Interim Study Guide - BJCP

D. The BJCP ExamOverviewThe BJCP exam is closed book and consists of an essay portion worth 70 percent and a tasting portion worth30 percent of the total score. On the essay portion, there are two sections to the exam. The first section testfamiliarity with the BJCP and the judging process. Section one, part one asks about the BJCP and comprisesfive percent of the total essay score. Section one, part two consists of 15 true/false questions about judgingand comprises five percent of the total essay score. On the second section, there are five questions coveringbeer styles and four questions covering brewing techniques, with the latter focusing on the relationship ofingredients and the brewing process to flavors in the finished beer. The style questions typically ask fordescriptions and comparisons of related beer styles, including information on the historical development,ingredients, style parameters, commercial examples and the brewing process. On every exam, the fifth stylequestion will ask for a scoresheet to be completed as if you were presented with a classic example of a style ina competition. Section two comprises 90 percent of the total essay score with each of the nine questionsrepresenting 10 percent. See the following two sections of this document for a list of the BJCP examquestions and an example of an answer with enough content and depth to receive a very high mark.The exam is criteria-based, so if the essay questions are not answered correctly or do not contain enoughinformation (a good rule of thumb is one page per answer), then it will be difficult to get a passing score onthe written portion. Similarly, if the descriptions and feedback on the beer scoresheets are weak, it will bedifficult to pass the tasting portion. The recommended materials should therefore be read before the studysessions and reviewed along with the BJCP Study Guide before the exam. The style categories in thequestions below are based on the BJCP Guidelines, which are also used by the AHA for its nationalhomebrew competition.The tasting portion of the BJCP exam requires the judging of four beers as if one were at a competition, withthe scoresheets evaluated on the basis on scoring accuracy, perception, descriptive ability, feedback andcompleteness. Grading is done by volunteer National and Master judges, with their scores and feedbackreviewed by both an associate exam director and an exam director. These reviews ensure that the scores fromdifferent exams and graders are consistent between different exams and with the criteria expected for thedifferent judging levels.The following is from the instructions to the BJCP exam. It clearly states what a complete answer to thetypical exam question should contain.For a passing score, beer style descriptions must include the aroma, appearance, flavor,and mouthfeel descriptions as in the BJCP Style Guidelines. If time permits, formaximum credit, a more complete answer should consider the history of the style,geography, commercial examples, style parameters, unique ingredients, and fermentationtechniques and conditions. When a question asks for a classic commercial example of astyle the correct answer is one of the styles listed in the BJCP Style Guidelines.Although we have never had a real problem in this regard, it is BJCP policy to protect the integrity of theBJCP exam. Modern electronic devices make it too difficult for an exam administrator to be certain peoplearen't cheating, so exam instructions now include the following:Use of the following electronic devices are not allowed during the exam:19