The Modern Pentathlon scoring system is quite confusing to new people to the sport. Each event of the Modern Pentathlon is scored on a 1000 point scale. For the swimming and running events that are timed, there are set times (I'll explain this bit soon) that equal the 1000 point mark. Each second that you go under or over this set time you get either points added to your 1000 point scale or taken off your 1000 point scale.

For the pistol shooting event, the competitor gets 20 shots at a ten ringed board/target. This gives the competitor the chance to score 200 points maximum. 172 shooting points will get you 1000 points, if you score less then 172, you get points deducted from your 1000 points, or if you score more then the 172 shooting points, you then get points added to your 1000 point total. Every point below or above 172 shooting points is either worth minus or plus 12 Pentathlon points.

The Fencing scoring system is also quite advanced. Again, the competitor starts with 1000 points and he or she can either get more points, or lose points depending on how they go. If you win 70% of your bouts, you get to keep your 1000 points. Each competitor competes against each other once in this event and the first person to score a hit wins the bout.

If you lose or win a higher or lower percentage of bouts, your point will either increase or decrease.

The swimming scoring again is based on the 1000 point system. To get 1000 points, the competitor must swim the designated length in 2 minutes 30 seconds for men and 2 minutes 40 seconds for women.

For every .33 seconds you are above or below that mark you lose or gain four Pentathlon points.

The Equestrian event is scored a little differently. 1200 points is the starting point. If the rider has a fault free ride under 1 minute 17 seconds, they get 1200 points. For mistakes, the rider loses points depending on the type of mistake. For example, a simple knockdown of an obstacle is worth a 28 point deduction. If the rider does not complete the course in the MAXIMUM set time, they lose 240 points, plus deductions for any obstacles they knocked over.

The running leg is simple. The time 10 minutes for men and 11 minutes 20 seconds for women is worth 1000 points to the competitor. Every second above or below that is worth plus or minus 4 points.