Difficulty Score: difficulty and technical content.

The Difficulty Score represents what was previously known as the start value and includes difficulty and credit for connections (two high-level skills that are connected) and element group requirements, which are the basic categories of skills/elements that must be included in a routine. The element group requirements vary by apparatus. This score is determined by the A Panel, which is a two-person panel.

The difficulty value is determined by totaling values for the 10 most difficult skills, which includes the dismount. Each skill has a set difficulty value, as outlined in the Code of Points, and for the women are divided into seven classifications, with six for the men. The difficulty value of a skill or element is not recognized if it fails to meet its technical requirements. Also, credit is also only given once for a skill.

Connection value is awarded when specific skills or skill types are executed successfully in succession. The women can earn connection values for the balance beam, uneven bars and floor exercise, while the men can earn it for the floor exercise, still rings and horizontal bar. For men and women, each connection value is either 0.1 or 0.2 points. Element group requirements are the basic skills or elements that must be included in each routine and vary by apparatus. This area is similar to the special requirements in the past. If all of the requirements are included, a maximum of 2.5 points is awarded.

Each judge on the A Panel independently reaches his/her Difficulty Score and then the two compare and reach a consensus. After the score has been posted, a coach may inquire about the Difficulty Score, first verbally and then in writing. An inquiry may be resolved by using video review. The initial inquiry must be made prior to the completion of the next gymnast’s routine. The written inquiry must be submitted before the end of the rotation, and the Superior Jury reviews the inquiry. At FIG events, a fee is assessed for filing an inquiry; it is returned if the inquiry is upheld.

Execution Score: execution, artistry,

composition and technique.

The Execution Score, determined by a six-person B Panel, now begins at 10 and deductions are made for errors and faults in technique, execution and artistry/composition. Each judge independently determines his/her score. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the gymnast’s Execution Score is the average of the remaining four judges’ scores. Deductions for neutral errors are subracted from the sum of the Difficulty and Execution Scores.

The deductions for various errors have changed and now range from 0.1 point for a small error to 0.8 point for a fall. Neutral errors include those for stepping out of bounds or violating time requirements, as well as attire or podium violations. Inquiries are not allowed on the Execution Score.

Total score

The gymnast’s final score is the total of the Difficulty and Execution Scores less any deductions for neutral errors. Here’s an example on how the scoring is calculated. The example uses a woman’s routine.