How Does Grade of Execution (GOE) Work in Figure Skating?
A complete breakdown of the GOE scale, base values, and how judges modify element scores under the ISU Judging System
Last updated: February 17, 2026
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, virtually flawless execution |
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.
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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