Each event of Modern Pentathlon is scored on a 1000 points scale. For the timed events, (swimming and running) there are set times that equals 1000 points. Each second more or less than these times is accessed a plus or minus point value.

The skill events are scored similarly in that there is a goal of shooting target points, fencing victories and a clean ride to maximize the points possible for each event.

Shooting Scoring

20 shots on a ten-ringed target can give maximum 200 shooting points. 172 shooting points is equal to 1000 pentathlon points. Every shooting point is worth +/-12 pentathlon points.

Fencing Scoring

The 1000 point score is obtained for winning 70% of the available bouts. Each win is called a victory and each loss a defeat. Each victory above or below this 70% mark is worth a specific point value.

How much each victory above or below 70 % is worth depends on how many competitors there are. The most common are:

22-23 matches gives +/- 40 points
24-26 matches gives +/- 36 points
27-29 matches gives +/- 32 points
30-33 matches gives +/- 28 points
34-39 matches gives +/- 24 points

Example: 32 competitors (= the number of people in the final) mean that there are 31 matches for each athlete. 70 % of 31 are 22. 20 victories are therefore worth 944 points.

Swimming Scoring

The time to get 1000 points for men is 2 minutes 30 seconds and for women 2 minutes 40 seconds.

Every 0.33 second is worth 4 points.

Example: The time 2 minutes 32.8 seconds corresponds to 968 points for men and 1088 points for women.

Riding Scoring

A fault free ride within "the standard time" ( 1 min - 1.17 min) is worth 1200 points.

For each mistake the rider loose points:

Every knock down gives 28 points deduction.

Every refusal or disobedience to jump gives 40 points. But any disobedience leading to the knocking down of an obstacle gives 60 points deduction. After two refusals to jump the rider must try to jump the next obstacle. For every not jumped obstacle the athlete loose 80 points.

A fall of the rider from the horse or both fall gives 40 points. After two falls the riding will be terminated and the rider will have a further 300 points deduction.

Every second above the standard time gives 4 points in deduction. The maximum time is the standard time + 60 s. If the ride is slower than the maximum time the riding is terminated and the rider gives minus 240 points and also a deduction of 80 points for each obstacle he didn't jump.

Running Scoring

The time 10 minutes for men and 11 minutes 20 seconds is worth 1000 points. Every whole second is worth 4 points.

Example: The time 10 minutes 40.8 seconds is worth 840 points for men and 1160 points for women.