If a Level 7 gymnast scores a 9.200 and a Level 10 gymnast also scores a 9.200, the two routines may have arrived at that score in very different ways.
That is because USA Gymnastics Development Program optional routines are built around a Start Value (SV).
Unlike FIG elite gymnastics, which uses an open-ended D-score, the Women’s Development Program uses its own scoring system for Levels 6–10.
Once the Start Value is determined, execution, artistry and other applicable deductions are taken to produce the final score.
USA Gymnastics classifies Levels 6–10 as optional levels. Levels 6–9 have difficulty restrictions, while Level 10 has no difficulty restrictions.
Quick Guide: Start Value by Level
Under the current 2026–2030 Development Program Optional Code, the basic structure is:
| Level | Required Value Parts | Base SV* | Composition Credit | Bonus Needed for 10.0 | Full SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 A + 2 B | 10.00 | — | — | 10.00 |
| 7 | 4 A + 3 B | 10.00 | — | — | 10.00 |
| 8 | 4 A + 4 B | 9.80 | Up to 0.20 | — | 10.00 |
| 9 | 3 A + 4 B + 1 C | 9.50 | Up to 0.20 | Up to 0.30 | 10.00 |
| 10 | 3 A + 3 B + 2 C | 9.20 | Up to 0.30 | Up to 0.50 | 10.00 |
*The base SV assumes the required Value Parts and all four Special Requirements are fulfilled before Composition Credit and bonus are added.
As gymnasts move up the levels, routine construction becomes increasingly important.
What Is a Start Value in Gymnastics?
A Start Value (SV) is the score a gymnast begins with before deductions are taken.
For example:
10.00 Start Value − 0.70 deductions = 9.30 final score
If the routine only has a 9.50 Start Value:
9.50 − 0.70 = 8.80
So the Start Value reflects the routine’s credited difficulty and requirements before execution deductions are applied.
The Four Main Parts of a Development Program Start Value
On bars, beam and floor, the Start Value depends mainly on four things:
- Value Parts (VP) — Does the routine contain enough A, B and C difficulty?
- Special Requirements (SR) — Does it include the four required types of skills?
- Composition Credit (CC) — At Levels 8–10, does the routine contain enough level-appropriate difficulty?
- Bonus — At Levels 9–10, does it include enough difficult elements and connections?
Here is how each part works.
1. Value Parts
Development Program elements are classified as A, B, C, D or E Value Parts according to difficulty.
In general:
A → B → C → D → E
means progressively greater difficulty.
For the basic Start Value requirements:
- Level 6: 4 A + 2 B
- Level 7: 4 A + 3 B
- Level 8: 4 A + 4 B
- Level 9: 3 A + 4 B + 1 C
- Level 10: 3 A + 3 B + 2 C
These requirements make sure the routine contains enough difficulty for its level.
DP Value Parts Are Not FIG Difficulty Values
The Development Program does not use the same numerical A–J Difficulty Value system used to calculate a FIG D-score.
So the FIG A–J Difficulty Values should not be used to calculate a DP Start Value.
They are separate scoring systems.
2. Special Requirements
Having enough Value Parts is not enough.
Bars, beam and floor also have four Special Requirements (SR) for each level.
Each one is worth:
0.50
So the four requirements together account for:
4 × 0.50 = 2.00
If one Special Requirement is missing:
−0.50 from the Start Value
The exact requirements depend on the level and apparatus. They may involve things such as a bar change, an acrobatic series, a leap, specific saltos or a minimum-value dismount.
In simple terms:
Value Parts = enough difficulty
Special Requirements = the right types of elements
3. Composition Credit
Starting at Level 8, gymnasts can earn Composition Credit (CC) for including the level of difficulty expected for that level.
| Level | Maximum Composition Credit |
|---|---|
| 6 | None |
| 7 | None |
| 8 | +0.20 |
| 9 | +0.20 |
| 10 | +0.30 |
For example, a Level 8 routine with all required Value Parts and Special Requirements has a:
9.80 base Start Value
Full Composition Credit brings it to:
9.80 + 0.20 CC = 10.00
The exact way CC is earned differs on bars, beam and floor.
In simple terms:
Composition Credit rewards a routine that contains the difficulty expected for its level.
4. Difficulty and Connection Bonus
At Levels 9 and 10, gymnasts also need bonus to reach a full 10.0 Start Value.
Bonus can come from two main sources:
- Difficulty (D/E) Bonus — harder individual elements
- Connection Value (CV) — eligible elements connected together
| Level | Bonus Needed for 10.0 |
|---|---|
| 6–8 | None |
| 9 | Up to +0.30 |
| 10 | Up to +0.50 |
So the basic formulas are:
Level 9
9.50 base + 0.20 CC + 0.30 Bonus = 10.00
Level 10
9.20 base + 0.30 CC + 0.50 Bonus = 10.00
The exact Difficulty (D/E) Bonus and Connection Value rules depend on the level, apparatus and elements performed.
In simple terms:
Difficulty (D/E) Bonus = harder elements
Connection Value = difficult elements performed together
How Each Level Reaches a 10.0 Start Value
Once the four main parts are understood, the progression from Level 6 to Level 10 is fairly simple.
| Level | How the Routine Reaches 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Level 6 | 4 A + 2 B + 4 SR = 10.00 |
| Level 7 | 4 A + 3 B + 4 SR = 10.00 |
| Level 8 | 9.80 base + 0.20 CC = 10.00 |
| Level 9 | 9.50 base + 0.20 CC + 0.30 Bonus = 10.00 |
| Level 10 | 9.20 base + 0.30 CC + 0.50 Bonus = 10.00 |
*The base Start Values assume all required Value Parts and Special Requirements are fulfilled.
The pattern is:
Levels 6–7: meet the requirements → 10.0
Level 8: requirements + Composition Credit → 10.0
Level 9: requirements + Composition Credit + Bonus → 10.0
Level 10: requirements + more Composition Credit + more Bonus → 10.0
As gymnasts progress, simply meeting the minimum Value Parts and Special Requirements is no longer enough. Levels 8–10 increasingly reward stronger routine composition, difficulty and connections.
Note: Vault is different. Each allowable vault has its own predetermined Start Value rather than using the Value Part, Composition Credit and bonus formula above.
How Is Vault Start Value Calculated?
Vault uses a much simpler system.
Instead of building a Start Value from Value Parts, Special Requirements, Composition Credit and bonus, each allowable vault already has an assigned Start Value.
The basic calculation is:
Vault Start Value − Deductions = Final Vault Score
Levels 6 and 7 use specific developmental vaults under their level rules, while Levels 8–10 choose from level-specific vault tables.
In general, more difficult vaults have higher Start Values.
Start Value vs. FIG D-Score
The Development Program Start Value should not be confused with the D-score used in FIG elite gymnastics.
| USAG Development Program | FIG Elite | |
|---|---|---|
| Main term | Start Value (SV) | D-Score |
| Scoring structure | Built toward 10.0 | Open-ended |
| Element difficulty | Value Parts | Difficulty Values |
| Requirements | Special Requirements | Composition / Element Groups |
| Connections | DP bonus rules | FIG Connection Value |
In FIG gymnastics, recognized Difficulty Values are added as part of an open-ended D-score.
In the Development Program, bars, beam and floor routines instead work toward a 10.0 Start Value using the requirements for the gymnast’s level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Level 6–10 Routines Start From 10.0?
No. A gymnast can have a Start Value below 10.0 if the routine is missing required Value Parts, Special Requirements, Composition Credit, bonus or other required credit.
The exact reason depends on the level and apparatus.
Can a Gymnast Lose Start Value During the Routine?
Yes. The Start Value judges award is based on what is actually performed and recognized, not only what the gymnast planned.
If an element is not recognized, a connection breaks or a required skill is missing, the credited Start Value can be lower than expected.
Is a 10.0 Start Value the Same as a Perfect Score?
No. A 10.0 Start Value only means the routine begins from 10.0 before deductions.
Execution, artistry, landing errors, balance checks and other deductions can still lower the final score.
Can a Gymnast Score Higher With a Lower Start Value?
Yes. For example, a gymnast with a 9.80 Start Value and very clean execution can outscore a gymnast with a 10.00 Start Value who has more deductions.
Start Value creates scoring potential, but execution still matters.
Can Harder Skills Raise the Start Value at Every Level?
Not always. At Levels 6 and 7, harder skills do not automatically increase the Start Value above 10.0.
At Levels 8–10, higher difficulty can matter more because of Composition Credit and, at Levels 9–10, bonus opportunities.
Why Do Levels 9 and 10 Need Bonus?
Because their base Start Values are below 10.0.
Level 9 must build from 9.50, while Level 10 must build from 9.20. Bonus from eligible difficulty and connections helps close that gap.
Is Connection Value the Same as Difficulty Bonus?
No. Difficulty (D/E) Bonus rewards harder individual elements. Connection Value rewards eligible elements performed directly together.
Both can help build bonus at Levels 9 and 10, but they are earned in different ways.
Does Vault Use the Same Start Value Formula as Bars, Beam and Floor?
No. Vault does not use Value Parts, four Special Requirements, Composition Credit and bonus in the same way. Each allowable vault already has its own assigned Start Value.
Can Start Value Rules Change?
Yes. USA Gymnastics updates the Development Program Code from one cycle to another, so required Value Parts, Special Requirements, Composition Credit and bonus rules can change.
For exact competition rules, the current 2026–2030 Development Program Optional Code and official USA Gymnastics updates should always be used.
