Since the 2006 shift to the open-ended scoring system, the definition of a “high score” in gymnastics has changed dramatically. No longer aiming for a perfect 10, gymnasts now accumulate points from two separate components: Difficulty (D-score) and Execution (E-score). So what counts as a “high score” under this modern system?
Scoring Basics: D + E – Neutral Deductions
In today’s system, a gymnast’s total score is made up of:
- D-score (Difficulty): Open-ended, based on the value and connection of performed skills
- E-score (Execution): Starts from 10.000 and deducts for form, balance, technique, and artistry
- Neutral Deductions: Penalties (e.g., out of bounds, overtime, coach interference)
Final Score = D-score + E-score – Neutral Deductions
A “high score” is therefore the product of both a big D-number and a clean E-number; one without the other rarely wins.
What Counts as a High D-Score?
The D-score is the sum of a gymnast’s most difficult skills, connection bonuses, and required composition elements. The more challenging and well-constructed the routine, the higher the D-score.
Under the 2025–2028 FIG Code of Points, a “high” D-score means reaching the 90th percentile or higher for that apparatus:
- Women (WAG): ~6.0 on bars and floor, ~6.4 on vault, ~6.5 on beam
- Men (MAG): Mid-6s on floor, pommel, parallel bars, and high bar; high-5s on vault; high-6s on rings
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
| Apparatus | Typical Elite D-Score | High D-Score (World-Class) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vault | Fixed (max ~6.4) | 6.4 | Simone Biles – Yurchenko Double Pike |
| Uneven Bars | 5.6–6.2 | 6.5–7.0 | Kaylia Nemour – 7.0 (Doha 2024) |
| Balance Beam | 5.4–6.0 | 6.5–6.7 | Simone Biles – 6.7 (2019 US Champs) |
| Floor Exercise | 5.5–6.2 | 6.6–6.9 | Simone Biles – 6.9 (2023 Classic) |
General Rule (WAG): A D-score of 6.4 or above is considered very high, with 6.7+ being exceptional.
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
| Apparatus | Typical Elite D-Score | High D-Score (World-Class) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor Exercise | 6.5–7.0 | 7.4–7.6 | Kenzo Shirai – 7.4 |
| Pommel Horse | 6.2–6.6 | 6.8–7.0+ | Max Whitlock – 6.9 |
| Still Rings | 6.5–6.9 | 6.9+ | Chen Yibing – 6.9 |
| Vault (per vault) | Fixed: 5.6–6.0 typical | 6.4+ | Yang Hak-Seon vault – 6.4 |
| Parallel Bars | 6.8–7.2 | 7.4+ | Zou Jingyuan – 7.3+ |
| High Bar | 7.0–7.2 | 7.5+ | Epke Zonderland – 7.5 |
General Rule (MAG): A D-score of 7.0+ is elite, and 7.5 or more is extremely rare and impressive.
What Counts as a High Execution (E) Score?
An Execution score (E-score) begins at 10.000, and judges subtract for every form break, balance check, rhythm error, or imperfect landing. The cleaner the routine, the closer the athlete remains to that 10.000 starting value.
Under the 2025-2028 Code, a “high” E-score means you’re at or above the 90th-percentile mark for that apparatus:
- Women: ≥ 9.20 on vault; ≈ 8.50 + on bars and floor; ≈ 8.30 + on beam.
- Men: ≥ 9.15 on vault; ≈ 9.10 + on parallel bars; ≈ 9.00 + on rings; ≈ 8.60 + on floor, pommel horse, and high bar.
Common E-Score Benchmarks:
| E-Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 9.4–10.0 | Nearly flawless. Rare. Usually seen on vault or p-bars. |
| 8.7–9.3 | Excellent. A few minor deductions, but clean overall. |
| 8.0–8.6 | Solid, but with noticeable form or landing faults. |
| < 8.0 | Major errors—falls, large steps, or form breaks. |
💡 Elite-level routines generally score around 8.5 to 9.2 in execution. Anything over 9.4 is outstanding—usually seen only in events like vault or men’s parallel bars.
Putting It Together: What Final Score Counts as “High”?
High final scores vary by event. Here are typical “high score” benchmarks and standout examples:
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
| Apparatus | High Score Benchmark | Exceptional Score Example |
|---|---|---|
| Vault (1 vault) | 15.0+ | McKayla Maroney – 16.233 (London 2012) |
| Uneven Bars | 14.8+ | Nastia Liukin – 16.900 (Beijing 2008) |
| Balance Beam | 14.5+ | Shawn Johnson – 16.225 (Beijing 2008) |
| Floor Exercise | 14.6+ | Simone Biles – 15.966 (Rio 2016) |
| All-Around Total | 58.0–60.0+ | Simone Biles – 60.965 (2018 Worlds) |
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
| Apparatus | High Score Benchmark | Exceptional Score Example |
|---|---|---|
| Floor Exercise | 15.5+ | Kenzo Shirai – 16.133 (Rio 2016) |
| Pommel Horse | 15.3+ | Xiao Qin – 16.100 (Beijing 2008) |
| Still Rings | 15.8+ | Chen Yibing – 16.650 (Beijing 2008) |
| Vault (avg. of 2) | 16.0+ | Marian Drăgulescu – 16.800 (Beijing 2008) |
| Parallel Bars | 15.7+ | Huang Xu – 16.475 (Beijing 2008) |
| High Bar | 15.7+ | Epke Zonderland – 16.533 (London 2012) |
| All-Around Total | 88.0–92.0+ | Kōhei Uchimura – 92.690 (London 2012) |
NCAA Women: The Classic 10 Lives On
In U.S. women’s college gymnastics, the traditional 10.0 scoring system is still going strong. Unlike the open-ended scores used internationally, 10.0 remains the highest possible mark in NCAA competition. It’s simple, familiar, and popular with fans.
In the 2025 season alone, over two dozen perfect 10s were awarded during regular-season meets. Trinity Thomas of the University of Florida tied the NCAA all-time record with 28 career perfect 10s, cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s greats.
In NCAA women’s gymnastics today:
- 9.950 to 10.000 is considered elite
- Perfect 10s are impressive, but no longer rare
- Routines are carefully designed to maximize reward with minimal risk
- The focus remains on clean execution, not extreme difficulty
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Rhythmic gymnastics uses an open-ended scoring system, like artistic gymnastics, but focuses more on dance and equipment use.
- D-score (Difficulty): Includes body skills, dance steps, and handling of apparatus like ribbon, hoop, and ball.
- E-score (Execution): Starts at 10.0 and takes off points for mistakes in form, timing, or artistic quality.
At top international competitions:
- The best routines score between 38 and 40 points.
- A score over 36.0 is usually enough to make finals.
- Above 38.0 is world-class and often earns medals.
Acrobatic, Aerobic & Parkour Gymnastics
These disciplines use open-ended scoring, just like artistic gymnastics. Their scoring includes D-score (Difficulty), E-score (Execution), and sometimes A-score (Artistry) depending on the discipline.
- Acrobatic Gymnastics: Routines scored out of D + E + A, with top elite pairs and groups reaching totals in the 28–30+ range. A score above 29 is often podium-worthy.
- Aerobic Gymnastics: High-level routines earn 21.0–23.0+, with scores above 22.5 considered strong medal contenders at World Cups and Championships.
- Parkour (newly under FIG): Focuses on speed and freestyle scores separately. High scores vary by format, but typically two points above the field average marks a standout performance.
💡 In all three disciplines, “high” scores typically mean breaking into the top few points of the performance curve.
Trampoline Gymnastics
Scoring in trampoline now includes:
- Execution (E) – out of 20.0
- Time of Flight (T) – how long the gymnast stays in the air
- Difficulty (D) – based on number of twists, flips, and their combinations
- Horizontal Displacement (HD) – measures how well the gymnast stays centered
High-Level Final Scores:
| Gender | Final-Winning Score | What’s Considered “High” |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 58.0–61.0 | 59+ is elite |
| Women | 56.0–59.0 | 57+ is podium-level |
Final Takeaway
In the modern world of gymnastics, the definition of a “high score” depends on the discipline, the event, and the scoring system used. High scores always reflect the same core ingredients:
- Bold difficulty
- Exceptional execution
- Smart, strategic routine design
- Consistent control under pressure
FIG disciplines may differ in format and style, but across all of them, high scores mark routines that rise above the rest, not just in what’s done, but in how precisely, creatively, and confidently it’s performed.
