Become a VHD Judge

Become a VHD Judge

We welcome both experienced and new judges for Virginia History Day. Learn more about how to be a VHD judge below.

Become a VHD Judge

Judge Qualifications

No qualifications are required to judge a History Day event. However, judges should possess an interest in history and be comfortable interacting with students. The VMHC will provide a training session about judging expectations and how to review student projects. Judging involves evaluating projects with a critical eye, making decisions, and offering students constructive feedback on their work.  Judging teams will consist of a mix of experienced and first-time judges.

Time Commitment

At both the District and State level, a judging session typically requires a minimum of 6 hours. This includes an orientation followed by examination of student work, interviews with students, and determination of top entries. Judges who review Historical Paper and Website entries have a slightly different schedule with a similar time commitment. As a judge, we’ll invite you to participate in or view a few webinars before the competition, but these aren’t required.

During the Virginia History Day Competition

​The basic task of judges is to evaluate the students’ entries and provide both the positive and the constructive feedback that is essential to the learning process. Judges begin the day of VHD with an orientation where they review the day’s timeline, learn how to use the National History Day scoring sheets, discuss consensus judging, and meet their fellow judges and judge captains.  There will also be time for questions and answers.  Judging teams will consist of two or three members, with a mix of experienced and novice judges.  Judges evaluate the student entries in 10 to 15 minute intervals, with time to interview the student(s) about their project.  Judges fill out the score sheets and come to consensus on the winning entries. You are welcome, but not required, to stay for the Awards Ceremony.

Questions asked during the judging process should give students the opportunity to talk about what they learned while creating their project. The Contest is the students' day to shine! Questions about their research process, sources used, inspirations for the topic, and what they liked about the project are all appropriate questions.

Become a VHD Judge