Testing and Becoming
a Judge
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In order to become a judge, you need to take a written
exam to judge at the compulsory levels (5/6) and a written exam
and a film test to judge at the optional levels (7/8, 9, 10).
Although both Level 5/6 and 7/8 are considered entry levels,
it is highly recommended that you begin with the Level 5/6 test.
Florida tests are currently scheduled for August 22 (Boca). Registration is available on the USAG website. Look under "Programs" then "Womens" then "For Judges" to find the test information. On-line registration is available for USAG Professional members. If you are not yet a USAG professional
member, you will need to print the registration form and mail it to
USAG. Mail registrations are due 2 weeks before the test
date. If it is the first time you are taking the
test, register for Form A-1 of the level you are taking, e.g., Level
5/6 A-1. No on-site registration is allowed.
Tests are subject to cancellation if sufficient enrollment is not obtained.
In order to prepare for the compulsory test, purchase the Women’s Junior Olympic Compulsory Text 2005-2013 from USAG and study the Level 5 and 6 routines. Memorize the elements,
the value of the elements, the sequence of the elements, the
special deductions in the gray boxes, the general deductions
in the back of the book, and all of the vault deductions. In order to prepare for the Level 7/8 test, you will need
to purchase the Women's JO Code of Points from USAG.
Memorize all of the rules related to Level 7 and Level 8
as well as all A, B, and C elements. There is also a helpful study guide, GymQuest, on the
NAWGJ national website: www.nawgj.org
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Anyone
can enter the judging profession as a Level 5/6 or Level 7/8
judge by passing the appropriate test. You must be a minimum
of 16 years old in order to test at Level 5/6 or 7/8.
Level
5/6 judging candidates are required to take a written exam and
pass with a score of 70%. Level 7/8 judging candidates are required
to take a practical (film) and a written exam and pass with a score
of 70% on each part.
Examinees may take the written and/or practical test for
a specific level a maximum of four times per accreditation year in an
attempt to pass.
Click here for
sample Level 5/6 test.
Click
here for sample Level 7/8 test.
The
sample tests are published solely to help you gain insight into
the format of test questions--the answers may not be accurate
because the rules change periodically and the sample test may
not be current with latest revisions. The Level 7/8 test does not reflect any changes made for 2009-13.
New judges must also take and pass the
USAG Safety Certification course before judging. If a judge
is under the age of 18, USAG will give the judge a "junior professional" card
until the judge turns 18. Then, the judge must apply to become
a Professional Member of USAG. Return to top
In order to test Level 9, you must be 18 years old, have
judged as a Level 7/8 and Level 5/6 for a minimum of 12 months
and completed the Continuing Professional Education requirements
(12 hours with a minimum of 6 clinic hours). You must
take a written test and achieve a minimum score of 76% and
must take a practical (video) test and achieve a minimum score
of 75%. You are not required to take both parts
at the same time, nor are you required to repeat any
part previously passed.
If you do not achieve the required scores for
Level 9, you will be sent a Level 7/8 rating card provided
you obtained a minimum score of 70% on both parts of the exam.
Examinees may take the written and/or practical test
for a specific level a maximum of four times per accreditation
year in an attempt to pass.
Click
here for sample Level 9 test.
The
sample test is published solely to help you gain insight into the format of
test questions--the answers may not be accurate because the rules change periodically
and the sample test may not be current with latest revisions. The test does not include changes made for the 2009-13 years.
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In order to test Level 10, you must have actively held an
Optional Level 9 rating for a minimum of 12 months. You
must have completed the Continuing Professional Education requirements
of 16 hours (minimum 8 clinic hours) and must be a minimum
of 20 years of age. In order to pass the test, you must
receive a minimum score of 80% on each test part (written and
practical).
If you do not achieve the minimum scores for Level 10, you
will be sent a rating card for either Level 9 if you obtained
a score of at least 76% on the written exam and 75% on the
practical exam. If you received a minimum score of 70%
on both parts, you will be sent a Level 7/8 rating card. Examinees
may take the written and/or practical test for a specific level
a maximum of four times per accreditation year in an attempt
to pass.
Click here for
sample Level 10 test.
The sample test
is published solely to help you gain insight into the format
of test questions--the answers may not be accurate because
the rules change periodically and the sample test may not
be current with latest revisions. The test does not include changes made for the 2009-13 years.
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 In order
to be considered for the National rating, judges must
have actively judged Level 10 for two Olympic cycles and must
have successfully completed the national judges exam. The criteria
for invitation to the national judging course change after each
Olympiad and are published in USAG Technique.
Brevet ratings allow judges to officiate
at elite national and international competitions. Invitations
to the Brevet courses are issued by USA Gymnastics and are
typically issued to former Olympic or World Team members.
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Testing dates for the entire country are listed on theUSAG website in the Women's
Program Section, Just for Judges. Registration
for the exams is available only on the USAG website. Return to top
If you would like to be added to the test/clinic mailing list to learn
about upcoming clinics for potential judges and receive test
registration forms, please send your name, address, phone, and
email address to Catherine Fariz, State Judging Director. Please indicate that you would like to
be added to the email list for potential judges. Thank you.
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