Hello all !!!
I normally wouldn't be posting anything at all about this event, since it's still 3 months away, however, I did notice that someone asked about whether or not the Level 2 Yu-Gi-Oh! rules knowledge test will offered at the SJC.
Since the SJCs are two day events, I'm fairly confident that I will have the time to administer the test on the 2nd day (which would be Sunday of that weekend).
There are two things I want to make sure people are aware of first before they start taking the test.
1) There are only so many hours in a day, and although I don't anticipate time being an issue, I will give Star City Games staff members priority when administering the test. Only when all the staff has had a chance to take it, then will I actually consider giving the test to non-staffers.
2) Althought the test is for Yu-Gi-Oh! rules knowledge only, I am requiring that all applicants undergo an interview process. That process will help me determine whether or not the applicant in question possesses the knowledge, maturity, devotion, humility and strength of character that should be expected in a Lvl 2 judge. The last time I administered the interview, Matt Villamaino was present as well, so please be prepared to answer questions from both of us.
Therefore, to clarify, if during the interview process, Matt or myself feels that the applicant is lacking in any of the aforementioned areas, then we will not let that person take the test.
I'm very sorry if I'm coming across as an autocratic and evil dictator when describing the interview process. I feel very strongly about this because I have some very serious concerns right now about judges who do possess the knowledge to pass, but are just taking the test for the wrong reasons (such as for status).
I have recently come back into the game after being gone for about 6 months, and although I'm pleased to see that the judge program is moving along in the right direction in terms of quality, there are some judges out there who have slipped through the cracks and have advanced in level. Advancing in level is all fine and dandy, but some of these judges either lack the floor experience, people skills, or integrity that players naturally expect of a Lvl 2 or Lvl 3 judge. This is the main reason why I am adamant about having an applicant undergo the interview process. The interview is not fool proof, but I feel it's a critical step in maintaing and improving upon the quality of the judge program.
Hmm, this was supposed to be a quick informative post, not an essay about my current concerns with the judging program.
In any case, I hope what I wrote was informative. As the date gets closer, I will be posting any relevant info on the boards here.
Thank you all for reading.
