says:

When I first started out learning salsa from Two Left Feet, we didn't have the the luxury of so many classes to attend every month. In fact there was level three only almost one year later! But having said that, it was a good time to master the basics really well. And plus the fact that we all went out social dancing often, we were all fast learners when we did move on to the next level. I would say, the ultimate test is to go out social dancing and find out if you're able to lead or follow a stranger!