The Code of Points: D-Score and E-Score

Gymnastics is no longer scored out of a perfect 10. Understanding the two-score system is the single most useful piece of knowledge a gymnastics family can have.

The rulebook of gymnastics is called the Code of Points, written by the FIG and updated every Olympic cycle so the sport keeps evolving. Until 2006 routines were marked out of a perfect 10. After a judging controversy at the 2004 Olympics, the sport moved to an open-ended two-score system that is still used today. Every modern score is built from two separate numbers added together.

The D-Score (Difficulty)

The D-score measures how hard the routine is. It is open-ended, meaning there is no maximum. On bars, beam, and floor it is built from difficulty value, compositional requirements, connection value, and applicable bonus.

• Difficulty Value: the value of the eight highest-difficulty counting elements on bars, beam, and floor, with the dismount included among those eight on bars and beam.
• Compositional Requirements: points for including the required types of elements on that apparatus.
• Connection Value: bonus for linking certain difficult skills directly together.
• Bonus: current WAG rules also award specific bonuses, such as eligible dismount bonus, when the Code requirements are met.

Every skill has a letter value. The scale runs from easiest to hardest:

The E-Score (Execution)

The E-score measures how well the routine was performed. It always starts at a perfect 10.0, and judges subtract deductions for every error. A panel of E-judges scores independently; the highest and lowest are dropped and the remaining scores are averaged, which protects against one biased or mistaken judge. On floor and beam, an artistry assessment also feeds in.

Neutral deductions, sometimes called penalties, are taken off the very end, separate from execution, and are applied by the chief, difficulty panel, or Superior Jury depending on the fault. They include stepping or landing out of bounds on floor, exceeding the time limit on floor or beam, line faults, failure to acknowledge the D-jury, incorrect use of equipment or mats, and presentation or behaviour faults.

The Code also penalises matters unrelated to any skill. These include incorrect or non-regulation attire, wearing jewellery, with rules on small earrings varying by Code edition and competition level, missing national identification or start number, incorrect bandage colour, non-identical team leotards where team rules apply, and disallowed coaching or unsportsmanlike behaviour. The Code does not give a normal deduction for a hairstyle itself, but hair, handguards, bandages, and wrist wraps should be secure and competition-safe. Exact values are set by the Code of Points in force.

A Worked Example

Suppose a gymnast performs a beam routine with a difficulty score of 5.0. The execution judges average a score of 8.0 after deductions for two wobbles and a small step on the dismount. She did not step off or run over time, so there are no neutral deductions. Her final score is 5.0 + 8.0 = 13.0. Raise the D-score by adding a harder skill, or raise the E-score by cleaning the wobbles, and the total climbs. That is the entire strategy of competitive gymnastics in one sentence.

*Approximate, per apparatus, and varies by event and Code cycle. Use as orientation, not a target table.