Normalized Scoring System (NSS)

Overview

The Normalized Scoring System (NSS) was originally designed for fiddle competitions but can be used for any judged contest. Its purpose is simple:

to keep scoring consistent and eliminate point spread bias, ensuring that every judge’s score carries equal weight in the final results.

Goal of the System

The primary goal of any competition is fairness.

Selecting qualified judges is critical. Judges must understand the performance style being evaluated and be able to compare performances objectively using the competition’s criteria.

Being a great performer does not automatically make someone a good judge. Likewise, many highly respected judges may not be top competitors themselves, yet they excel at listening, comparing, and scoring performances consistently.

One of the biggest challenges in judging is consistency — across different rounds, divisions, and categories. This is also where many judging systems fall short. NSS is designed to support judges by reducing inconsistency and ensuring fair results across the entire event.

Why the System Exists

Traditional scoring methods rely on paper forms, calculators, and manual spreadsheets, all of which increase the risk of delays and calculation errors.

NSS replaces those processes with real-time scoring and automated calculations. 

Competition organizers can:

• Publish or withhold scores

• Hide or show judge names

• Review detailed scoring data after the event

The results are tracked as you go; as soon as the last scores are entered you can have results printed out and ready to announce them in about 60 seconds! 

NSS also creates a permanent scoring record, providing insight into judge consistency and overall contest quality.

The result is a faster, more accurate, and more efficient competition, allowing events to stay on schedule while producing fair, reliable outcomes.

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Competition Scoring Issues