What happens to the score if the exercise has .5 in VC and no D/E is included?

In gymnastics scoring, the final score consists of two components: the start value (SV) and any deductions that may apply. The start value is typically calculated based on the difficulty (D) and execution (E) of the routine, alongside any bonus elements or variations.

In this scenario, if the exercise has a .5 in value criteria (VC), that means there is a noticeable deduction impacting the routine's overall score. When no D or E is included, it can indicate that the routine lacks the difficulty or execution value that would usually contribute to a higher score. Therefore, if a gymnast has a .5 deduction in VC but no additions from D/E, it effectively pushes the start value down.

The scoring system works such that if the start value of the routine is not sufficiently high due to these deductions, it could lower the possible maximum score. In this case, it signifies the routine achieves recognition up to a maximum of 9.90 because the .5 deduction has reduced the score slightly below the perfect 10. This is a critical understanding of how value criteria impact the final scoring in gymnastics.