How Gymnastics Is Scored [3 Most Common Types Explained]

Unsure on how gymnastics is scored? It might look complicated at first, especially as different types of gymnastics are scored differently. Years ago, everything was clear and simple – there were a few referees giving numbered scores, so each gymnast pushed for a perfect 10.

However, since referees became more tolerant and too many gymnasts ended up with a maximum score, the federation had to change the system. Today, the whole event is about difficulty and execution.

1) How Artistic Gymnastics Is Scored

Artistic gymnastics brings in two different sets of judges – the D panel and the E panel.

The D panel is about difficulty – 4 judges assigned here. Skills are rated from A to H – 0.1 points to 0.8 points. No matter how many skills a woman shows, only the top eight ones will be taken in consideration. As for men, the top 10 skills are considered. They are added together for the final score.

On the other hand, the E panel is about execution. It counts 4-5 judges that evaluate every single mistake. Every gymnast starts with a clear 10 score, then small faults are deducted from it. Bent arms represent a mistake, for example. The same goes for legs or multiple steps. Falls are just as bad.

Once both panels give out their scores, the final score implies adding them together. To start practicing gymnastics at home, make sure you invest in a gymnastic bar for home and also get a tumbling mat along to minimise your falling impact.

2) How Aerobic Gymnastics Is Scored

Learning how gymnastics is scored can be confusing when it comes to the aerobic events, which have three different panels – A (Artistic), D (Difficulty) and E (Execution).

The A score is given by four judges. However, the highest and lowest scores are not taken in consideration, but just the ones in the middle. An average of all these scores determines the final A score.

The D score is given by two judges and it does not include any numbers. Instead, the two judges must have a small conversation and analyze the difficulty of the exercise before agreeing to the final result.

As for the E score, the way it works is similar to the A score – four judges average the scores, apart from the highest and lowest one.

The final score is given by adding the three scores.

3) How Rhythmic Gymnastics Is Scored

Rhythmic gymnastics might feel a bit overwhelming at first. However, the general idea is fairly simple. There are six apparatuses and each of them has a maximum score – 20.0.

There is also an execution score that is set at 10.0. Any technical mistake will cause a deduction. The same goes for the artistic score and the difficulty score. However, the difficulty score is not counted on deductions. Instead, gymnasts start at 0 and keep building up.

The final score is obtained by averaging the scores.​​

Conclusion

Simply put, each type of gymnastics has a different scoring system, yet they are relatively similar. Knowing how gymnastics is scored might give you a clue about how well a gymnast performed. The final score is normally given on the screen, so you do not have to do any math.

Practice more to reduce mistakes during execution and always remember to use good quality mats to lower the falling impact. That being said, you will be a professional gymnast in no time.