By ensuring that all competitions are run in exactly the same way and marked to the same standards, it is possible to accurately compare competition results with those of other competitors around the world over the past 30 years of the sport.

Arbiters are appointed by the WMSC , the Guild of Mental Sports Arbiters.

The current list of Qualified and licensed arbiters is shown below. If you believe your name should be on the list and has been missed, please contact Global Chief Arbiter Dominic O’Brien by his mail: memorydom@aol.com or Buzan Asia by his mail: buzanasia@163.com.

Please visit the official Asia Pacific Memory Sports Council website for more detailed information on level one qualified arbiters

The Arbiters’ Pledge

By registering to volunteer at a WMSC endorsed competition, Arbiters agree to act in accordance with the Arbiters’ Pledge;

– As an Official Arbiter, I pledge to act at all times as an Ambassador for the Mind Sport of Memory. I pledge that all my decisions will be unbiased, fair and balanced, and that I will treat all competitors equally without discrimination. I commit to act honourably, and to promote the benefits of becoming a Mental Athlete.

I pledge to uphold the principles of fair play and transparency in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Sport of Memory and in the spirit of the Magna Memoria.

Dendritae Jubilent!

The Role of the Arbiter

Arbiter: An independent person having the power of judging and determining the results of a tournament.

The World Memory Sports Council accredits Official Memory Sports Arbiters at four levels. Arbiter status is at the sole discretion of WMSC and may be rescinded at any time on grounds of misconduct or bringing the Sport of Memory into disrepute. Appeals against such judgements may be made in writing to the WMSC Ethics Committee.

All Arbiter levels are time limited and reviewed prior to renewal on expiry.

Level One Arbiters 

(Duration 2 years)

In order to qualify as a Level One Arbiter, candidates must have attended a training session conducted by the Chief Arbiter or a Level Four Arbiter. 

Following the training, they must pass a test consisting of sample answer sheets that must be marked and scored. The candidate passes if the score stated is the same as the official score from the competition for which the papers were taken, with a minimum of 90% accuracy.

The final stage of accreditation is to mark and score papers in a WMSC approved competition, supervised by a Level Two Arbiter or above.

Once a satisfactory standard is reached, the Level One Arbiter is admitted to the Guild of Mind Sport Arbiters and is awarded an appropriate certificate. This entitles the Arbiter to mark and score papers at any WMSC approved competition under supervision of a Level Two Arbiter or above

Level Two Arbiters

(Duration 3 years)

Level Two Arbiters may apply to set up National Memory Sports Councils in countries where these do not exist or work with an existing Council. Furthermore, a Level Two Arbiter is able to act as sole WMSC representative at any approved National or International Championship. 

Level Two Arbiters are highly qualified people who represent the WMSC. Therefore, high standards have to be applied regarding personal requirements, nomination procedure, competencies and regular obligatory participation at WMSC approved championships.

Level One Arbiters who wish to progress to Level Two must present a portfolio of achievement to be considered by the Council. This must include a mix of the following elements: 

• Certificate of appreciation for working as an Arbiter at a National level championship. This must be accompanied by positive evaluation by the supervising Level Two or above Arbiter. [5 points per tournament] 
• Certificate of appreciation for working as an Arbiter at an International level championship. This must be accompanied by positive evaluation by the supervising Level Two or above Arbiter. [10 points per tournament]

• Certificate of appreciation for working as an Arbiter at The World Memory Championships. This must be accompanied by positive evaluation by the supervising Level Four or Chief Arbiter. [15 points per WMC]
• Evidence of media engagement in the form of Editorial, Interviews or Articles on the Mind Sport of Memory in Print media, Online, Radio or Television. [5 points per feature]
•  A written recommendation by a nominee Arbiter.

To qualify as a Level Two Arbiter, the candidate must Achieve a score of at least 100 points over a two-year period. (GOMSA will consult the relevant memory sports council and competition organisers to ratify points allocation) In addition, candidates must have both supervised the team marking papers and worked ‘front of house’, making timekeeping announcements, organising the efficient collection and distribution of papers and closely observing competitors for any unethical conduct. 

Candidates must be fluent in the main language(s) used by the majority of the competitors in the championships at which they wish to work.

Arbiters involved in marking should share a common language, often, though not exclusively English. In cases where this is not possible interpreters will be made available.

Once a satisfactory standard is reached, the Level Two Arbiter is awarded an appropriate certificate. 

Level Two Arbiters commit themselves to serve the memory sports community as arbiters at a minimum of two WMSC approved national or international championships per year as well as at the annual World Memory Championships (WMC).

Level Three Arbiters

(Duration 4 years)

Level Three Arbiter status is awarded to individuals with exceptional qualities and experience at an international level in the sport.

Level Three Arbiters may: 

• Apply to set up National Memory Sports Councils in countries where these do not exist or work with an existing Council. 
• Represent GOMSA at non-standard record attempts conducted outside of a tournament. For example, “Pi-Matrix recall” or “Multiple Inter-shuffled Decks of cards with Single Sighting”.

Level Two Arbiters who wish to progress to Level Three must present a portfolio of achievement to be considered by the Council. This must include a mix of the following elements: 

• Evidence of organising a WMSC Approved, World Ranking tournament in a country currently with no Sports Council. [15 points per tournament]
• A published book promoting the Mind Sport of Memory written by the candidate. [20 points per book]
• Certificate of appreciation for working as a Senior Supervising Arbiter at The World Memory Championships. This must be accompanied by positive evaluation by the supervising Level Four or Chief Arbiter. [15 points per WMC]
• Evidence of media engagement in the form of Editorial, Interviews or Articles on the World Memory Championships in Print media, Online, Radio or Television. [5 points per feature]
• A sponsorship deal (monitory or in kind) including provision of a free venue for a National Championships, International Championships or WMC. [10 points per sponsor]
•  A written recommendation by a nominee Arbiter.

To qualify as a Level Three Arbiter, the candidate must Achieve a score of at least 200 points over a three-year period. (GOMSA will consult the relevant memory sports council and competition organisers to ratify points allocation) Once a satisfactory standard is reached, the Level Three Arbiter is awarded an appropriate certificate. 

Level Four Arbiters

(Duration 5 years)

Level Four Arbiters form the top level of the Arbiting Community of the WMSC and have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to Mind Sports over an extended period.

To be awarded Level Four status the candidate must have acted as Deputy Chief Arbiter at the World Memory Championships working under the Chief Arbiter and taken a leading role in the management and preparations for the tournament.

Ethical Conduct

GOMSA and the WMSC entrust their good reputation to arbiters. Any betrayal of such trust may result in demotion, censure or in extreme cases expulsion from the guild.

Arbiters may not seek to damage the WMSC by setting up or supporting rival memory associations. They must not participate at non-approved tournaments or other events. 

The guild will not tolerate discrimination of any kind including on the basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability.