The following observations are based on many years of experience as a judge on the regional and local level for IPMS USA and on the International and regional level for AMPS

Closed System Judging  (that is: judging where models are compared to each other within a category to determine which is the most well done model within the category) is commonly practiced by IPMS USA in its local, regional, and national contests.  A First, Second, and Third Place are determined using standardized judging criteria set forth in the Judging Handbook IPMS/USA Competition Handbookthat may be found at: http://www.ipmsusa.org/MemberServices/memberservices.htm .

I would encourage anyone interested in entering a model in competition to download the handbook and to read it thoroughly.  You will gain a wealth of insight into how to build a better model based on the input of many of the most skilled modelers around.  In reality, there are few things (other than constant practice of your craft) that will help you more in becoming a better modeler than working regularly as a judge at competitions.  You will be exposed to more different models more intensely than in any more casual viewing as a spectator.  You will also enjoy a level of camaraderie with your fellow modelers that you will seldom find in other ways.

The following are a few points that will serve you well when you are out on the floor working in a judging team.  These points are in no particular order of importance and are not all inclusive.

How an IPMS USA Competition as a Whole Works

• In an IPMS USA competition, categories are generally judged by teams of three or four judges who arrive at their decisions by consensus.  Each broad category will have a Section Leader (who generally also does double duty as a judge) who helps with questions among the judges under his supervision and by making sure all categories under his area are completely considered (no models skipped over) and that all completed judging forms are turned over to the Chief Judge and his assistants.  The Section Leader also determines, with a team of judges from his section, which model is the Best of the Class he is in charge of.  This model will later be considered for Judge’s Best of Show, so this decision is very important and should be carefully thought out.  The Section Leader should be a highly experienced judge and modeler who thoroughly knows the ins-and-outs of both judging and modeling his area of expertise.  He (she) should be open-minded and fair beyond any criticism… there is nothing that can ruin the reputation of a show faster than the perception being spread around that the judging is not completely impartial and above board… integrity in judging is everything.
• Each team has a leader who makes sure that every model is considered in the judging and who keeps things going toward a decision on First, Second, and Third Places within a category.  Each team should have at least two experienced judges and no more than one apprentice judge (someone judging for the first time who is “learning the ropes” from the more experienced judges).  The members of the team will point out to each other observations about the model, both positive and negative in a steady banter to determine the model’s standing relative to other models in the given category.  The group will pare down the group of models to a workable number and compare finer points about the models under consideration until a First, Second, and Third Place are determined.  These decisions will be reviewed by the Section Leader to ensure that the judging is consistent and above board.
• The Chief Judge should be highly experienced both as a judge and a builder and must strive to be absolutely impartial in all matters.  His role is to see that the judging is handled in a completely fair manner, to settle judging and competition questions as the final arbiter of disputes, to determine, with the Section Leaders, whether models need to be moved to different categories than they are entered in or if categories should be split or combined and to be sure that the Best of Class and other Special Awards are judged.  He and his assistants will process the completed judging sheets and prepare a slate of winners for announcement and presentation of awards at the end of the competition.  He leads the team of Section Leaders  that choose the Judge’s Best of Show from among the models chosen as the best within their respective Classes.

 

Some General Points About Judging Models

• Step out of judging a category if you are entered in the category being judged.  This should be a no-brainer as you want to preserve the integrity of the resulting judging.  In tight decisions or large categories call on the Section Leader (for example: Chief Auto Judge) to get you a substitute judge for the category.
• Keep comments about the models being judged polite, to the point, and discrete so that they are heard only by the other members of the judging team.  It is hard enough to enter a piece into competition.  No one wants to hear a piece they have worked on for any period of time torn apart with glib remarks.  See the attached over-the-top humor piece and consider it the type of things you should never say at a contest whether you are a judge or not. If people seem to be hanging about listening to your discussion while you are judging, feel free to politely ask them to step out of the immediate area so you can proceed with the judging of the category.  If necessary, enlist the assistance of the Section Leader or Chief Judge to explain to them why this is necessary.
• Never handle models any more than is absolutely necessary to judge them fairly. If this requires you to call the modeler forward to move his model, so be it. At nearly every show I go to I see models being lifted up and handled needlessly… this needs to be curtailed as much as possible. You can generally jockey models around the table by carefully sliding them about on their entry forms or bases. Get down to the models level to examine them… unfortunately judging is a bit rough on the lower back and the knees. Try not to touch the models.   Each team should have a couple of pointers (like bamboo skewers) to use to point out areas to other members of the judging team. Penlights and extra batteries are also very useful and encouraged if needed (given the ambient lighting in most venues, they usually are!).
• If a modeler seeks you out after the competition to find out what was “wrong” with his entry, be honest, diplomatic, and keep your comments positive… the idea is to help him improve his modeling skills, not to drive him away from the hobby!  We are all sensitive about our work in what tends to be a rather solitary hobby.  A little sensitivity toward your fellow modelers and a little gentle guidance as to what could be done to improve their efforts will go a long way.  Put away your ego and be a mentor rather than an arrogant experten.
• Be sure to read the information provided on the judging sheets. The information on the sheets is sometimes non-existent, sometimes sparse, and often present in great detail, but it can be very useful in determining the scope of effort involved in producing a model.
• Look at the basics first and foremost. If the basics of construction, alignment, and finish are not there, I don’t care how nicely the engine is tricked out or the cockpit is done… the basics need to be there first… this is what craftsmanship is about.
• After the basics, look for consistency. Is the level of detail consistent throughout the model or did the modeler do a fantastic job in one area and just do a so-so job elsewhere. A model is more convincing if it is consistent throughout.
• What is the scope of effort involved in doing the model?  With two equally well-done models, who had to do the most work to get there and what level of skill was needed to get there? When you are choosing the top model in a category, this often becomes a deciding factor.
• What about presentation? The way a model is presented can become an almost intangible factor. Is the model placed on an attractive base? Speaking of bases, check to see if the model is attached to the base (it should say so on the entry form) and handle it accordingly. Does it have an interesting color scheme? Is the subject appealing? While such factors are not usually judged (the exceptions would be in dioramas, figures and collections), they do have an unconscious effect on all viewers (including judges). As a builder, I would not hesitate to consider this when I put together my model.

Chuck Wise (Chief Judge, SyrCon)