In 2006, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) began using a new scoring system for men's and women's artistic gymnastics. The new system incorporates credit for the routine's content, difficulty and execution, and a gymnast's score no longer is limited to a maximum of 10. In the United States, the new system will be used at all elite level events. Women's Junior Olympics (Levels 1-10) and collegiate gymnastics will use the previous system, while men's Junior Olympics and collegiate gymnastics are using a modified version.

In addition to the new scoring mechanism, the FIG revised the Code of Points by re-valuing some skills and adjusting individual apparatus requirements. The changes to scoring and the Code were under study and discussion for more than a year. The FIG approved the revised Code and new scoring system during meetings in Baku, Azerbaijan, in October 2005. Although the basic process is the same for men and women, some differences exist between the two. Just like with other sports, the scoring system is expected to have minor adjustments in the coming months after it has been used at competitions. Also, the new artistic gymnastics scoring system is similar to those used in rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. The revised Code does include verbiage addressing score inquiries and the use of video review.

Under the new system, a gymnast's total score includes values for both the routine's content and his/her execution. Basically, the new scoring procedure adds the Difficulty Score, which includes difficulty, connection value and element requirements, to the Execution Score, which encompasses execution, artistry, composition and technique, to determine a gymnast's total score. Scores no longer have a maximum value of 10.

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.

Difficulty Score

Difficulty# (4C=4x.3, 4D=4x.4, 2E-2x.5) +3.8 points
Element groups (5x0.5) +2.5 points
Connection value^ +0.6 points
Total Difficulty Score 6.9 points

Execution Score*

Base start 10 points
Deductions&
Execution -0.7 points
Composition/artistry -0.3 points
Total Execution Score 9.0 points

Final score 15.9 points

This explanation of the new scoring system reflects the set-up at FIG events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups. The number of members on the two panels may be different at events that are not conducted by the FIG, which is how it has been done in the past. The scoring mechanism and processes remain constant throughout, but the number of judges used on the panels may be changed.

As the system is used, the FIG may make adjustments as needed, which has been done in the past with other changes. Although the "10" designation is no longer the top score, the new system enables fans to see what a gymnast has scored and how it was determined. The new system, in essence, is a new calculation of the previous pieces of start value, deductions and score.

Below is a scoring comparison of the new and old systems using Carly Patterson's balance beam routine from the finals at the 2004 Olympic Games. This is only intended as an illustration to better demonstrate the differences between the two systems. Please note that this routine was constructed under the old system, and routines for the new code would not be constructed this way; this is intended only as a frame of reference. At the 2004 Olympic Games, Patterson's routine scored 9.775 out of 10.0.

Explanatory details	New scoring system	Old scoring system
Routine breakdown
Mount: Split sit	No Value	A
Standing split scale	No Value	A
Standing Arabian salto	F	E (0.2)
Front aerial, flic flac, back layout, step-out	D, B, C (Acro Series)	D+B+C (0.2) + (0.1)
Front salto, sheep jump	D, D	D+D (0.2) + (0.2)
Half turn	No Value	No Value
Full turn	A	A
Switch leap, back tuck	C, C	C+C (0.1)
Dismount: Round-off, flic flac two feet, double Arabian salto	B, B, G	B+B+Super E (0.2)+ (0.2)
		Total Bonus 1.4
Routine valuation for Difficulty Score	Under the current system the top 10 difficulty elements are:	Basic start value, 8.8
	1 G = 0.7
	1 F = 0.6
	3 D = 1.2
	3 C = 0.9
	2 B = 0.4
	Difficulty value, 3.8
	Full turn is not counted as one of the 10 difficulty elements but is an Element Group Requirement (EGR). The routine would receive 2.0 out of a possible 2.5 for EGR	Routines start at 8.8 base, plus 1.4 bonus with a maximum start value of 10.0
	EGR, 2.0
	Connection bonus 0.6
	0.1 for front salto to sheep jump
	0.1 for switch leap to back salto
	0.2 for front aerial, flic flac, layout salto
	0.2 for round-off, flic flac, double Arabian dismount
Difficulty Score/start value	TOTAL Difficulty Score: 6.4	10.0 SV
	B Panel Deductions
	No dance series, compositional deduction,0.3
	Mount of no value, composition deduction, 0.1
	Execution deduction, 0.3
	Add the 0.4 compositional and the 0.3 execution deductions and subtract from 10.0
Execution Score/ deductions	TOTAL Execution Score: 9.3	Execution Deductions 0.25
Explanation of deductions for execution	Assuming that the judges took (2) -0.1 deductions and (1) -0.05 deduction and realizing that the execution penalties no longer have a 0.05 deduction, the minimum deduction for execution for this routine would now be 0.3.	Lack of a dance series and no element mount and appropriate
Final Score	(Difficulty plus Execution Scores) 15.7	9.775

FIG Scoring System Comparison

NOTE: This explanation of the new scoring system reflects the set-up at FIG events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups. The number of members on the two juries may be different at events not conducted by the FIG, which is how it has been done in the past. The scoring mechanism and processes remain constant throughout, but the number of judges used on the juries may be changed. As the system is used, the FIG may make adjustments as needed, which has been done in the past with other changes.

	New system	Old system
Gymnast's Score	Score for each gymnast is determined by adding together the score for the routine's content (Difficulty Score) and execution (Execution Score).	Each routine was given a start value, and the actual score was the total of credit given for the routine minus deductions for execution. The highest score possible for each was determined by the start value, with a maximum of 10 points.
Start value	Is now part of the score determined by A Panel, which also includes connection value and element requirements, which vary for each apparatus.	Start value was determined by the elements included in the routine, as well as added value for connections and other bonuses. The base start value for the elite level was 8.8 for women and 8.4 for men. The maximum was a 10.
A Panel	The two-person panel that determines the Difficulty Score or the maximum difficulty and content value of each routine. Only the highest level judges are eligible for this panel.	The two-person panel that determined the start value of each routine. Only the highest level judges were eligible for this, which usually included members of the technical committee. Was called Jury A.
B Panel	Made up of six judges, B Panel awards scores based on execution, technique, composition and artistry. This is the panel size for FIG-conducted international events; it may vary at domestic events.	Made up of six judges, Jury B evaluated a routine based on execution, technique and artistry.
Difficulty Score: difficulty and technical content score	The Difficulty Score includes points for difficulty value, connection value and element group requirements. A Panel determines this for each routine.	This score was basically the equivalent of the start value. For men, this accounted for half of the score and was referred to as the difficulty score. It was determined by an A panel.
Difficulty value (part of Difficulty Score)	Gymnasts are awarded points for the 10 highest elements, including the dismount. The difficulty value of an element is not recognized if it fails to meet its technical requirement. Skills are now divided into seven groups, A through G, for women and six groups, A through F, for the men. Difficulty value is part of the Difficulty Score. Point valuations for skills and categories have been revised.	The start value was comprised of the base score plus bonus, which came from connections and values. For the men, this was called the difficulty score and was broken into Difficulty and Bonus Points. For men and women, skills were divided into six groups for difficulty, A through Super E.
Connection value (part of Difficulty Score)	Is included in the Difficulty Score. Men may earn connection value in three of six events (floor, horizontal bar, still rings), and women do so in three of four (balance beam, floor, uneven bars). Credit is only given if the skills are performed without a fall or doesn't meet other established criteria. Connections are valued at either 0.1 or 0.2 points.	Was included in the start value. Men had connection values in five events, and the women in three. Credit was only given if the skills were performed without a fall, or for women, if they had less than 0.3 in deductions.
Element Group Requirement (part of Difficulty Score)	Each apparatus has five identified element groups and each of the five element groups is awarded 0.5 pts, with a maximum of 2.5 available. This does not apply to vault.	Was the requirement for the base start value. For the men this is the same as the last Code with the exception that each element group was worth 0.1.
Execution Score: Execution, composition, artistry	Tallied by B Panel, gymnasts are awarded a score based on execution, artistry, technique and composition. The score starts at 10 and deductions are made for faults in execution, composition and artistry of presentation. The highest and lowest judges' scores are dropped. The remaining four are averaged, with neutral deductions taken from the average for the Execution Score. Deductions range from 0.1 for a small violation to 0.8 for a fall.	Judges evaluated routines and made deductions for faults and errors. This portion, which started at zero and added the deductions, was subtracted from the start value to determine the gymnast's score, which had a cap of 10. Deductions ranged from 0.1 for a small violation to 0.5 for a fall.
B Panel	B Panel is the six-person panel that evaluates routines for execution, composition, technique and artistry. Each judge starts with 10 and then makes deductions for any committed faults in those areas.	Jury B functioned very similarly but did not start at 10 for the scores. Instead, they tallied the points and deductions. The highest and lowest judges' scores were dropped; the remaining four were averaged and then subtracted from the start value to reach the gymnast's score. The highest attainable score for a routine was determined by the start value; the maximum available was 10.
Neutral deductions (deducted from Execution Score)	Neutral deductions are given for stepping out of bounds, violating time requirements, attire or podium violations, etc. These deductions are subtracted from the sum of the Difficulty and Execution Scores.	Neutral deductions were about the same; these were applied after the two juries had made their determinations. The deduction for errors varied and ranged from 0.1 to 0.5.
Inquiries	A coach may inquire verbally about the Difficulty Score to the chief A Judge immediately following the posting of the score or before the completion of the performance of the next gymnast. A Panel will conduct a video review, if necessary. If there is still a question, a written inquiry must be submitted to the chair of the Superior Jury by the start of the next rotation. A financial fee accompanies the inquiry, which is returned if the inquiry proves correct. If not, the fee is donated to the FIG Foundation. This procedure is covered in the Code of Points.	The system was basically the same, but it was not written in the Code and did not include a filing fee. Also, video review was used by the women but not by the men.
Superior Jury	Members of the respective technical committees serve on the Superior Jury.	The Apparatus Jury handled these responsibilities.
Valuations	Skills have been divided into seven categories (A-G) for women and six classifications (A-F) for men for difficulty, with new point allocations. The value for error deductions has also been changed. These are outlined in the Code of Points.

* The Execution Score is calculated by averaging the middle four of six scores
^# Includes a D level dismount.
& For the men, deductions are listed as exercise presentation deductions rather than divided into execution and composition/artistry.
^ The connection value used in the example is for women and does not reflect a viable number for the men.