In sport, score is a number or mark that demonstrates a player’s achievement in a game or competition. It also refers to the total amount of goals or points scored during a match or contest: The team scored two touchdowns. A person can also be said to score when they achieve a certain number or level in a test, examination, or game: He scored an average of 147 on three separate IQ tests.

The highest score in a sport is determined by the specific rules and scoring system of each discipline. Many sports determine a winner based on the number of points accrued during a contest, while others have more complicated scoring systems that are harder to compare across different athletic disciplines.

For example, association football, cricket, and rugby have differing scoring systems. In association football, a successful goal is worth one point, while rugby teams can earn additional points through conversion kicks or penalty kicks. Cricket, on the other hand, offers a more complex set of scoring options that include six-point runs and two-point drop goal kicks.

In combat sports, like boxing and mixed martial arts, the winner of a fight is usually determined by who scores more points during an agreed-upon number of timed rounds. However, in some instances, a knockout or submission can end a fight immediately regardless of points or time. This is sometimes referred to as ‘scoring out’ or ‘scoring out through the roof’.