Judges Training Options

Both General and Problem-Specific training are important components of the judge qualifications. Please read carefully the expectations for all judges. 

General Training is now online, it can be taken any time from a computer or tablet. Please enable javascript in your browser. You must first register for a regional tournament, and you will receive the links for online training that you must take before your Group specific training session.

Problem-Specific training is sometimes offered on-site before the tournament or it is offered via video-conferencing. It varies by Region.

By Region:

Houston (“HARO”) offers the main training on-site for General and Problem-Specific training. There will also be a make-up session via video conference, with limited scope (not all problems will be available in the make-up session.

Central TX Region offers Problem-Specific training on-site the morning of the regional competition.
North Region (Dallas greater area) offers on-site General and Problem-Specific training on the evening before/ or the morning of the competition.

Review dates of Judges training for your Region for February and March 2025. Judge training is only provided before Regionals. All judges must be trained and serve at Regionals, before they can participate at the State level.

General Training (on-Site)

The Houston Area region will incorporate the General Training within the full training session on-site. No advance training is necessary, unless you plan to attend the virtual make-up session (see next section below).

  1. Judges General Training

    This is a 25 minute presentation that explains the program, the problems and the role of the judges.
    WHO? Required for new judges. Returning judges are exempt but they must still register as needed for problem distribution.

  2. General Training Certification Test

    There will be a walk-through of the general certification test which consists of likely scenarios that you may encounter as judges. Answers are provided at the end. You will get a printed copy of the test question and answers. We recommend you re-take it 2 days before each competition as a refresher.
    WHO? Required for new and returning judges. Be careful to select the link that pertain to your region so that the Directors can track attendance properly.

  3. GT Presentation

    This is an additional 10 minute live presentation explaining the cross-over between the Gifted and Talented program and Odyssey of the Mind.
    WHO? Required for educators who wish to get a certificate for 6 hours GT credit.

General Training (online)

We offer three components online to registered judges. These apply to all Texas Regions as well as the TX State tournament. You must complete all required online training at least 3 days before your on-site Judges’ Training:

  1. Judges General Training

    This is a 25 minute webcast that explains the program, the problems and the role of the judges.
    WHO? Required for new judges. Returning judges are exempt.

  2. General Training Certification Test

    This is an on-line test with 20 sample scenarios. Answers are provided at the end. You may re-take the test multiple times. We recommend you re-take it 2 days before each competition as a refresher.
    WHO? Required for new and returning judges. Be careful to select the link that pertain to your region so that the Directors can track attendance properly.

  3. GT Presentation

    This is an additional 10 minute webcast explaining the cross-over between the Gifted and Talented program and Odyssey of the Mind.
    WHO? Required for educators who wish to get a certificate for 6 hours GT credit.

Problem-Specific Training (on-site or via video-conference)

Each Region offers Problem-Specific training (either on-site or via video-conference) conducted by the Problem Captains before the regional tournaments. ALL judges must register for tournament and attend the problem/group specific Judges’ Training, even returning judges.

Typically judges are assigned to a judging group (a specific problem, score room, spontaneous, etc.) and then they split up for specific training. This is sometimes done on the spot for on-site training, or ahead of time.

After judges are trained, they cannot be replaced, or change groups and, if attending the State tournament, must judge in the same problem/group as regionals.

Check our site calendar for specific Judge Training events in your region. Judge training is only provided before Regionals. All judges must be trained and serve at Regionals, before they can particiapte at the State level.