Advancing through the USA Gymnastics (USAG) Women’s Development Program isn’t only about mastering new skills , you also have to hit specific All‑Around (AA) mobility scores at sanctioned meets.
A mobility score is the minimum All-Around total (Vault + Bars + Beam + Floor) you must earn at a sanctioned meet to qualify for the next level. These numbers are standardized nationally by USA Gymnastics for fairness and safety.
- AA = All-Around: Your combined score for all 4 events.
- IES = Individual Event Specialist: At higher levels (7–9), a gymnast may move up on one event by scoring 8.5+ on that single apparatus.
Tip: Only sanctioned USAG meets count. Intra-squad or unsanctioned scores don’t apply.
The chart below condenses the national requirements published in the 2024‑2025 USAG Rules & Policies; individual states may raise the bar for their own State or Sectional meets, but they cannot set lower numbers.
| Level | Minimum Age* | Mobility score to move up | Skip / alternate options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 2 | 4 – 5 yrs | None (coach discretion) | N/A |
| 3 | 6 yrs | None | N/A |
| 4 | 7 yrs | 34.00 AA to Level 5 | Two 36.00 AA scores allow a direct jump to Level 6 |
| 5 | 7 yrs | 32.00 AA to Level 6 | May move back & forth between 5 ↔ 6; Level 5 can be skipped with two 36.00 AA scores at Level 4 |
| 6 | 7 yrs | 32.00 AA to Level 7 | May skip Level 6 entirely if the 32.00 AA was earned at Level 5 |
| 7 | 7 yrs | 32.00 AA or 8.5 event‑specific IES† to Level 8 | — |
| 8 | 8 yrs | 34.00 AA or 8.5 IES to Level 9 | — |
| 9 | 8 yrs | 34.00 AA or 8.5 IES to Level 10 | — |
| 10 | 9 yrs | No score — top of the Development Program; next step is Elite qualification | — |
Source: 2024‑2025 USAG Women’s Rules & Policies
Mobility Score
The minimum All-Around (AA) total a gymnast must achieve at a sanctioned meet to move up to the next level. These scores are set by USA Gymnastics to ensure gymnasts are ready for the increased difficulty of higher levels.
All-Around (AA)
This is your combined total from Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise.
- Maximum possible score: 40.00 at compulsory levels
- Optional levels may exceed 40.00 with bonus skills and start-value increases
IES (Individual Event Specialist)
At optional levels (7–10), gymnasts can advance based on one event, not the full AA.
If a gymnast scores 8.5 or higher on a single apparatus, they may move up as an IES, even if their overall AA falls short.
Sanctioned Meet
A competition officially recognized by USA Gymnastics, where mobility scores are tracked and verified.
❌ Not valid: intra-squad meets, mock meets, or non-sanctioned invitationals.
✅ Valid: local, state, regional, or national USAG-sanctioned competitions.
Mobility Score Progression: Level 1-10
Levels 1–2
Gymnasts must be at least 4–5 years old, depending on the level. There is no formal score requirement to move up . Progression is based entirely on coach discretion. These levels are focused on early development and body awareness.
Level 3
At 6 years old, gymnasts can enter Level 3. Like Levels 1–2, there is no required mobility score to advance. Coaches assess when athletes are ready to progress to Level 4 based on skill mastery and routine readiness.
Level 4
Gymnasts must be at least 7 years old to compete in Level 4. To advance to Level 5, they must earn a 34.00 All-Around (AA) score at a sanctioned meet. There’s also a fast-track option: if a gymnast scores 36.00 AA twice, they may skip Level 5 and proceed directly to Level 6.
Level 5
Also requiring a minimum age of 7, Level 5 athletes need a 32.00 AA to move up to Level 6. Flexibility is built in. Gymnasts may move back and forth between Levels 5 and 6. Additionally, if they previously achieved two 36.00 AA scores at Level 4, they are eligible to skip Level 5 entirely.
Level 6
With a 32.00 AA at Level 6, gymnasts become eligible for Level 7. The minimum age remains 7 years old. Notably, if a gymnast already scored 32.00 AA while at Level 5, their coach may approve skipping Level 6 entirely and entering Level 7 directly.
Level 7
Gymnasts at Level 7, also aged 7 or older, have two pathways to Level 8:
- Earn a 32.00 AA overall
- Or score 8.5 or higher on a single event as an Individual Event Specialist (IES)
This IES path allows gymnasts with standout apparatus scores to advance even without a qualifying AA total.
Level 8
At 8 years old, gymnasts must earn either a 34.00 AA or 8.5 IES score to move on to Level 9. This level includes higher start values and fewer skill restrictions, preparing athletes for high-level optional gymnastics.
Level 9
Also starting at 8 years old, Level 9 athletes need a 34.00 AA or 8.5 IES score to advance to Level 10. These scores typically must be earned at a State or Regional qualifying meet.
Level 10
To compete in Level 10, gymnasts must be at least 9 years old. There is no mobility score required to advance to this level as it’s the final stage of the Development Program. From here, gymnasts may pursue Elite qualification, college gymnastics, or national competition.
The Season Clock: When Do Mobility Scores Expire?
In gymnastics, timing matters both in routines and in the calendar.
- The mobility season runs from August 1 to December 31 of the following year.
- That gives gymnasts approximately 17 months to use their qualifying score at the next level.
Example:
If a gymnast earns a 34.00 AA on August 10, 2025, they have until December 31, 2026 to compete at the next level.
If they don’t compete by then, the score expires and they must requalify.
Coach Tip: Build your meet schedule early in the season, and have backup options in case of injury, illness, or travel issues.
In conclusion, mobility scores keep the Development Program fair and safe, ensuring every gymnast has the technical base to thrive when the routines get harder and the stakes get higher.
