Everything you need to run a perfectly scored pageant
Get these things ready before you start setting up in PageantScore.
If you use JotForm, Google Forms, or any registration system, export your contestants as a CSV file. PageantScore can import directly from a spreadsheet — no retyping needed.
If you want different judges for different divisions (e.g., separate panels for Teen and Miss), plan this before setup. You can assign each judge to specific divisions in PageantScore.
PageantScore walks you through a 7-step wizard. Here's what each step involves.
Enter your event name, date, venue, and pick a brand color. The brand color appears on judge screens and score report emails.
Pick from a template (Standard, Teen & Up, Youth Only, Simple 3-Division) or create custom divisions. You can always add, remove, or rename divisions later.
Set up your categories with weights. Use a template (Standard Beauty, Natural, Talent) or build from scratch. Required category weights should add up to 100%. Optional categories (like Photogenic) have a weight of 0 and are scored separately.
Choose whether to drop highest/lowest scores, your tie-breaking method, scoring format (average or sum), and how many placements to award per division.
Add contestants manually, use Quick Add for day-of arrivals, or import from a CSV file. Each contestant needs a name and division at minimum. Email is needed for score reports.
Add your judges by name. Each judge gets a unique link they open on their phone — no app download, no account needed. You can assign judges to specific divisions here. Also find your tabulator and emcee links.
After scoring is complete, lock divisions, assign titles and special awards, preview score reports, and send them to contestants.
Your CSV needs a header row. PageantScore auto-detects columns named things like "Name", "Division", "Email", "Number", and "Optionals".
Name,Division,Email,Number,Optionals Sarah Johnson,Teen Miss,parent@email.com,101,"Photogenic, Talent" Emma Wilson,Miss,emma@email.com,102,Photogenic Olivia Brown,Mrs,olivia@email.com,,
Division names must match your PageantScore division names exactly. "Teen Miss" and "Teen" are different.
Optional competitions: List the optional categories each contestant is entered in, separated by commas. Names must match your category names exactly. Leave blank if not entered in any.
Numbers: If the Number column is empty or missing, numbers are auto-assigned.
Photos: If your CSV has columns with photo URLs (from JotForm, Google Forms file uploads, etc.), PageantScore will auto-download them. You can also upload photos manually by clicking any contestant after import.
Here's how to run a smooth event with PageantScore.
PageantScore saves each score individually, so even a brief connection works. However, judges need an internet connection to score. If your venue Wi-Fi is unreliable, ask judges to use their phone's cellular data instead. Have paper backup scoresheets ready just in case.
Text or email each judge their unique link. They tap it, see a welcome screen with their name, and hit "Start Scoring." No app to download, no account to create.
Open the tabulator link on a laptop and assign it to someone you trust. They can monitor scoring progress, lock divisions when judges are done, and assign titles — so you can stay focused on running the show. The tabulator sees everything the director sees on the Results tab, without needing a PageantScore account.
When all judges have scored a division and you're satisfied with the results, lock it from the Results step. This prevents any accidental score changes. You can unlock later if needed (requires a reason for the audit trail).
Contestant shows up who wasn't registered? Use "Quick Add" on the Contestants step — just enter their name and division. They'll appear in the judge's contestant list immediately.
If a contestant needs to be removed after scoring has started, use "Withdraw" instead of delete. This soft-hides them from scoring while preserving the audit trail. You can restore them with one tap if needed.
Wrap up your event and send those score reports.
Go to the Results step and lock each division. This finalizes the scores.
Click "Edit Titles" for each locked division. Assign titles like "Queen", "1st Runner Up", etc. These appear prominently on the score report.
Miss Congeniality, Director's Award, People's Choice — add any special awards and assign them to contestants. They appear as gold badges on the score report.
This personal message appears at the bottom of every score report email. Thank your contestants and encourage them to return next year.
Click "Send Test to My Email" to preview what contestants will receive. Check that titles, awards, and your message look right.
Send to one division at a time or all at once. Each contestant receives a personalized email with their scores, rank, and placement. You can resend to individual contestants or override the email address if needed.
Emotions run high on event day. If parents see detailed scores while still at the venue, they may confront judges or other directors. Sending reports the next morning gives everyone time to process results. Your contestants will still be thrilled to receive them — and you'll avoid uncomfortable confrontations.
Check the "Judge Insights" tab to see how each judge performed. Were their scores differentiated? Was anyone consistently high or low? This helps you pick better judges next year.
The "Event Summary" tab gives you a snapshot of your event — total contestants, winners by division, tightest races, and highest scores. Great for social media posts and sponsor reports.
Before they submit, judges can go back and change any score — it auto-saves the new value. After submission, the director can unlock the division from the Results step (requires a reason for the audit trail), and the judge can re-enter scores.
The judge's phone shows an "Unscored" filter button with a count of missing scores. Tapping it shows only the contestants they haven't scored yet. The tabulator view also shows scoring progress per judge.
Yes. When adding a judge, you can assign them to specific divisions. They'll only see contestants in their assigned divisions.
Scores that were already saved are safe. Judges will need to reconnect to continue scoring. This is why we recommend printing backup scoresheets — they're your safety net for any tech issues.
No. Score report emails only show the individual contestant's own scores. Rankings and other contestants' scores are not shared.
No. Judges open a unique link in their phone's browser. No app, no account, no login. They tap their link and start scoring.
Not yet. PageantScore currently supports single-round scoring, which covers most local, regional, and state pageants. Multi-round formats (preliminary → finals) are on our roadmap. As a workaround, you can create a separate event for each round.
Yes. The Results step has an "Export CSV" button that downloads rankings, scores, composites, titles, and awards for every contestant. Useful for your records or submitting results to a state organization.
Yes, completely free. No hidden fees, no premium tier, no credit card required. Technical support is available via email Monday through Friday.
Or try the demo to see it all in action.