The ISU has published Communication 2190, which outlines new GOE and Program Component Guidelines. This is an especially important document this year, due to the change from a -3 to +3 scale to a -5 to +5 scale. This Communication replaces 2095 from last season. Here are the highlights.

Application of GOE criteria

• Each judge will look at the same five key aspects for every element: shape, unison, speed, flow, and quality. The judge’s assessment of these aspects will set their starting GOE.
• Each judge will then increase or decrease the GOE according to criteria about positive aspects and errors specific to that element.

GOE quality scale

• The scale from -5 to +5 has been aligned with the 0 to 10.00 Program Component scale. That is, a -5 element is considered “extremely poor,” which aligns with a PCS of 0.25. Similarly, a +5 element is considered “outstanding,” which aligns with a PCS of 10.00. Using the same language as reference points for both GOE and PCS will likely help with consistency in application of both marks.

Penalties for major errors

• Falls will be costly this season. Page 6 notes, “A program containing a major error cannot be awarded a score from 9.25 to 10 for any of the Components.” Major errors are defined on Page 5 and include all falls. The expectation has always been that judges adjust their PC marks according to fall severity, but this guideline is much more specific than in the past. The Technical Panel will also continue to apply penalties for falls.

For more information on the new GOE guidelines, I recommend watching this 27-minute video.