A Companion Guide for Junior Judge Candidates
Important Note
This article is intended as a companion guide to support candidates, JPG delegates, mentors and Full Judges undertaking assessments in understanding the Final Assessment process.
It does not replace, override or contradict the current GCCF Judge Training Programme document or the GCCF Judging Programme Governance and Administration document. Those documents remain the formal authority in all cases, you can find them here..
This guide explains the process in practical terms and aims to reduce common misunderstandings and unnecessary enquiries.
Before You Ask for a Final Assessment
A Final Assessment is not something to arrange casually or speculatively.
Before contacting a Full Judge, you should be confident that:
- All required criteria for your stage have been completed
- The required competency level in online assessments has been achieved
- Required presentations and tutorials have been completed
- You are comfortable handling, placing and justifying a mixed group of exhibits
- A suitable show is likely to have sufficient eligible exhibits
Completion of the required criteria makes you eligible to undertake a Final Assessment. It does not automatically mean that you are ready.
Candidates are strongly advised to allow time for the relevant JPG to consider their overall progression and, where appropriate, provide feedback before arranging an assessment. The training stage is designed for development, not simply the completion of minimum requirements.
Rushing to undertake Final Assessments immediately after finishing tutorials and presentations may lead to disappointment if further development is needed. Taking additional time for experience, reflection and tuition often strengthens confidence and performance.
Full Judges and Show Managers are not obliged to facilitate an assessment if the timing or circumstances are unsuitable.
A Final Assessment should be the natural next step in your development, undertaken when you are genuinely ready to demonstrate independent competence.
What Is a Final Assessment?
A Final Assessment is the formal stage at which a Junior Judge candidate demonstrates readiness to judge independently at the level for which they are training.
It is a structured assessment carried out under normal show conditions by an eligible Full Judge.
A successful Final Assessment demonstrates that you can:
- Examine exhibits safely and confidently
- Apply the Standard of Points correctly
- Place exhibits accurately within a class
- Recommend the appropriate level of award
- Justify your decisions clearly
It confirms that you are ready to move from supervised development to independent responsibility.
Arranging a Final Assessment
A Final Assessment must be undertaken with a Full Judge on the preferred list.
The Full Judge must:
- Be contracted to judge at the show
- Agree to undertake the assessment at least 48 hours prior to the event
Candidates must inform the Show Manager or Seminar Leader of their intention to undertake a Final Assessment and confirm that sufficient suitable exhibits will be available to meet the requirements of the Training Programme..
Every effort should be made to complete the assessment prior to the show opening to the public.
How Are Exhibits Selected?
Each Final Assessment must include:
- No fewer than 5 and no more than 8 eligible exhibits
- Adults, kittens and neuters where possible
- A spread that is not restricted to a single colour or pattern, where applicable within the breed or list
The Full Judge supplies the candidate with a list of exhibit numbers. The candidate must be provided with the date of birth or age, sex and breed number of each exhibit to be discussed and placed.
For Junior Judges, assessments are list-based. They are not single-breed assessments.
The purpose is to assess breadth of understanding across your approved list under realistic show conditions.
What Do You Do During the Assessment?
The process includes both written and verbal elements.
Written Work Before Discussion
Before the verbal assessment begins, you must:
- Prepare a short written critique of each exhibit (this is a concise assessment critique and is not expected to be as detailed as a formal submission to the JPG)
- Record the level of award you would give
- List the order of placement
These written critiques must be given to the Full Judge before discussion begins.
Verbal Assessment on the Day
During the assessment you must:
- Fully describe each exhibit
- State the level of award you would give
- Explain how and why you would place the exhibits within the class
Your explanation is verbal. You are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the Standard, balanced judgement and clear reasoning.
Constructive critical comment from the Full Judge should be expected. You may be questioned to clarify your decisions.
This is not intended to catch candidates out. It is designed to confirm safe handling, sound judgement and consistent application of the Standard.
Submission of Written Critiques
A neat copy of the full critiques must be supplied to the Full Judge within 7 days of the assessment.
The Full Judge will then:
- Complete the official Final Assessment Form
- Submit it to the relevant JPG
- Include your written critiques
- Do so within 4 weeks of the assessment
The candidate does not complete or submit the Final Assessment Form.
How Many Final Assessments Are Required?
Junior Judge candidates must complete:
- A minimum of two
- A maximum of three
Final Assessments must be undertaken with different Full Judges.
They may not be carried out on the same exhibits or with the same Full Judge as a Tutorial at the same show.
What Happens After the Assessments?
Once all required Final Assessments and other criteria are complete, you may apply for promotion in accordance with the Training Programme.
The JPG will consider:
- Completion of all required criteria
- Final Assessment report from Full Judge
- Written critiques
- All available information relevant to your application
Possible outcomes include:
- Acceptance and promotion to Full Judge
- Deferral pending further development
- Rejection
If an application is rejected, candidates have the right of appeal in accordance with the governance procedures.
Speciality (Single) Breed Judge Final Assessments
Key Differences
The sections above describe the process for Junior Judge candidates.
For candidates on the Speciality (Single) Breed Judge pathway, the structure of the Final Assessment is broadly similar, but the scope is different.
A Speciality Breed Judge Final Assessment is:
- Confined to a single breed
- Focused on depth of knowledge within that breed
- Designed to assess readiness to judge that breed independently
Although the assessment is breed-specific, the practical process remains comparable. Candidates are expected to:
- Prepare short written critiques prior to discussion
- Record their placings and recommended level of award
- Verbally describe and justify their decisions on the day
- Submit neat copies of their critiques within 7 days
The Full Judge completes and submits the Final Assessment Form in accordance with the Training Programme.
Candidates must ensure they are clear about which pathway they are following before arranging an assessment.s.
This guide is intended to clarify expectations and support consistent practice. Candidates should always refer to the current GCCF Judge Training Programme document and the Governance and Administration document for the formal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undertake a Final Assessment before completing all other criteria?
No. All required elements of your stage must be completed before a Final Assessment is undertaken.
Can I undertake a Junior Judge Final Assessment on only one breed within my list?
No. Junior Judge Final Assessments are list-based and are not single-breed assessments.
How many cats are required?
Between 5 and 8 eligible exhibits per assessment.
Do I need to prepare written critiques before the discussion?
Yes. Short critiques, award level and placings must be recorded and given to the Full Judge before the verbal assessment begins.
Is the explanation verbal or written?
Both. You prepare short written critiques in advance and must verbally describe and justify your decisions on the day.
Is the explanation verbal or written?
Both. You prepare written critiques in advance and must verbally describe and justify your decisions on the day.
When must I send my neat copy full critiques?
Within 7 days of the assessment.
Who submits the Final Assessment Form?
The Full Judge completes and submits the Final Assessment Form together with your critiques within 4 weeks.
Can I use the same Full Judge for both required Final Assessments?
No. They must be undertaken with different Full Judges.
