Matt, look over at the pattern section for that info. I agree with Angus, pattern flying makes you a MUCH smoother and better 3D pilot. It doesn't really work the other way around. A good pilot can do both well. Practice is everything, burn fuel. But if you can't fly a straight line and control your plane, you will tear up a LOT of planes trying to learn 3D. My advice would be practice pattern THEN practice 3D and blend the styles.

In the US, the classes are:

Sportsman (entry level)
Intermediate
Advanced
Masters (top class in the AMA)
FAI/F3A (top class in the world)

For more info check out www.nsrca.org you can spend many hours there learning and searching links.

-Mike