LEVEL 1
Description, Advancement, Maintenance and Skills
Table of Contents
Description
Level One (L1) Judges primarily run events at local game stores (LGS) or casual events outside of stores, and may occasionally attend a large event that’s close to them. They understand the fundamental rules of the game, help casual players at their store learn more about how the game works and can resolve common issues. Level One Judges are capable of serving as a Head Judge for events where the primary focus is on fun, and not on high stakes.
The process for L1 accommodates the unique characteristics of each community it serves. Regional Representatives, in coordination with the L1 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 leveling process.
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 localized content wherever possible.)
To read more about the philosophy and explanations for certain items in this document, please refer to the details article for Level 1.
Level 1 Testing Manager: Bruna Chiochetta L1TestingManager@InternationalJudgeProgram.org
Advancement
To be certified for L1, a candidate must complete the following requirements. Requirements 1-4 may be completed in any order, and requirement 5 may only be attempted after the other requirements are complete. Accessibility exceptions can be made by the Testing Managers, in coordination with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team.
1. Run at least 2 sanctioned events
2. Give opening announcements and round announcements at an event
3. Pass an interview with a L3+ Judge or a Regional Representative including at a minimum the following evaluated items:
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- Confidence and lack of major stress or distress giving a ruling
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- Understanding of Casual Play Philosophy
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- Understanding of JAR Serious Problems
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- Ability to create a plan for product distribution for a prerelease
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- Basic understanding of Eventlink
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- Ability to explain limited procedures to new players
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- Ability to recognize potential advantage when something goes wrong in a game
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- Mature behavior consistent with the IJP values
4. Become a member of the IJP (annual membership fee is still to be decided based on the number of members and the association’s costs. Our goal is to have it as low as possible.)
5. Pass the Level 1 Exam with a score of 80 or better. This exam is proctored, timed, and open book (CR, MTR, and JAR)
6. Receive an Advancement Review from a L3+ Judge or a Regional Representative, including the interview evaluated items.
Skills
As a certified L1 Judge, a judge demonstrates the following proficiencies:
Knowledge
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- Passed the L1 exam, which covers the rules and handling common casual play scenarios
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- Understanding of casual play philosophy
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- Understanding of policy priorities in casual play
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- Understanding of Serious Problems
Event Skills
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- Basic understanding of running events in Eventlink
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- Ability to run a draft on their own
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- Ability to run a sealed or constructed event on their own
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- Ability to identify areas for potential advantage or cheating in judge calls
Community Skills
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- Involvement in their local community
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- Engagement with a Level Two mentor and understanding of the mentorship process
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- Able to command the attention of players at a casual event
Personal Skills
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- Ability to positively engage with players, judges, and TOs and create a welcoming environment
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- Ability to give rulings with confidence and without major stress or distress
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- Mature behavior consistent with the IJP values
Maintenance
Once a judge has achieved L1, judges complete annual maintenance to ensure our quality promise to Tournament Organizers and players.
To maintain the L1 certification, a judge must complete the following items each year:
1. Choose one —
- Pass the annual L1 refresh exam
- Pass three out of four set update quizzes throughout the year
2. Choose one —
- Act as a judge in at least three events
- Play in at least six events, and act as a judge in at least one event.
3. Maintain membership in the IJP by being up-to-date on their membership dues
Unsuccessful advancement
Cooldown: If a candidate fails the written exam. It can not be reattempted within the next 1 month.
Failing the Interview: if the candidate fails the Interview, they can not take the written test.
Reatempt limit: If the candidate fails the written test 3 or more times, any further reatempt must be approved by the L1 Testing Manager.
Regional Special Rules
Andaman SEA: The following judges are empowered to test Level 1 candidates: Sadabpong Choonpicharn, Thanat Damrongwatanapokin, Henoch Victor and Laksana Eka SP.
South China Sea: The following judges are empowered to test Level 1 candidates: Dominic Yu Ping Kun and Ace Herrera
South Korea: The following judges are empowered to test Level 1 candidates: Inhwan Kim and Soonkun Park.
German speaking countries:
Europe – East: The following judges are empowered to test Level 1 candidates: Alon Luski.
Iberia (Spain & Portugal): To begin the certification process, candidates must send an email to certificacion@juecesmagic.com. They will be assigned a mentor and will be assisted throughout the process.
Ireland. The following judges are empowered to test Level 1 candidates: Mark McGovern, Luke Dowling, Daniel Neville.
German-speaking countries. The following judges are empowered to test Level 1 candidates: Joachim T. Berger, Tristan Hof,Betim Kai Gecaj, Max Tideman, Julien Al-Rubei.
Level 2
An L1 Judge can consider looking towards Level Two if they want to begin judging at in-store competitive events.
