• One of the most important things the BJCP does is to administer the BJCP qualifying examination. This is the test that distinguishes the true beer judge from everyone else. It's a combination of:

    • written answers to specific questions, and
    • completion of scoresheets based on actual tasting

  • Currently Scheduled Exams

    If you're interested in taking the exam, contact the person listed to reserve a place (walk-ins are rarely accepted). Exam administrators frequently conduct exam preparation sessions for a number of weeks prior to the exam, so early registration can be a big advantage.

  • Studying for the Exam

  • Exam Study Guide  Interim Study Guide. A recently (September 2008) revised, edited, and corrected version of the 1998 study guide. We're calling this an "interim" guide, because the exam is gradually being revised, and we expect to have another large scale revision when the next phase of the exam modification takes place.

  • Judge Procedures Manual  Important information that will help you prepare for the exam as well as when you judge at competitions. This is also available as a PDF file.

  • The BJCP Exam and typical questions  Description of the exam format and the kinds of questions to expect (part of the Study Guide)

  • Exam changes in 2006  These updates have been incorporated into the current version of the Study Guide. This document will remain here a little longer, just for historical purposes.

  • Completed Scoresheets  Sample scores sheets from the tasting portion of an actual exam, filled out by people who did very well

  • So you want to be a Beer Judge?  (PDF) Introduction to Judging article from Zymurgy, July/August 2004

  • Mastering the BJCP Exam  (PDF) Presentation given at the 2003 Chicago AHA NHC, updated in 2008

  • Style Presentation  (PDF) An interesting view of the style guidelines, with one style per page in a summary format useful for studying. Based on the 2008 Style Guidelines. Note: These are provided by Karen Rudloff, and are not in any way "official" BJCP material. Please direct suggestions for changes to the author.

  • Off-Flavor Flashcards  (PDF) A set of flashcards covering the most common off-flavors/defects. They include how to recognize them and what to do about them. Note: These are provided by Sean Hewitt, and are not in any way "official" BJCP material. Please direct suggestions for changes to the author.

  • First Time Judge Packet  (PDF) A document that is usually sent to new judges by the exam administrators. All of the information in this document is available here on the website, in various places, but this offers a nice introduction to the program.

  • Exam Administrator Resources

  • How to Schedule an Exam  Requirements and procedure for requesting a BJCP exam in your city

  • Exam Forms ·  Paperwork needed by exam administrators

    • Exam Procedures (how to give the exam) (PDF or Word)

    • Proctor Instructions (instructions and scoresheets) (PDF or Word)

    • Exam Preamble (exam cover sheet) (PDF or Word)

    • Participant Info (examinee's personal data) (PDF or Word)

    • Exam Data (used to schedule the exam) (PDF or Word)

    • Exam Scoresheets (used by the examinees) (PDF or Word)

  • Exam Payment  (Exam administrators only). This allows an exam administrator to use PayPal to submit the payment for an exam that has already been held.

  • Exam Grader Resources

  • Exam Grader Policy  The Exam Directors are probably the most dedicated, hard-working, and valuable people we have in the BJCP, but they could accomplish very little without the hard work donated by the many members who do the actual grading of exams. People sometimes wonder about how we handle the selection and management of exam graders, so we have codified the policy in this document.

  • Report to Participant  (blank RTP form in Word format)

  • Exam Scoring Guide used by exam graders. This also available in Word format.

  • Lead Grader Guidelines  Advice, recommendations and best practices for lead graders (PDF format).

  • Grading Scoresheets  (Draft) Advice, recommendations and best practices for creating and grading quality scoresheets (Word format).

  • Exam Grading Form  Spreadsheet used by graders for recording individual scores (Excel format).

  • Exam Grader Tools  Tools submitted by graders that aren't officially supported, but may be of use to other graders.

  • Exam Protest Policy

    The process for contesting a grade given on a BJCP exam.

  • Retroactive points

    If you believe you have acquired point (judging, stewarding, or staff) before you took the exam for the first time, send an email to the IT Director with the competition name, date, your role (judge, steward, staff, etc.), and how many points you are claiming. If the organizer included you in the report, we will award you credit immediately. If not, we will ask you to contact the organizer to vouch for your service.