Evolved Q Grader Certification (SCA), Instructed by Craig Simon.

Melbourne – Q Grade Course (SCA), Instructed by Craig Simon at Criteria Coffee.

Tuesday 2nd December – Sunday 7th December 2025. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (each day)

Location: 37 Wirraway Drive, Port Melbourne. Victoria.

All materials, coffee, reference sets, exam fees, morning tea, lunch, and refreshments are included. BYO cupping spoon if preferred.

Become a Certified Q Grader

The Q Grader Certification remains the world’s highest benchmark for sensory skill in coffee. With the SCA’s new Q Evolved program, the curriculum has been restructured around the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) system — a more complete, transparent way to evaluate coffee quality. Over six intensive days, participants will work through lectures, guided cuppings, sensory drills, and structured assessments designed to test both knowledge and sensory acuity.

The course covers the full range of evaluations — Physical, Descriptive, Affective, and Extrinsic — and includes multiple calibration sessions and exam practice. Passing all nine components earns you the globally recognized Q Grader Certification, widely seen as the gold standard for cuppers, roasters, and buyers.

What you will learn

Across two days of lectures, discussion and hands-on cuppings, you will learn:

• Coffee Value Assessment Foundations – Understand Physical, Descriptive, Affective, and Extrinsic evaluations.

• Physical Assessment – Identify defects, measure moisture and color, and apply standardized grading protocols.

• Descriptive Analysis – Build a precise sensory vocabulary for aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and finish.

• Affective Evaluation – Evaluate distinctiveness and desirability in market and professional contexts.

• Extrinsic Evaluation – Assess origin, process, and claims in alignment with buyer and consumer expectations.

• Exam Readiness – Prepare for and practice the nine Q Grader exam components with guided calibration.

• Professional Application – Discover how certification strengthens credibility across sourcing, roasting, QC, and training.

What’s Included

Everything you need for a successful certification week is provided from coffees to exam materials, you’ll have full support so you can focus on learning and putting your skills to practice.

Who is this course for?

This course is for coffee professionals — roasters, buyers, cuppers, and quality leads — who want to certify their sensory skills to the highest international standard. It’s ideal for those confident in cupping and evaluation, ready to take on an intensive, six-day program built around the SCA’s new Coffee Value Assessment framework. Attending the Q Grade course is a valuable learning experience and is highly beneficial as a learning experience, where you skills can be further developed and assessed against a professional framework.

Meet your Instructor

Craig Simon — AST, CQI Q Arabica Instructor, Founder of Criteria Coffee.

Craig achieved his own Q grade certification in 2011 and became Australia’s first qualified Q Grade Instructor in 2015. During his 20+ years as a coffee professional Craig has been committed to elevating the quality of coffee through his award-winning barista championship presentations, his mentorship as a WBC Sensory and Roasting Judge, past Head of The Roasters Guild Australia and founder of Criteria Coffee. Craig applies his expert knowledge daily in a real-world environment, as both a roaster and green buyer. He has dedicated many years to passing on his knowledge, having taught hundreds of students around the globe. His teaching combines technical precision with a practical, industry-focused approach. As an Educator, Craig has over 30 years combined teaching experience in both the music and coffee industry.

Have a question?

We are happy to answer any other queries  you might have about this course or other training that we offer. Contact us here. 

Once your ticket has been purchased, we’ll contact you to finalise your registration.