Note: judges who have passed the FIG Brevet exam are not required to take this full level 6-8 exam. They may take a short, written exam instead, which will ask questions related to the differences between the FIG and developmental programs. For more information, Email: chunt@usagym.org or kbaker@usagym.org
Registration
Deadline: February 10, 2025
Click the button at the right to register. You must be logged in in order to register (Username and personal password-which you created).
Exam Fee
$50 Exam Registration Fee
Examination Details
Date: February 13-14 - the exam will open at 9:00am EST on February 13th and close 4:00pm EST on Feb 14.
The exam will take place online. It will include Individual (RGI) Levels 6-8, and Group (RGG) Intermediate and Advanced levels. Below is an outline of the routines that will be evaluated in the exam:
Click the button below to register for the Rhythmic Level 6-8 & Int/Adv Group Judges Exam. You must be logged in order to register (Username and personal password—which you created). If you are a non-member or haven't created a username and password, click here.
Additional Notes
Exam Type
This exam will include only practical (video) examination. There will be no written (theory) questions. See the detailed outline for exact numbers and types of routines. Note: there will be a written exam for Brevet judges only in lieu of this practical exam. For more information, Email: chunt@usagym.org or kbaker@usagym.org
Technical Details
All examinees should take the exam on a laptop/computer. Phones and tablets should not be used to take the exam.
The Chrome browser is recommended for best user experience.
A wired internet connection is recommended, if possible.
An internet connection of at least 25mbps should be used during the exam. You can check your internet speed at fast.com
Go to the exam registration page and click the red button to begin at the exam start time.
Time Calculations
Judges will be in control of pressing the "play" button for each routine and advancing the slides to the next routine.
It will not be possible to pause or rewind routines.
All difficulty routines will play one time. All execution routines will be played two times.
For difficulty routines with forms, you will have 4 minutes after each routine to review your notes and input your answers in the online portal.
For execution routines and floor difficulty routines, you will have 2 minutes after each routine to review your notes and input your answers in the online portal.
Once a judge has submitted their answers, they may click to move on to the next routine. If the time to submit answers on a routine runs out, the exam will automatically prompt the judge to move on to the next exercise, recording any answers already given. Once a judge submits their score (or time runs out and the test moves on), it will not be possible to return to previous routines to change answers.
From start to finish, you will be allowed a maximum of 3.5 hours to complete the exam. Keep in mind that each routine also has a maximum time to input your answers (see above).
Question Types
For exam routines without difficulty forms, questions will be presented textually. For example, the exam will ask, "What is the value of the 1st (first) DB?". The judge will have buttons that they can select 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, etc.
For exam routines with difficulty forms, the symbols from each "box" on the form will appear on the screen. A judge will click those symbols and receive buttons that they can select the value given – 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, etc.
It will not be required to type any information in for the exam questions. For all questions, judges will click the box of the correct answer, like a multiple choice exam.
There will be only one correct answer for each question. In the case that there was a discrepancy in control scores for a question, the question/element will be valued 0 points, however, the judge will still put in their score.
Technical Difficulties: if you experience any technical difficulty during the exam, the first step is to refresh your browser. If that does not resolve the issue, please email education@usagym.org and report the specific problem immediately.
Exam Integrity
Judges must work independently and refrain from collaborating with others during the exam.
Passing Scores/Results
A passing score for the exam is 50%.
Results will be emailed to participants within one week of the exam completion and resolution of any technical difficulties experienced by participants.
Exam Creation & Grading Process
The control scores for each component of the exam have been independently assessed by members of the Development Program Committee (DVPC) who are certified DVP and Brevet judges and an exam coordinator appointed by USA Gymnastics, also a certified DVP and Brevet judge and liaison with the USA Gymnastics Education Department:
Olga Kutuzova : Rhythmic Judges Representative, DVPC Member
Nataliya Kozitskaya: DVPC Member
Jayme Riggleman (Vincent) – DVP Exam Coordinator
Any elements that were determined to be difficult to see, due to the video angle or any elements where there as a discrepancy between reference scores will be set to a value of 0pts on the exam. This means your answer to those questions will not affect your grade.
In any case where the apparatus goes out of the top of the screen on a throw, it is to be assumed that the apparatus was thrown high enough to meet the height requirement of the element in question.
Difficulty Forms
After the close of registration, test takers will receive difficulty forms by email for the RGI and RGG difficulty routines (apparatus only).
Judges should print these forms in advance of the exam and ensure that they are in the correct order:
Level 6 Rope A
Level 6 Rope B
Level 6 Hoop A
Level 6 Hoop B
Level 6 Ribbon A
Level 6 Ribbon B
Level 7 Hoop A
Level 7 Hoop B
Level 8 Ball A
Level 8 Ball B
Level 8 Clubs A
Level 8 Clubs B
Level 8 Ribbon A
Level 8 Ribbon B
Intermediate Ball A
Intermediate Ball B
Advanced Clubs A
Advanced Clubs B
Forms and routines will be clearly labeled. For example, one form and routine pair will be clearly labeled "Level 6 Rope A" and the other "Level 6 Rope B".
Forms will not be provided for floor routines or execution routines. Please be prepared with scratch paper to judge on for those routines.
Exam Preparation Notes and Study Tips:
Due to the rule changes, many routines do not match the new code well. In some cases, routines of different levels have been utilized as the closest possible option due to apparatus changes. For example, Beginner Group Ball is used for Intermediate Group Ball and FIG JR Group Clubs is used for Advanced Group Clubs.
Routines should be judged as if you are judging them in a competition. Evaluate the elements in chronological order up to the maximum allowed. Any body difficulties, apparatus difficulties, collaborations, etc. above the maximum allowed number for the level you are judging receive ZERO value. Note: if you have studied for the FIG exams, this is different and very important.
It is recommended to look at the difficulty forms ahead of time. There are many elements that could be recognized as invalid/over the maximum number allowed before starting the exam to save you time during the exam.
On the exam, the only difficulty penalties you will be asked to identify are for fundamental apparatus elements, waves, and DB with non-dominant hand. Other difficulty penalties will NOT be evaluated in an effort to simplify, since some old routines do not match the requirements for the new rules.
If a DA is attempted with a base not allowed in the table for level 6, it does not count as a DA attempt, it only counts as a movement. This does not count toward the allowed number of DA.
If a DA is attempted with a criteria not allowed for that base, it does not count as a DA attempt, it only counts as a movement. This does not count toward the allowed number of DA.
Review the cases detailed in the DA section of the Development Program handbook where an invalid DA does count as a DA attempt.
Review the new cycle changes for fouette balances and pivots.
Remember that penche and Sakura balances are in the same box (same difficulty).
Remember that any jumps landed on the knee(s) are not valid.
Review the new cycle changes for allowed number of DAs from each base.
Review the changes for vertical rotation groups
Remember changes for under the leg and outside visual field criteria.
Remember the maximum number of difficulties for each level.
