Introduction
Hello! My name is QJ Wong, I helped with setting the definitions for Level Two (L2) for the IJP and I’m the current L2 Testing Manager.
Being a competitive fan from the 2000s, as well as being a small store owner, this level is very dear to my heart. We expect L2s to be judges who found themselves involved with competitive rules-enforcement-level (REL) events and are excellent at enforcing rules and policies related to competitive events at the local game store level, as well as being well connected with the local judging community.
Philosophy
Level 2 represents the next step a person could take as a certified judge in more ways than one.
For some, it represents a tangible way to show how their repertoire of knowledge and skills has expanded beyond just “knowing the rules of the game”. For others, it will be a stepping stone towards further and deeper involvement in judging bigger events beyond their local game store.
It is important for me to stress that, it is perfectly fine for one to recognize that level 2 is the right place to be for themselves. There will be those who seek level 2 in order to better support their local community or their employers for in-store competitive REL events.
We would like to help the candidate realise that these are all options that are available to them. As such, the certification should lead a candidate to discover how to find other members of their community, not just for help on rules and policies, but also on how to seek out information about events and resources for potential future self-development within the program. We expect a L2 candidate to have a L2+ mentor to help the candidate with various steps in the advancement process, staying involved with the community will be helpful for that, as well as connecting with a L3+ interviewer for advancement.
We want to stress that at this level, English proficiency is not a requirement – any advancement or maintenance requirements for this level can be met using your preferred language. (The IJP will strive to provide localised content wherever possible.)
It is also important for us to note that the process for L2 accommodates the unique characteristics of each community it serves. Regional Representatives, in coordination with the L2 Testing Manager, may adapt the advancement or maintenance requirements based on regional needs. We encourage candidates to reach out to their Regional Representatives to address any questions or concerns regarding their levelling process.
Skill Evaluation
Internally, when we were discussing how to differentiate L2s and L3s, we made the decision to make L2s the in-store, competitive REL judge.
L2s will be vital for a local game store’s competitive play, and to that end, we want candidates to be capable of running in-store competitive events by themselves. They will be proficient at enforcing rules and policies related to events at the local game store level. Meanwhile, L3s are able to shine on competitive and/or multi-day events and beyond, working with large (in terms of staff numbers), multi-team staff, frequently requiring travelling beyond their local game store for such events.
Rules exams, policy exams, endorsements as well as interviews will form the bulk of the advancement requirements, as well as maintenance to help us make sure L2s are at the proficiency that we want them to be at.
Community Involvement
One of the first few lines of text when you go to the IJP’s home page that you will see is –
The International Judge Program is a Community-driven, nonprofit association for judges with a goal to provide certification and education to its members and create an inclusive and welcoming environment.
One of the first requirements you’ll see is having to write an actionable feedback review for another member of the community. Receiving actionable feedback is vital for personal growth. It does not have to be extensive, but should at least have a clear description of the observation, and actionable suggestions that come out of that observation. Giving reviews to others could also be a productive way to connect and contribute to your local community.
Though finding people to endorse or interview you might seem challenging at first, the more connected you are to the community at large, the easier it will be for you to connect with the right people who can help you in these regards. If you ever find this difficult, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Regional Representative.
Being involved with the community could be as simple as just interacting with each other on local communication channels. As mentioned earlier, other members of the community can not just help on rules and policies, but also get information about events and resources for your personal development, or even make new friends, and most importantly, have fun!
Further Explanations on Advancement Requirements
The advancement requirements are copied here and highlighted in blue and italics as a reference.
To be promoted to L2, a candidate must complete the following requirements. Requirements 1-3 may be completed in any order. This is followed by the interview (requirement 4), which is followed by the tests (requirement 5). Accessibility exceptions can be made by the Testing Managers, in coordination with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team.
1. Write a review of another judge from an event where both judges worked. The review must contain detailed and actionable feedback.
Writing feedback, especially if it is not something you are familiar with, can be daunting. Candidates are encouraged to seek help and guidance on how to meet this requirement. Receiving actionable feedback is vital for personal growth. It does not have to be extensive, but should at least have a clear description of the observation, and actionable suggestions that come out of that observation. Giving reviews to others could also be a productive way to connect with and contribute to your local community.
2. Under the supervision of an L2+, work at least two Competitive REL events.
A L2 needs to have experience working Competitive REL events. As mentioned in the description, candidates who have difficulties fulfilling these requirements should reach out to us at IJPL2TestingManager@gmail.com to find a potential solution.
3. Receive an advancement review from an L2+, evaluating at minimum the following qualities and affirming that the candidate is ready for Level Two:
- Technical performance at an event
- Confidence in giving a ruling in a Competitive REL environment
- Details of one policy related discussion from the event
- Player engagement
- An understanding of using Eventlink for Competitive REL events
- Ability to perform a deck check
- Knows how to run competitive limited events, including sealed deck and booster drafts
Technical performance at the event refers to the ability of the candidate to handle tasks and expectations of a judge one would generally expect from a competitive REL event. Each item does not have to come from the same event. The review does not have to be extensive, but the L2+ writing the advancement review should express how the candidate has met the requirements outlined in the bullet points above.
4. Pass an interview with an L3+ Judge including at a minimum the following evaluated items:
- Understanding of the responsibilities of a head judge at a local competitive REL Event
- Understanding of the philosophy differences between penalties (Warning, Game Loss, etc)
Competitive REL is where penalties are going to make a difference in a players’ tournament and could potentially greatly affect their day or beyond. We want candidates to understand why these penalties are given, and understand the impact they will have on a player.
- Understanding of how to turn over a round
A major contributor to a tournament’s day’s length is the time between rounds turning over. Candidates should understand good practices in order to make everyone’s day better by not taking longer than necessary.
- Ability to distinguish between Unsporting Conduct situations (USC-Major vs USC-Minor vs no penalty)
Unsporting Conduct can be difficult both to assess and give out. We expect that candidates have a good enough understanding of them to know when issuing them is appropriate.
- Reflecting on the advancement review they received together with the interviewer to help with the candidate’s self-evaluation
Going through the advancement review to identify areas of improvement as well as to assist in self-evaluation can be valuable for the candidate, and also helps to increase building bonds with other members of the community.
5. Pass the L2 Policy Exam with a score of 85 or better. The exam is timed, proctored and open book (only CR; MTR; IPG and JAR).
6. Pass the L2 Rules Exam with a score of 84 or better. The exam is timed, proctored and open book (only CR; MTR; IPG and JAR).
Further Explanations on Maintenance Requirements
The advancement requirements are copied here and highlighted in blue and italics as a reference.
Once a judge has achieved L2, judges complete annual maintenance to ensure our quality promise to Tournament Organizers and players.
To maintain the L2 certification, a judge must complete the following items each year:
- Choose one —
- Pass the annual L2/L3 rules refresh exam
- Pass three out of four set update quizzes throughout the year
- Pass the annual L2/L3 policy refresh exam
We expect members to demonstrate that they are keeping up with the ever changing rules and policies of the game.
3. Choose one —
- Work at least two competitive events
- Work at least six events
4. Stay involved and engaged with the local judge community.
In the same vein, we also expect members to be active within their community by both being involved with events and the community itself. We will not be asking members to submit proof of community involvement, but highly encourage you to engage and interact with other members of the communities either in person or online.
Level 3
An L2 can consider looking towards L3 when they are comfortable with Competitive REL and want to be involved with larger events such as multi-day events.
An Important Milestone
Regardless of where your judging career will take you, your L2 certification will be an important milestone where one would prove their competitive mettle. We hope L2 will be a proud certification for many to earn, as well as a useful measure of abilities for Tournament Organizers all around the world, especially on the local game store level.
Once again, I would like to reiterate that it is perfectly fine for one to recognize that level 2 is the right place to be for themselves. More likely than not, the pillars of in-store competitive REL for local game stores all around the world are going to be Level 2s. As a L2, you will be relied on by players and tournament organisers in local game stores alike for your rules and policy expertise.
