EXPLANATION OF THE JUDGES' SCORING IN 2018
Songs are scored between 1 and 10. Most songs in the contest (around 80 per cent) will not receive a score higher than 6. Songs are scored between 1 and 10. Most songs will receive a score between 4 and 6.
Semi finalists and finalists receive a score of 7, 8 or 9.
A low score of 1 or 2 indicates that the song was considered to be poorly written in comparison to other songs in the contest. It indicates that in the judges opinion the song needs either almost complete re writing or, in the case of a score of 1, abandoning.
A score of 3 indicates that the song follows accepted standards of song form and that the writer shows potential and some songwriting ability and talent. But the song is among the weakest songs in the contest and it will certainly benefit from re working and re writing.
A scores of 3 or below is a clear sign to look critically at your songwriting style and approach.
A score of 4 shows that the writer knows how to write a song and has talent but this particular song has some weaknesses that could be improved.
A score of 4, 5 or 6 indicates that the writer has demonstrated songwriting ability and understanding. The UKSC attracts a very high standard of entries and the majority of songs in the contest are usually somewhere in this range. Songs with a score of five and six are considered for Commended Entry and Higher Commended Entry Awards.
A score of 6.5 indicates that this song was a borderline semi finalist and was very carefully considered for the Semi Finals. Songs with a score of 6.5 receive a Special Mention Award.
Songs with a high score of 7 or 8 are awarded a Semi Finalist position and Semi Finalist Certificate and have been chosen by the judges as the top 20 per cent of songs in the contest. Only 20 per cent of songs reach the Semi Finals. A score of 8 indicates that the song was a borderline Finalist and was carefully considered for the Finals.
Songs with a score of 9 are finalists and these few very high scoring songs (the top 1 or 2 per cent of entries depending on the category) are considered for the winning positions in these categories. The winning song in each category is given a score of 10 at the end of the contest.
Songs are scored between 1 and 10. Most songs in the contest (around 80 per cent) will not receive a score higher than 6. Songs are scored between 1 and 10. Most songs will receive a score between 4 and 6.
Semi finalists and finalists receive a score of 7, 8 or 9.
A low score of 1 or 2 indicates that the song was considered to be poorly written in comparison to other songs in the contest. It indicates that in the judges opinion the song needs either almost complete re writing or, in the case of a score of 1, abandoning.
A score of 3 indicates that the song follows accepted standards of song form and that the writer shows potential and some songwriting ability and talent. But the song is among the weakest songs in the contest and it will certainly benefit from re working and re writing.
A scores of 3 or below is a clear sign to look critically at your songwriting style and approach.
A score of 4 shows that the writer knows how to write a song and has talent but this particular song has some weaknesses that could be improved.
A score of 4, 5 or 6 indicates that the writer has demonstrated songwriting ability and understanding. The UKSC attracts a very high standard of entries and the majority of songs in the contest are usually somewhere in this range. Songs with a score of five and six are considered for Commended Entry and Higher Commended Entry Awards.
A score of 6.5 indicates that this song was a borderline semi finalist and was very carefully considered for the Semi Finals. Songs with a score of 6.5 receive a Special Mention Award.
Songs with a high score of 7 or 8 are awarded a Semi Finalist position and Semi Finalist Certificate and have been chosen by the judges as the top 20 per cent of songs in the contest. Only 20 per cent of songs reach the Semi Finals. A score of 8 indicates that the song was a borderline Finalist and was carefully considered for the Finals.
Songs with a score of 9 are finalists and these few very high scoring songs (the top 1 or 2 per cent of entries depending on the category) are considered for the winning positions in these categories. The winning song in each category is given a score of 10 at the end of the contest.
EXPLANATION OF JUDGES' SCORES IN 2025
All songs receive a score of between 1 and 10. Most songs in the contest will receive a score of between 1 and 6. Very few songs receive a score of 7 or above.
SCORES OF 1 TO 3
A score of 1 or 2 indicates that the song was considered to be of a lower standard and less well written in comparison to other songs in the contest. It indicates that, in the judges opinion, the song needs either re writing or, in the case of a score of 1, possibly even abandoning.
A score of 3 indicates that the song follows accepted standards of song form and the writer shows songwriting ability and talent. A score of 3 shows that the writer has potential but this score is often a sign to look critically at your songwriting style and approach and to consider possibly rewriting parts of the song.
SCORES OF 4 TO 6
A score of 4, 5 or 6 indicates that the writer has clearly demonstrated good songwriting ability and understanding. The UKSC attracts a very high standard of entries, and the majority of songs in the contest are usually somewhere in this range. Songs with a score of four and five are considered for Commended Entry and Higher Commended Entry Awards.
A score of 4 or 5 shows that the writer certainly knows how to write a song and has genuine songwriting talent and ability and a good understanding of songwriting form and composition. It is likely that with some small changes and improvements this song could gain an even higher score.
A score of 6 indicates that this song was a borderline Semi Finalist and was very carefully considered for a Semi Finals position by the judging panels. To reflect this, songs with a score of 6 receive a Special Mention Award.
SCORES OF 7 AND ABOVE
Songs with a high score of 7 or 8 move into the Semi Finals and receive a Semi Finalist position and a Semi Finalist Certificate. These songs have been chosen by the judges as the top percentage of songs in the contest and all are considered for Finalist positions. In most years far less than 20 per cent of songs will reach this Semi Finalist stage. A score of 8 indicates that the song was a borderline Finalist and was very carefully considered by panels for a Finalist position and only very narrowly missed being selected.
Songs with a score of 9 are confirmed Finalists and these very high scoring songs are each very carefully considered by panels of judges for the winning position in their category. The winning song in each category is given a score of 10 at the end of the contest.
All songs receive a score of between 1 and 10. Most songs in the contest will receive a score of between 1 and 6. Very few songs receive a score of 7 or above.
SCORES OF 1 TO 3
A score of 1 or 2 indicates that the song was considered to be of a lower standard and less well written in comparison to other songs in the contest. It indicates that, in the judges opinion, the song needs either re writing or, in the case of a score of 1, possibly even abandoning.
A score of 3 indicates that the song follows accepted standards of song form and the writer shows songwriting ability and talent. A score of 3 shows that the writer has potential but this score is often a sign to look critically at your songwriting style and approach and to consider possibly rewriting parts of the song.
SCORES OF 4 TO 6
A score of 4, 5 or 6 indicates that the writer has clearly demonstrated good songwriting ability and understanding. The UKSC attracts a very high standard of entries, and the majority of songs in the contest are usually somewhere in this range. Songs with a score of four and five are considered for Commended Entry and Higher Commended Entry Awards.
A score of 4 or 5 shows that the writer certainly knows how to write a song and has genuine songwriting talent and ability and a good understanding of songwriting form and composition. It is likely that with some small changes and improvements this song could gain an even higher score.
A score of 6 indicates that this song was a borderline Semi Finalist and was very carefully considered for a Semi Finals position by the judging panels. To reflect this, songs with a score of 6 receive a Special Mention Award.
SCORES OF 7 AND ABOVE
Songs with a high score of 7 or 8 move into the Semi Finals and receive a Semi Finalist position and a Semi Finalist Certificate. These songs have been chosen by the judges as the top percentage of songs in the contest and all are considered for Finalist positions. In most years far less than 20 per cent of songs will reach this Semi Finalist stage. A score of 8 indicates that the song was a borderline Finalist and was very carefully considered by panels for a Finalist position and only very narrowly missed being selected.
Songs with a score of 9 are confirmed Finalists and these very high scoring songs are each very carefully considered by panels of judges for the winning position in their category. The winning song in each category is given a score of 10 at the end of the contest.