The Student Judge stage is the entry point into judge training, and the usual first step on the multibreed pathway. It comes after qualifying as a GCCF Steward and is designed to prepare you for judging by building experience under supervision. You complete this stage once — it applies to you as a trainee judge, not to individual breeds or lists — so if you later add breeds or train in another group, you do not repeat it.
Looking for the official documents or forms? All Judge Training Programme documents and application forms are kept up to date on the Downloads page — always use those when applying or submitting paperwork, as they carry the official authority.
Is this stage right for you?
Consider applying if you already feel confident around your chosen breeds and want structured guidance rather than informal feedback. Most people at this stage are comfortable stewarding, used to observing judging decisions, and ready to begin writing short critiques and discussing placements with experienced judges. There is no need to rush — progression is based on your overall development and readiness, not speed.
Eligibility to apply
Breeder route
To apply via the breeder route you must:
- Be a qualified GCCF Steward.
- Have at least 3 consecutive years of regular exhibiting experience with a breed catered for by the JPG you are applying to.
- Have at least 2 years of breeding experience (from the date of your first registered litter) with a breed catered for by that group.
Neuter owner route
To apply via the neuter owner route you must:
- Be a qualified GCCF Steward.
- Have at least 4 consecutive years of regular exhibiting experience with at least one breed catered for by the JPG.
- Have owned and campaigned exhibits to at least Imperial level.
How to apply
Applying takes two steps:
- Send the JPG Payment Form to the GCCF Office and make your payment to the Office.
- Complete the Student Judge Application form and send it to your chosen JPG.
Once both steps are complete, acceptance as a Student Judge is administrative — it confirms your entry into the training programme but does not guarantee later promotion. There is no minimum time limit for completing this stage.
Forms you need
Serving as a Student Judge
As a Student Judge you may accept engagements to judge miscellaneous and club classes (covering adult, kitten and neuter where possible), but not breed kitten classes at this stage. Any such engagement should have no more than 30 exhibits, and no expenses can be claimed. This stage is about learning and development, not testing.
How the training works
Your training is built around a few kinds of activity. Here is what each involves in practice.
Parallel judging
You complete at least 5 parallel judging engagements, each on a different breed class (including at least one adult or neuter class), at different events and under 3 different Full Judges. You can parallel judge while stewarding for a Full Judge, or when engaged to judge miscellaneous or club classes — just approach the Full Judge and the Show Manager before show day. Submit written critiques on the exhibits you handle.
Teaching & Learning tutorials
You complete at least 5 tutorials, with short critiques, on the breeds catered for by your JPG (covering more than one breed is encouraged). A tutorial is an oral discussion of exhibits with an assessing Full Judge, at a show or a seminar — you only need to be present, but the Full Judge must be engaged to judge at that show.
Critiques
You submit short critiques on at least 10 exhibits covering the relevant breed(s). Critiques from your tutorials and parallel judging all count towards this total.
Veterinary and online assessments
You complete a successful veterinary assessment, and you must reach the pass level in the relevant online assessment (where available) before you can be promoted.
What you must complete before promotion
Before you can apply for promotion to Junior Judge, you must complete:
- 5 parallel judging engagements (different breeds and events, 3 different Full Judges, including at least one adult or neuter class).
- 5 Teaching & Learning tutorials with critiques.
- Short critiques on at least 10 exhibits.
- A successful veterinary assessment.
- Reach the pass level in the online assessment (where available).
Submitting your forms
All tutorial, critique and engagement forms must be submitted to your JPG Secretary within 28 days.
Promotion to Junior Judge
Once you have completed all the requirements and the JPG Secretary has verified them, promotion to Junior Judge is automatic — no discussion or vote is required. A fee is payable when you apply to become a Junior Judge. If any area needs strengthening you won’t simply be turned away: you’ll be offered support and guidance, and may be asked to submit further critiques (on at least 5 exhibits) and complete 3 further tutorials before reapplying. You also have a right of appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tell show managers I am available to judge miscellaneous classes?
Yes. You may let show managers know you are available, but you must not accept breed classes at this stage.
If I am judging miscellaneous classes, can I still exhibit?
No. If you are engaged to judge in the pedigree section, you cannot exhibit in the pedigree section at that show. You may still exhibit in the HHP section.
Do I need to steward for the judge I am doing parallel judging with?
No. You only need to be engaged at the show as a steward or as a judge of miscellaneous or club classes.
Can I do more than one parallel judging at the same show?
Yes. There is no formal limit, but many candidates find it more useful to spread these opportunities over time — typically no more than two at any one event — as this supports meaningful discussion and learning rather than rapid completion.
Can I do multiple parallel judging opportunities with the same Full Judge?
Yes. For progression purposes, only a limited number with the same Full Judge will normally be counted — but additional parallel judging remains valuable as a learning experience.
Do I need to be engaged at the show to do a tutorial?
No. You only need to be present at the show — but the Full Judge must be engaged to judge at that show.
Do critiques from tutorials and parallel judging count?
Yes. All submitted critiques contribute towards the minimum required total.
Can I show my cat while I am a Student Judge?
If you are engaged to judge at a show, you are acting as a judge for that show, so the same restrictions apply as to all judges: you cannot exhibit in the section in which you are judging, even if you are only judging miscellaneous or club classes. You may still exhibit in the HHP section, provided you are not judging in that section.
Your judge training journey — where you are:
