• Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How Do I Become a Judge? Pass an Online Exam, then pass the corresponding Tasting exam.
    2. What If I'm Already in the BJCP? The rules are different. It depends on your current rank and exam scores. Read this document for the details.
    3. How Do I Register for a Beer Tasting Exam? Look at the Exam Calendar, find an exam location, contact the Exam Administrator. Some exams are over-subscribed; you may be placed on a waiting list. Do not wait until the last minute to register.
    4. How Do I Register for a Beer Written or Mead Judging Exam? The same way, except these exams are rarely over-subscribed. They are held less frequently, though.
    5. How Do I Become a Grader? Be a National or higher ranked judge. Volunteer by contacting the Exam Directors.

  • Overview

    The BJCP Beer Judge Exam process is how a beer enthusiast becomes a beer judge in the BJCP. It covers:

    • Technical aspects of brewing, ingredients, brewing process and possible faults.
    • World beer styles, including characteristics, history, ingredients and brewing techniques.
    • The purpose of the BJCP and the criteria for the judging ranks.
    • Judging procedures and ethics.

    The BJCP Beer Judge Exam program consists of three exams:

    • The BJCP Beer Judge Entrance Examination, an online examination to screen prospective candidates.
    • The BJCP Beer Judging Examination, a practical tasting examination of six beers.
    • The BJCP Beer Judge Written Proficiency Examination, a quarterly written examination consisting of 20 True-False and five essay questions used to test skills and knowledge necessary for higher ranks.

    Please review the full details of the exam program.

  • The Online Beer Entrance Exam

    You can take the entrance exam at any time; no advance registration is required. The cost is US$10. It consists of 180 questions, and must be answered in one hour. The exam can be taken once a day until it is passed. More details.

    Register and take the online exam at http://bjcp.coursewebs.com. Do not take this exam without studying; you will be wasting your money. Please read the Entrance Exam Details document, the BJCP Beer Exam Study Guide, the BJCP Judge Procedures Manual, and the BJCP Style Guidelines first.

    Please note that the entire question pool is copyrighted by the BJCP. The questions are not allowed to be published or copied without the express written consent of the BJCP. BJCP members violating this copyright may be sanctioned.

  • Currently Scheduled Exams

    If you're interested in taking any of the exams at a listed site, use the contact information 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. If you are taking a judging (tasting) exam, be prepared to show your certificate from the online examination or your BJCP membership card.

    Exam seats are limited. Do not sign up for more than one tasting exam! See our policy on simultaneous exams.

  • Studying for the Beer Judge Exam

    • Beer Exam Study Guide, revised for the 2015 Style Guidelines, the study guide contains the necessary information needed to pass the exam. The questions given on the written exam are also included. The question pool for the online exam is not published. – PDF Last updated: 19 February 2018.

    • Exam Program Description, a detailed description of the BJCP Exam Program, previously part of the BJCP Study Guide – PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.

    • Judge Procedures Manual  Important information that will help you prepare for the exam as well as when you judge at competitions.

    • 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. Some references are dated, but the general content is sound.

    • Mastering the BJCP Exam  (PDF) Presentation given at the 2003 Chicago AHA NHC by Gordon Strong, revised in 2012 for the new exam format by Scott Bickham.

    • 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.

    • Membership Guide  Reference material for new judges.

  • What about the Mead Judge Exam?

  • Information and resources on the Mead Judge Exam can be found on the Mead Resources page. A mead-specific Study Guide is available. The mead judge exam is scheduled, administered, and graded in the same way as the beer judge exam.

  • What about the Cider Judge Exam?

  • Information and resources on the Cider Judge Exam can be found on the Cider Resources page. A cider-specific Study Guide is available. The cider judge exam is scheduled, administered, and graded in the same way as the beer judge exam.

  • Exam Administrator Resources

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

    • Exam Administrator Guidelines  Best practices and general guidance for organizing and running a BJCP examination, based on lessons learned from actual BJCP exams.

    • Off-flavor Kits  (Exam administrators only). Information on how to order a Siebel off-flavor kit at a subsidized price for your exam preparation class. Order using the ordering application.

    • Exam Data Administration Form (EDAF) used to schedule an exam (PDF or Word)

    • Exam Results (Exam results for an entire exam site – Exam Directors only) XLS

    • Copyright release, may be required by some commercial copy businesses when you try to make copies of the forms.

  • Exam Forms Paperwork needed by exam administrators, grouped by exam type

    • Beer Judging Exams

      • FORM WHO EDITABLE FORMAT PRINTABLE FORMAT
      Exam Admin Cover Letter – exam transmittal letter template Administrator Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Procedures – detailed instruction on how to give the exam Administrator Word Last updated: 02 February 2017. PDF Last updated: 02 February 2017.
      Pre-approved beer proctors – all others require prior approval from the Exam Director Administrator Proctor List
      Proctor Instructions – what the proctors do during the exam Proctors Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Proctor Scoresheet – scoresheet for proctors Proctors Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Proctor Consensus – for recording the proctors' summary Proctors Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Examinee Scoresheets – special scoresheet for examinees Examinee Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Beer Descriptions – for reporting the details of the beers that were used during the exam Administrator Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Instructions – instructions for the examinees Examinee Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Examinee Data Capture – participant info for an entire exam site Administrator XLS Last updated: 21 August 2014.
      Staff Data – Staff information for an entire exam site Administrator XLS Last updated: 16 September 2013.
      Exam Payment – exam administrators use PayPal to submit the payment for an entire exam site Administrator Exam Payment

    • Beer Written Proficiency Exams

      • FORM WHO EDITABLE FORMAT PRINTABLE FORMAT
      Exam Admin Cover Letter – exam transmittal letter template Administrator Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Admin Cover Letter – exam transmittal letter, a special version used just for the quaterly exams Administrator Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Procedures – detailed instruction on how to give the exam Administrator Word Last updated: 02 February 2017. PDF Last updated: 02 February 2017.
      Written Exam Blank Sheets – optional, used by the examinees Examinee Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Instructions – instructions for the examinees Examinee Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Examinee Data Capture – participant info for an entire exam site Administrator XLS Last updated: 21 August 2014.
      Staff Data – Staff information for an entire exam site Administrator XLS Last updated: 16 September 2013.
      Exam Payment – exam administrators use PayPal to submit the payment for an entire exam site Administrator Exam Payment

    • Mead Judging Exams

      • FORM WHO EDITABLE FORMAT PRINTABLE FORMAT
      Exam Admin Cover Letter – exam transmittal letter template Administrator Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Procedures – detailed instruction on how to give the exam Administrator Word Last updated: 02 February 2017. PDF Last updated: 02 February 2017.
      Pre-approved mead proctors – all others require prior approval from the Exam Director Administrator Proctor List
      Proctor Instructions – what the proctors do during the exam Proctors Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Proctor Scoresheet – scoresheet for proctors Proctors Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Proctor Consensus – for recording the proctors summary Proctors Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Examinee Scoresheets – special scoresheet for eaminees Examinee Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Mead Descriptions – for reporting the details of the meads that were used during the exam Administrator Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Exam Instructions – instructions for the examinees Examinee Word Last updated: 21 December 2016. PDF Last updated: 21 December 2016.
      Examinee Data Capture – participant info for an entire exam site Administrator XLS Last updated: 21 August 2014.
      Staff Data – Staff information for an entire exam site Administrator XLS Last updated: 16 September 2013.
      Exam Payment – exam administrators use PayPal to submit the payment for an entire exam site Administrator Exam Payment

  • Exam Grader Resources

    • Exam Scoring Guide used by exam graders

    • BJCP Scoresheet Guide, a grading rubric for BJCP judging exams, and training information for producing quality scoresheets.

    • Sample Perception Rubric Matrix spreadsheet, a sample perception matric mentioned in the BJCP Scoresheet Guide (above) – XLS Last updated: 21 December 2016.

    • Exam Grading Process  Detailed information about the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of all exam graders and reviewers, including a detailed process flow and timeline.

    • Exam Grader Policy  The policy for selecting and managing exam graders.

    • Advice, recommendations and best practices for lead graders – PDF Last updated: 09 September 2008.

    • Advice, recommendations and best practices for creating and grading quality beer scoresheets – Word Last updated: 05 December 2011.

    • Expense Reimbursement Worksheet  Spreadsheet used by program members to request expense reimbursement.

    FORMS, TEMPLATES, and TOOLS LOCATION
    Beer Judging Exam Report To Participant (RTP) – blank RTP form in checkbox style Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Beer Judging Exam Rport To Participant (RTP) – blank RTP, short format with no checkboxes Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Beer Written Proficiency Exam Report To Participant (RTP) – blank RTP Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Mead Judging Exam Report To Participant (RTP) – blank RTP form in checkbox style Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Mead Judging Exam Rport To Participant (RTP) – blank RTP, short format with no checkboxes Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Beer Judging Exam Grading Form (EGF) – spreadsheet used by graders for recording individual scores on the judging exam (Excel format) XLS Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Beer Judging Exam Grading Form (EGF) – short-form spreadsheet used by graders for recording individual scores on the judging exam (Excel format) XLS Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Beer Written Proficiency Exam Grading Form (EGF) – spreadsheet used by graders for recording individual scores on the written exam; now formatted to allow cutting and pasting directly into RTPs (Excel format) XLS Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Mead Judging Exam Grading Form (EGF) – spreadsheet used by graders for recording individual scores on the mead exam (Excel format) XLS Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Template for the cover letter sent to graders of the Beer Judging Exam Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Template for the cover letter sent to graders of the Beer Written Proficiency Exam Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.
    Template for the cover letter sent to graders of the Mead Judging Exam Word Last updated: 21 December 2016.

  • 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.