Q Grader (certification)

The Q Grader is the international standard for professional coffee sensory evaluation, administered by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). Candidates complete 19-20 exams (legacy programme) or 9 components (SCA Evolved Q Grader 2025+) over 6 days, covering: SCA cupping protocol, triangulation, series of descriptors, organic acids identification, green grading, roasted coffee grading, and sensory skills. Pass rate: approximately 50%. License must be renewed every 3 years with recalibration. Approximately 10,000 active Q Graders worldwide (CQI/SCA 2025).