In 2006, the world of gymnastics changed forever. The iconic perfect 10, once the gold standard for a flawless routine, was officially retired by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG).
Why the Gymnastics Scoring System Changed
Before 2006, gymnastics used a 10.0 scoring system—simple and recognizable. But as skills became more complex, the system couldn’t fairly separate a clean but simple routine from a groundbreaking, risk-filled one. Two very different performances could receive the same score.
To solve this, FIG introduced an open-ended scoring system. It split the final score into two main components:
- D-score (Difficulty): Open-ended—no limit
- E-score (Execution): Starts at 10.0—deductions bring it down
This change made scoring fairer and more flexible, allowing gymnasts to be rewarded for pushing the limits while still valuing precision and artistry.
How the New Gymnastics Scoring System Works
A gymnast’s final score is made up of three parts:
Final Score = D-score + E-score – Neutral Deductions
Let’s break down each component.
1. D-Score: Difficulty Score
The D-score shows how hard a gymnast’s routine is. This part of the score has no maximum limit, meaning gymnasts can keep increasing their D-score by adding more difficult and well-connected skills.
What the D-score includes:
- Top 8 skills (WAG) or top 10 skills (MAG)
- Skill values from A (0.1) to J (1.0)
- Connection bonuses for difficult elements performed back-to-back
- Composition requirements (up to 0.5 points)
Who calculates the D-score?
The D-panel judges evaluate what skills were performed, their connections, and whether composition rules were met. They do not judge execution quality.
Example (WAG Beam):
- 2 D-level skills = 0.8
- 3 E-level skills = 1.5
- Connection bonus = 0.3
- Composition credit = 0.5
→ Total D-score = 3.1
💡 Elite D-scores typically range from 5.2–6.5+ (WAG) and 6.0–7.5+ (MAG).
2. E-Score: Execution Score
The E-score measures how well the gymnast performs their routine. Every routine starts with a base of 10.000, and deductions are subtracted for any visible errors in form, technique, control, or artistry.
What the E-score includes:
- Form faults – bent knees, flexed feet, leg separations
- Balance issues – wobbles, extra steps, arm swings
- Landing mistakes – hops (–0.1), big steps (–0.3), falls (–1.0)
- Technique – incomplete turns or flips, poor body alignment
- Artistry & rhythm (especially on beam and floor) – expression, flow, originality
Who judges execution?
The E-panel typically has 5–6 judges. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the remaining scores are averaged.
- Start from 10.000
- Bent knees: –0.10
- Step on landing: –0.10
- Wobble: –0.10
→ Final E-score: 9.70
💡 Elite routines usually score between 8.5–9.2 in execution. Anything above 9.4 is exceptional.
3. Neutral Deductions
Neutral deductions are penalties not related to performance. They’re subtracted from the total after the D- and E-scores are combined.
Common Neutral Deductions:
- Out of bounds: –0.10 per step or landing outside the floor area
- Over time: –0.10 if the routine exceeds the time limit (e.g., floor and beam routines have a 90-second cap)
- Undertime: –0.10 if the routine ends too early
- Coach interference: –0.50 to –1.00 if a coach touches or spots the gymnast
- Incorrect attire: –0.30 for improper leotard, jewelry, or missing numbers
- Improper start or finish: –0.10 for failing to salute the judges or starting before the green light
Who applies these?
The Chief Judge enforces neutral deductions by monitoring rules, time, and conduct.
Example Final Score:
- D-score: 6.0
- E-score: 8.7
- Step out of bounds: –0.1
→ Total Score: 14.6
💡 Even clean routines can lose points from small rule violations—attention to detail matters!
How High Could a Score Theoretically Go?
Since there’s no cap on difficulty, gymnastics scores are theoretically limitless.
Hypothetical maximum:
- D-score: 9.0 (e.g., 8 J-level skills + bonus)
- E-score: 10.0 (perfect execution)
- Neutral deductions: 0
→ Total Score: 19.000
But in reality? That kind of routine is virtually impossible to execute without major errors. The best scores today reflect a careful balance of extreme difficulty and near-perfect form.
Highest Confirmed Final Scores in Gymnastics (2006–Present)
Below are the highest confirmed final scores (D + E combined) earned in major international competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships.
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
| Apparatus / Event | Score | Gymnast & Competition (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Vault | 16.233 | McKayla Maroney – London 2012 Olympic Final |
| Uneven Bars | 16.900 | Nastia Liukin – Beijing 2008 Olympic Final |
| Balance Beam | 16.225 | Shawn Johnson – Beijing 2008 Olympic Final |
| Floor Exercise | 15.966 | Simone Biles – Rio 2016 Olympic Final |
| All-Around (4 events) | 60.965 | Simone Biles – 2018 Worlds (Doha), Qualification |
🔹 Note: Women perform one vault in finals; score shown is from that single vault.
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
| Apparatus / Event | Score | Gymnast & Competition (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Floor Exercise | 16.133 | Kenzo Shirai – Rio 2016 Olympic Team Final |
| Pommel Horse | 16.100 | Xiao Qin – Beijing 2008 Olympic Final |
| Still Rings | 16.650 | Chen Yibing – Beijing 2008 Olympic Final |
| Vault (avg. of 2) | 16.800 | Marian Drăgulescu – Beijing 2008 Olympic Final |
| Parallel Bars | 16.475 | Huang Xu – Beijing 2008 Olympic Final |
| High Bar | 16.533 | Epke Zonderland – London 2012 Olympic Final |
| All-Around (6 events) | 92.690 | Kōhei Uchimura – London 2012 Olympic Final |
🔹 Men’s vault score shown is the average of two different vaults, as required in finals.
Source: espn.com
Why Most Scores Plateau Between 15–17 in the New System
Even with an open-ended system, most elite scores fall within a predictable range due to:
Practical Limits on Difficulty
- WAG D-scores: ~5.4–6.5
- MAG D-scores: ~6.5–7.6
Going beyond these levels risks major mistakes, reducing E-scores and total score.
Execution Score Cap
E-score maxes at 10.000. Even with perfect technique, deductions for tiny errors are nearly inevitable. Only vaults or short routines with little room for error occasionally score above 9.4.
Risk-Reward Trade-Off
A gymnast attempting a 7.0 D-score may only manage a 7.8 E-score (14.8 total), while a cleaner 6.0 D-score with a 9.0 E-score earns a 15.0.
➡️ Clean and smart beats risky and sloppy.
Event-Specific Constraints
- Vault is one skill—meaning the D-score is fixed to a single value (e.g., 6.4 for Biles II).
- Pommel horse and rings allow dense skill stacking, but also have a high deduction risk.
- Floor and bars rely on choreography and connection bonuses, but require rhythm and amplitude.
➡️ Different events offer different scoring ceilings.
Bottom Line
Technically, there’s no maximum score—but in practice:
- WAG vaults have reached 16.2+
- MAG vaults have peaked near 16.8–17.0
- All-around totals over 60 (WAG) and 90 (MAG) are extremely rare and elite
The best scores go to gymnasts who master the art of balance, combining innovative difficulty with near-flawless execution and rock-solid composure.
That’s what makes high scores in modern gymnastics so extraordinary.
