Here is the wording from the 2022 KCBS Judge Certification Update Program (JCUP) for Continuing Education. The complete document is
HERE.
JCUP Outline and Implementation steps
Step 1 - Eliminate the use of the scoring numbers 3 and 4. Research has validated that these numbers are used so little that they are simply not needed. Data from 2014 to 2020 was pulled and an initial analysis shows the combined total of 3’s and 4’s never exceeded .0025 (.25%) of all individual scores given in a single year. This narrows the "band" of usable numbers to 9 thru 5 and provides a center of the scale to be a 7.
Step 2 - The new scoring system will read: The scoring system is from 9 to 5 and 2; all whole numbers from nine (9) and five (5) and the number two (2) may be used to score an entry. 9 is Excellent, 8 is Very Good , 7 is Good, 6 is Fair , 5 is Poor, and 2 is inedible.
A score of a 1 - penalty or disqualification - can only be given with a Contest Rep's concurrence and is a disqualification.
Step 3 - As part of the Judge Certification Update Program, we may consider using the Academic system of grading (A, B, C, etc.), as a teaching tool or analogy and as a means of how we intend judges to use the new 9 thru 5 scale.
9 - Excellent
8 - Very Good
7 - Good
6 - Fair
5 - Poor
2 - Inedible (e.g., raw chicken)
1 – Disqualification or Penalty (requires Rep approval)
Step 4 – The CBJ committee is urging removal of the word "Average" all together because it seems no one can agree on what average is and it also alludes to comparative scoring.