How Does Grade of Execution (GOE) Work in Figure Skating?
The GOE scale, base values, and how judges modify element scores
Grade of Execution (GOE) is the quality rating that judges apply to every technical element in a figure skating program. Each of the nine judges assigns a GOE from -5 to +5, where negative values indicate errors and positive values reward excellence. The GOE corresponds to a percentage of the element's base value, so harder elements gain or lose more points. After trimming the highest and lowest marks, the remaining seven are averaged to produce the final GOE adjustment.
What Is GOE in Figure Skating?
Under the ISU Judging System (IJS), every technical element in a figure skating program receives two scoring layers. First, a base value: a fixed point total reflecting the element's difficulty. Second, a Grade of Execution (GOE) from each judge, adjusting that base value up or down based on execution quality.
GOE ranges from -5 (severely flawed or failed element) to +5 (exceptional execution). A GOE of 0 means baseline quality -- competent but unremarkable. Positive GOE rewards qualities like exceptional height, effortless flow, and creative entry or exit. Negative GOE penalizes falls (-5), under-rotations, poor landings, and loss of control.
The scale was expanded from -3/+3 to the current -5/+5 in the 2018-2019 season, giving judges finer granularity. This change increased the impact of execution quality on scores.
How Does the GOE Scale Work?
Each integer on the GOE scale corresponds to a percentage of the element's base value. This proportional system means that the same GOE rating produces a larger point adjustment on harder elements. For example, a +3 GOE on a quad Lutz (base value 11.50) adds 3.45 points, while a +3 on a triple toe loop (base value 4.20) adds only 1.26 points.
| Goe | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| -5 | -50% | Fall or severely failed element |
| -4 | -40% | Major errors or multiple flaws |
| -3 | -30% | Significant errors (e.g., two-foot landing, severe under-rotation) |
| -2 | -20% | Clear errors (e.g., slight under-rotation, shaky landing) |
| -1 | -10% | Minor errors (e.g., slight imperfection in execution) |
| 0 | 0% | Baseline quality -- element performed as expected |
| +1 | +10% | Good quality with one notable positive aspect |
| +2 | +20% | Well executed with two or more positive aspects |
| +3 | +30% | Very well executed with several positive aspects |
| +4 | +40% | Excellent execution with outstanding qualities |
| +5 | +50% | Exceptional execution with no visible errors |
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What Are Base Values for Figure Skating Elements?
Every recognized figure skating element has a base value set by the ISU in its Scale of Values. The base value reflects the inherent difficulty of the element before any quality adjustment. Below are base values for common jump elements under the ISU Scale of Values for the 2024-2025 season.
| Element | Base Value |
|---|---|
| Double Axel (2A) | 3.30 |
| Triple Toe Loop (3T) | 4.20 |
| Triple Salchow (3S) | 4.30 |
| Triple Loop (3Lo) | 4.90 |
| Triple Flip (3F) | 5.30 |
| Triple Lutz (3Lz) | 5.90 |
| Triple Axel (3A) | 8.00 |
| Quad Toe Loop (4T) | 9.50 |
| Quad Salchow (4S) | 9.70 |
| Quad Loop (4Lo) | 10.50 |
| Quad Flip (4F) | 11.00 |
| Quad Lutz (4Lz) | 11.50 |
| Quad Axel (4A) | 12.50 |
How Is the Trimmed Mean Calculated?
Figure skating uses a trimmed mean to determine the final GOE for each element:
Step 1: All nine judges independently assign a GOE from -5 to +5.
Step 2: The highest and lowest marks are dropped, reducing the influence of outliers or bias.
Step 3: The remaining seven marks are averaged to two decimal places.
Step 4: The trimmed mean GOE is converted to a point value using the corresponding percentage of the base value, then added to or subtracted from the base value to produce the final element score.
Example: seven remaining marks produce a trimmed mean GOE of +2.43 for a triple Axel (base value 8.00). Adjustment: 8.00 x 24.3% = 1.94, giving a final score of 9.94.
What Changed for 2026-27? (ISU Communication 2788)
The structure of the ISU Judging System is unchanged for the 2026-27 season, and ISU Communication No. 2788, issued on 23 April 2026 and updated on 19 May 2026, keeps the shape of the GOE guidelines it inherited from Communication 2701. It takes effect for the 2026-27 season, including the Junior Grand Prix, Skate America, and the ISU Grand Prix.
The ceiling mechanism is not new. Communication 2701 already told judges that "the starting GOE for the evaluation cannot be higher than +2" for a listed set of errors, and 2788 repeats that sentence almost word for word. Judges build a starting GOE from the positive bullets of an element, then subtract for errors; a listed error caps where that start may begin.
What actually changed for 2026-27 is narrower, and it cuts both ways. The general cap that applies to any mistake requiring a reduction moved up from +3 to +4, which loosens the ordinary case. The +2 list grew: poor take-off and 2 three turns between jumps joined it, while jump with no value in a combination or sequence dropped off. A single Euler missing any revolution is now not evaluated by the Technical Panel at all, where 2701 downgraded it only at half a revolution or more. In the Free Skate, a jump with no value in a combination or sequence now draws -2 to -3 instead of -3 to -4.
The -5 to +5 scale, the percentage table above, the Levels of Difficulty and the Serious Error caps on Program Components are all carried over unchanged from 2701. To see how these marks appear on a real protocol, read reading figure skating scorecards.
Worked Example: GOE Impact on a Triple Axel
Calculate the GOE adjustment for a triple Axel (3A) with a base value of 8.00 points.
Step 1 -- Nine judges assign GOE: | J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | J6 | J7 | J8 | J9 | |----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|----| | +3 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +3 | +2 | +3 | +3 | +1 |
Step 2 -- Trim: Drop +4 (highest) and +1 (lowest). Remaining: +3, +2, +3, +3, +2, +3, +3
Step 3 -- Trimmed mean: (3+2+3+3+2+3+3) / 7 = 2.71
Step 4 -- Point value: 8.00 x 27.1% = +2.17 points
Step 5 -- Final element score: 8.00 + 2.17 = 10.17 points
Compare: a poorly executed triple Axel with trimmed mean GOE of -2.00 scores 8.00 - 1.60 = 6.40 points. The gap of 3.77 points can shift medal positions at the Olympic level.
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