ModelCalcs.uk
Competition Score Calculator — IPMS-Style Judging
Score your model against common IPMS-style competition judging criteria to see where you stand.
How We Calculate This
Scores your model across 7 weighted criteria, then converts to a percentage of the weighted maximum and assigns a medal grade. This is a heuristic IPMS-style aid, not an official scoresheet: IPMS(UK) and IPMS/USA judge by qualitative elimination (basics first — construction, then finish, then weathering, with accuracy as a tie-breaker) rather than additive points. The numeric weighting here mirrors the only major points-based system, AMPS, which scores Construction highest, Finish and Weathering next, and Degree of Difficulty lowest.
Default Criteria Weights
These are the defaults — every weight is adjustable in Advanced Options, and the breakdown above shows the weights actually applied.
- Construction: ×1.2 — Seams, gaps, alignment, fit
- Surface Finish: ×1.3 — Smoothness, prep quality
- Painting: ×1.3 — Coverage, blending, technique
- Detailing: ×1.0 — Added details, scratch-building
- Accuracy: ×0.8 — Reference adherence, markings
- Presentation: ×0.7 — Display, base, labelling
- Difficulty: ×0.7 — Complexity of subject and scale
Grade bands (default): Gold 90%+, Silver 80–89%, Bronze 70–79%, Commended 60–69%, below 60% is Participant. All four thresholds are configurable in Advanced Options; tiers are auto-clamped so Gold > Silver > Bronze > Commended always holds.
Frequently Asked Questions
IPMS judges typically assess construction quality (seam lines, gaps, alignment), surface finish (smoothness, absence of defects), painting (coverage, blending, weathering), detailing (added detail, accuracy), and overall presentation. Criteria vary by chapter and competition.
In this calculator, 90%+ earns Gold, 80-89% Silver, 70-79% Bronze, and 60-69% Commended. Real competitions vary, but these thresholds reflect typical UK model show standards.
Construction and finish are weighted higher because they form the foundation of a good model. A perfectly painted model with poor construction will score lower than a well-constructed model with good (not perfect) paint. Most judges agree that you cannot paint your way out of poor construction.
Focus on eliminating basic errors first: fill all seams, remove mould lines, ensure correct alignment. Then work on paint consistency and thin coats. Weathering and detailing are the final steps. Join a local IPMS club for constructive feedback.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.