Guide for Judges
Quick reference guide for MIST competition judges.
Judging Standards
Section titled “Judging Standards”Impartiality
Section titled “Impartiality”- Judge based on rubric criteria only
- Do not let personal preferences affect scoring
- If you know a competitor, disclose and recuse if necessary
- Treat all competitors equally
Professionalism
Section titled “Professionalism”- Be on time for all rounds
- Be prepared with scoring materials
- Provide constructive feedback
- Maintain confidentiality about scores
Scoring Quick Reference
Section titled “Scoring Quick Reference”Common Point Distributions
Section titled “Common Point Distributions”Most competitions use a 100-point scale with sections:
| Section | Typical Points | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | 5-10 | On time, formatting, requirements met |
| Content | 25-35 | Ideas, development, organization |
| Presentation/Style | 25-40 | Delivery, aesthetics, creativity |
| Theme Application | 15-25 | Connection to annual theme |
| Overall Experience | 5-10 | Holistic impression |
Scoring Guidelines
Section titled “Scoring Guidelines”- 90-100: Exceptional - Outstanding work that exceeds expectations
- 80-89: Excellent - Strong work with minor areas for improvement
- 70-79: Good - Solid work meeting most requirements
- 60-69: Satisfactory - Meets basic requirements with notable gaps
- Below 60: Needs Improvement - Significant deficiencies
Timekeeping Rules
Section titled “Timekeeping Rules”Speech/Presentation Competitions
Section titled “Speech/Presentation Competitions”| Competition | Time Limit | Grace Period |
|---|---|---|
| Extemporaneous Speaking | 7 min | 30 sec |
| Original Oratory | 7 min | 30 sec |
| Spoken Word | 6 min | None specified |
Time Signals
Section titled “Time Signals”- Must provide time signals when requested by competitor
- Use visible hand signals or cards
- Common signals: 2 min remaining, 1 min remaining, 30 sec, time
Overtime Consequences
Section titled “Overtime Consequences”- Exceeding time (after grace period) = ranked last in round
Ballot Overview by Competition Type
Section titled “Ballot Overview by Competition Type”Arts Competitions (2D, 3D, Digital, Fashion, Photography)
Section titled “Arts Competitions (2D, 3D, Digital, Fashion, Photography)”- Section A: Technical (5 pts)
- Section B: Production Quality (30 pts)
- Section C: Presentation Quality (40 pts)
- Section D: Application of Theme (25 pts)
Note: Pre-interview scoring cap at 80 points. Only top 15 interviewed can score above 80.
Oratory Competitions (Extemp Speaking, Original Oratory)
Section titled “Oratory Competitions (Extemp Speaking, Original Oratory)”- Section A: Technical (10 pts)
- Section B: Content - Intro/Body/Conclusion (35 pts)
- Section C: Presentation - Analysis/Delivery/Language (45 pts)
- Section D: Overall Experience (10 pts)
Writing Competitions (Poetry, Prepared Essay, Short Fiction)
Section titled “Writing Competitions (Poetry, Prepared Essay, Short Fiction)”- Section A: Technical/Conventions (5-10 pts)
- Section B: Content/Ideas/Organization (40-50 pts)
- Section C: Style - Word Choice/Voice (25-35 pts)
- Section D: Theme Application (15-25 pts)
Quran Competitions
Section titled “Quran Competitions”- 3 passages scored
- Memorization + Pronunciation per passage
- Point deductions for mistakes and prompting
- 3 passages scored
- Recitation + Tajweed per passage
- Tajweed knowledge questions (10 pts)
Tie-Breaker Procedures
Section titled “Tie-Breaker Procedures”General
Section titled “General”- Review specific competition tie-breaker rules
- For debates: Use opponent strength scores, then speaker rankings
- For other competitions: Use designated tie-breaker criteria on ballot
Quran Memorization (2026)
Section titled “Quran Memorization (2026)”- Tie-breaker section included on ballot
- Can break up to 5-way ties
Conduct Standards
Section titled “Conduct Standards”- ✅ Use the rubric consistently
- ✅ Take notes for feedback
- ✅ Provide constructive comments
- ✅ Be encouraging while honest
- ✅ Report any concerns to organizers
Don’ts
Section titled “Don’ts”- ❌ Don’t discuss scores with competitors or audience
- ❌ Don’t allow audience to influence judging
- ❌ Don’t communicate with competitors during competition
- ❌ Don’t use phones during rounds
- ❌ Don’t share rubric details not meant for competitors
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Section titled “Common Mistakes to Avoid”- Inconsistent scoring - Use the same standards for all competitors
- Not following the rubric - Score based on criteria, not overall impression
- Harsh or unhelpful feedback - Be constructive and specific
- Missing overtime - Track time carefully
- Discussing scores publicly - Keep scoring confidential
Handling Issues
Section titled “Handling Issues”| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Competitor is late | Note on ballot; follow regional policy |
| Technical difficulties | Allow reasonable accommodation; consult organizers |
| Inappropriate content | Stop performance; consult organizers |
| Suspected plagiarism/AI | Note concern; report to organizers |
| Audience disruption | Address or request organizer assistance |
Feedback Tips
Section titled “Feedback Tips”Good feedback is:
- Specific - Point to exact moments or elements
- Balanced - Include strengths and areas for growth
- Actionable - Give suggestions they can apply
- Encouraging - Recognize effort and potential
Example:
“Your thesis was clear and your examples were compelling. For future presentations, try varying your pace more - slowing down on key points would add impact. Strong connection to the theme throughout!”