LEVEL 2
Description, Advancement, Maintenance and Skills
November 13th 2024: Clarified time limit for the written exams.
April 8 2024: Changed according to the April 2024 Level Adjustments.
Table of Contents
Description
Level Two (L2) Judges are commonly found at a local game store’s competitive events and regional competitive events in their region. A L2 judge knows the basics of competitive tournament policy and runs small in-store competitive tournaments on their own. L2s help to mentor other judges in their home store or local area to ensure that the local judge community continues to flourish. At in-store and medium size local competitive REL events, many L2s will be answering judge calls on the floor.
A key pillar for the International Judge Program is that we are Community-Driven. A L2 knows how they can find other members of the community to connect with and they are involved with their local communities. We expect a L2 candidate to have a L2+ mentor to help the candidate with various steps in the advancement 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.)
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 leveling process.
To read more about the philosophy and explanations for certain items in this document, please refer to the details article for Level 2.
Level 2 Testing Manager: QJ Wong L2TestingManager@InternationalJudgeProgram.org
Advancement
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.
2. Under the supervision of an L2+, work at least two Competitive REL events.
3. Receive a Recommendation Review (template) from an L2+, evaluating at minimum the following qualities and affirming that the candidate is ready for Level Two:
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- Technical performance at an event
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- Confidence in giving a ruling in a Competitive REL environment
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- Details of one policy related discussion from the event
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- Player engagement
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- An understanding of using Eventlink for Competitive REL events
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- Ability to perform a deck check
- Knowledge of how to run competitive limited events, including sealed deck and booster drafts.
4. Pass an interview and receive a Advancement Review from an L3+ Judge or a Regional Representative including at a minimum the following evaluated items:
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- Understanding of the responsibilities of a head judge at a local competitive REL Event
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- Understanding of the philosophy differences between penalties (Warning, Game Loss, etc)
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- Understanding of how to turn over a round
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- Ability to distinguish between Unsporting Conduct situations (USC-Major vs USC-Minor vs no penalty)
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- Reflecting on the advancement review they received together with the interviewer to help with the candidate’s self-evaluation.
5. Pass the L2 Exam (that has a 20 Rules questions and a 15 Policy questions) with a score of 75% or better. Time limit 2 hours. The exam is timed, proctored and open book (only CR; MTR; IPG and JAR).
Skills
As a certified Level Two Judge, a judge demonstrates the following proficiencies, in addition to the proficiencies of a Level One Judge:
Knowledge
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- Extensive knowledge of comprehensive rules topics as tested by the L2/L3 rules exam
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- Knowledge of the IPG and MTR as tested by the L2/L3 policy exam
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- Has the ability to discuss tournament policy
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- Has an understanding of the philosophical differences between penalties (Warning, Game Loss, etc)
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- Has the ability to distinguish between negative situations with players that result in no penalty, USC-Minor, and USC-Major.
Event Skills
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- Has experience judging competitive REL events
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- Is able to perform a deck check
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- Has an understanding of head judging in-store competitive events.
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- Is able to explain the steps needed to turn over a round
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- Has an understanding of handling unsporting conduct situations
Leadership Skills
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- Knows how to provide actionable feedback to a peer to improve their performance at future events
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- Knows how to explain the steps of judge certification and how to conduct a certification interview
Personal Skills
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- Is able to positively engage with players and create a welcoming environment, even in a competitive setting
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- Is able to assess penalties with confidence and without major stress or distress
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- Has the ability to recognize and handle minor Unsporting Conduct situations.
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- Has the ability to recognize and reflect on their own strengths and areas for improvement
Maintenance
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:
1. Choose one —
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Pass the annual L2/L3 rules refresh exam
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Pass three out of four set update quizzes throughout the year
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2. Pass the annual L2/L3 policy refresh exam
3. Choose one —
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- Work at least two competitive events
- Work at least six events
4. Stay involved and engaged with the local judge community.
5. 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 3 months.
Failing the Interview: if the candidate fails the Interview, they can not take the written test.
Recommendation: is valid for 12 months since it is written. After that time they need to be updated and resubmitted and they will be valid for another 12 months.
Reatempt limit: If the candidate fails the written test 3 or more times, any further reatempt must be approved by the L2 Testing Manager.
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.
Regional Special Rules
There are no regional special rules for level 2 in Asia at the moment.
German-speaking countries: if you’re looking to test for L2 but don’t have a L3 near you, please contact your TRA Philip Ockelmann and we’ll find a solution.
Iberia (Spain & Portugal): To begin the L2 certification process, candidates must send an email to certificacion@juecesmagic.com. They will be assigned a mentor and will be assisted throughout the process.
There are no regional special rules for level 2 in Latin America at the moment.
