Q GRADER
Course.
Globally recognised and full to the brim with valuable professional development, the Q Grader program is one of the specialty coffee industry’s most valued certifications. Created and overseen by the not-for-profit Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), this course teaches and tests attendees on the details of how to cup and grade green coffees. With CQI’s mission to increase coffee quality and the lives of those producing it, the Q Grader program plays a key role in establishing an international language for quality coffee.
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The value of Q.
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The CQI Q Grader course is one of the best opportunities for professional development in the coffee industry. Aside from being one of the most widely recognised and valued international certifications, the Q Grader course has been refined and improved over many years, offering a comprehensive framework and language for quality coffee. Participants of the course gain a huge amount of understanding about the detail of what defines specialty coffee with an international context.
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Truly calibrate yourself against an international standard.
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Gain a certification to help you progress your coffee career.
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Ensure your professional assessment of coffees is rigorous and backed by recognised protocols.
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Learn an incredible amount about sensory analysis and how to taste and describe coffee!
COURSES.
CVA for Cuppers
Existing or lapsed Q/R Grader? Want to know all about the SCA's new Coffee Value Assessment (CVA)? This is the workshop for you!
CVA for Cuppers is a two-day, hands-on training designed for professional cuppers, Q and R Graders, and anyone who wishes to understand the professional usage of the SCA’s new Coffee Value Assessment system into their daily practice.
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In this course, we'll unpack the philosophy and research behind the SCA's new format which pairs the established sensory descriptive recording with evaluation of coffee through value-based reasoning—considering not only what’s in the cup, but also how factors like origin, processing, and consumer perception influence a coffee’s commercial and qualitative worth.​
Who is this course for? This course is ideal for: Professional cuppers seeking to update or expand their cupping methodology. Q Arabica/Robusta Graders (current or expired) wanting to transition their certification to the new SCA managed ecosystem. Coffee buyers, roasters, educators and quality evaluation professionals making sourcing decisions or describing coffees. What You’ll Learn By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: •Use the CVA Descriptive and Affective Forms to evaluate coffee. •Apply the 15-point intensity scale, CATA lists, and hedonic scales in sensory analysis. •Identify and calibrate olfactory references to build consistency in descriptive cupping. •Evaluate both intrinsic and extrinsic attributes that influence perceived coffee value. •Combine sensory data with subjective impressions to better inform buying, pricing, and communication. Course Format The training includes: •Multiple cupping sessions using real-world samples. •Guided sensory calibration exercises. •Discussions on the background and intent of the CVA system. •Practical tasks on descriptive and affective evaluation. •Use of SCA-approved tools and methodologies. Assessment & Certification To successfully complete the course, participants must pass: •A written exam •An olfactory reference identification test •Descriptive cupping assessment (use of form) •Affective cupping assessment (use of form) Upon passing, participants will receive an SCA-sanctioned certificate, validating your CVA training and application ability. This certificate does not certify you as a cupper, but confirms your proficiency in applying CVA tools. Existing or Lapsed CQI Q Graders who pass this course can apply to have their Q certification ‘fast-tracked’ to the SCA where it will be valid for an additional 3 years.
Q Grader Full Course
Cost
The 2 day course is $1300 (ex GST)
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Upcoming Courses:
Melbourne: Saturday 9th August - 10th August, 2025
Sydney: Dates Upcoming
Brisbane: Dates Upcoming
Perth: Dates Upcoming
The final months of CQI's iconic Q Grader course!
Thoroughly designed and full of the latest international standards, the Q Grader course has been globally recognised for 20 years. With recent announcements about a transition of the course to SCA management, the Q in its current iteration will end by 30th September 2025. Enrol now to secure one of the last opportunities to experience this unique professional development!
The Q Grader course runs over 6 days with the format consisting of two sections: the first 3 days are all about theory and practice - providing participants with a huge amount of detailed, industry leading knowledge and practice rounds of the assessments to follow. Over the second 3 days, the student’s understanding of this knowledge is put to the test across 19 modules. These exams cover a variety of areas including evaluating coffee in the cupping format and accurate use of the 2004 score sheet to identification of differing acids in coffee, green sample grading through to identification of aromatic compounds.
While there’s a lot of valuable instruction provided in the initial 3 days, a good basis of coffee knowledge and familiarity with tasting a range of coffee is recommended to embark on your Q journey. The Q Grader Training and Exam 6 day course is rigorous and some students may find it challenging to pass all 19 of the exams. Resits of some exam modules are available throughout the course week and students can return to a future Q course to finish off just their outstanding exams to achieve their certification. There’s no doubt that the Q Grader course is a big week of learning and sensory testing but I take pride in hosting inclusive, safe and supportive classes. We’ve got some tests to do but we always have a lot of fun and, along with discussing interesting coffee concepts and tasting delicious coffees, you're surrounded by a diverse range of knowledgeable and passionate coffee pros to learn alongside.
Q Grader Calibration Course
Cost
The 6 day, Q Grader Arabica course is $3500(incGST).
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Upcoming Courses:
Melbourne: Monday 28th July - Saturday 2nd August, 2025
Update: CQI's Calibration to be replaced with CVA for Cuppers.
Recent changes will see the existing iteration of the Q Grader certification close September 30th 2025, with SCA taking over the program with new curriculum after that date. As such, CQI's Calibration is no longer relevant to existing cuppers. Instead, for existing or lapsed Q Graders, I recommend SCA's CVA for Cuppers course (details above) which will both introduce the new evaluation standards and tools as well as the opportunity to transition your certification to the SCA's new ecosystem, extending your credentials for a further 3 years.
Please submit an inquiry form below with your interest in the CVA for Cuppers workshop and feel free to contact for any further information.
Cost
N/A
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Upcoming courses:
N/A - Course discontinued. See course details for more info.
Q Grader Resits
Time critical! With recent announcements about the transition of the Q Program, if you have any outstanding modules in your Q Certification, you now have until September 30th 2025 to complete them before CQI's Q Grader course is retired. Join at our upcoming course to finish your hard won work and secure this legacy certification.
Resits take place during the full Q Grader course and participants are welcome to attend the relevant theory and practice sessions for their resit models in the first half of the week. The assessments will take place during the second 3 days (Thurs - Sat). You have 18 months from your initial Q Grader course to pass all of the exam modules - make sure to check in on your CQI profile to identify your specific timeframe.
Cost
1-3 Retake Units: $300
4 - 6 Retake Units: $500
7+ Retake Units - please contact me via the form below to discuss.
Upcoming Courses:​
Melbourne: Monday 28th July - Saturday 2nd August, 2025
Q Grader Recertification
You successfully achieved your Q Grader certification but it has since lapsed and you're keen to regain this globally celebrated qualification!
If you're past your 3year + 6 month Calibration timeframe from your original certifying Q date, or didn't achieve a pass in your Q Calibration attendance, and still within 5 years of your expiry date, this is the course for you!
Running in parallel to a full Q Course, the Recertification course comprises of 13 exam modules and I welcome students to attend all relevant practice sessions and retakes throughout the week.
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The Q Recertification course offers you the opportunity to rejoin the current Q community and extend your certification for another 36 months. I look forward to having you in the class!
Cost
The 6 day, Q Recertification Arabica course is $2200(incGST).
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Upcoming Courses:​
Melbourne: Monday 28th July - Saturday 2nd August, 2025
While students are technically only required to attend the exam components although I strongly encourage you to join the practice sessions earlier in the week to refamiliarise yourself with the testing formats and calibrate with the student group. You would be required to sit and pass the following exam modules: *Sensory Skills Exam *Cupping Skills Exam - comprised of three (3) cupping sessions. *Triangulation Skills Exam - three triangulation exams, which correlate to the cupping exams administered. *Olfactory Skills Exam - Parts A, B, C, D *Matching Pairs Skills Exam *Flavor Standards Exam On passing each of these modules, you will once again be a current Q Grader, with your certification refreshed for the following 3 years! WHY DO IT? Maintaining a current Q Grader certification in good stead allows you to continue to promote your skills and this highly recognised award. Not only will the course offer you the opportunity to refresh your certification and get the latest updates on the Q System, it is also a great opportunity to step outside of your day to day context and re-centre your coffee assessment to a globally calibrated level.
