My club does it do that all coloured belts do the same curriculum, they just have higher expectations for the higher levels. So we grade all together 4 times a year. If you don't go at least 2, mostly 3 times a week, you won't know enough to grade. If that is the case, you miss out. People usually know they aren't prepared. At grading we are divided into belt colours and run through the curriculum for an hour and a half with a different examiner watching a small group. If you can't make the grading you can do it by yourself a bit later, but not too far into the next term. Black is different

At my school it's at my instructor's discretion as to when we test............ and he mentions that constantly! Also, attendence is a factor as well, which makes sense since you need to be there frequently in order to absorb the curriculum. I go twice a week, which is plentiful for me, but also that's what my schedule during the week allows. It seems that at my level (intermediate) the testings are usually 4 months apart, with the higher belts testing every 6 months or so.

Ours goes on number of classes attended with the early belts requiring 24 classes minimum between them and then at the Black belt level it is 100 classes minimum. When we test we have to do our form without mistakes (each belt level has a different form) We fight the "gladiator pit" meaning that we spar every student in the class for 30 seconds non stop starting with the lowest ranks and ending with the black belts when you are exhausted. Then you have to demonstrate what ever technique the instructor asks at white belt it may be just a simple front kick on up to what ever he feels you should know. The black belts are also required to have "x" number of hours hours of teaching and write a 5page essay about what they learned along the way and how it has effected their daily life. As far as it being a money maker for the schools I guess I don't understand that the only added cost is the extra money for the cost of the belt itself.

I have been practicing the same MA for over 25-years. You never stop learning and grading is part of the learning process. I practice aikido, which is a modern Japanese MA and ranking has been part of the system since very early on. It isn't a big deal, and becomes less of a big deal the longer you practice. Some people find testing motivating, others not so much, but the preparation is a sharp focusing which is a good thing.

If you feel the dojo is all about rank, ask yourself why. Is It a bunch of young hungry students (which is pretty normal) or is it monetary? Most dojos barely scrape by and if the dojo is part of an organization much of the fees go to the organization. Usually testing is a combination of motivating, focus, and supporting the instructor through the students outward signs of progress. Plus other factors no doubt.

How long have you been at the dojo and practing?

In our style you have a set number of days or hours that you have to do to be eligible to test, but testing is up to the instructor and generally the student is asked to test. First grading is around 6-9 months of steady practice and the the period of time between tests typically grows. Most dedicated students find themselves testing for their first Dan grade atabout 7-8 years this way.

This is pretty much how our system works. Testing is done on an individual basis, up to the discretion of the instructor, but generally there is a minimum of six months between tests. There is a minimum of one year between brown and black, the head of the system (a 10th degree black belt) decides who will test for black, and he conducts the test. There are brown belts in my system who have been brown belts for years. There is no guarantee that I will earn a black belt. When I do, I will be pretty certain that it was *earned*, not given to me for "putting in my time", and certainly not bought.

But we are given these expectations up front. We are told how often testing is done, what is expected for us to advance to the next level, testing costs...and that it's considered a breach of etiquette to approach our instructor about testing.

I don't think any of the instructors in my system are making any money from teaching martial arts; they charge students just enough money to keep the doors open. We have no contracts, our monthly fees are low compared to other systems, and our testing fee is $25--enough to cover the cost of the belt, certificate, and maybe gas money for those running the test to get there.

Adding...if a student doesn't pass the test the first time, the instructor gives feedback and tells them what they are wanting to see. Students only pay the testing fee once--no fee is charged for retesting. Or re-retesting.

when the instructor feels it is time for you to move on...they will let u know... are u just starting and stuck in a beginner class? some places are expensive some arnt you just have to take your time and check them out. and each school does things differently.

when i did iff/ust tae kwon do.. when we tested..depending on rank... there was patterns, breaking, sparring, general and written knowladge, step sparring, and then coriographed fights to demonstrate what u know..and yes my spelling sucks..lol

i am now at baileys tkd and for testing at least the colored belts it is easyer.. paterns sparring and breaking for the most part.

and i am a bit frustrated right now..but i am the student so i do what i need to do... i have health issues i am fighting with and being way overweight and not been active in the sport in over 10 years. so having to relearn everything..and being a transfer i am stuck at being a white belt tell i get back up to the level i am supposed to be and taking the test. to start with i was only doing it for the exercise..but now my stamina is coming back and i am doing way better at it than i thought i was going to do i am now wanting to go for my black belt.. right now i am currently 3 patterns from that level..and i went ahead and retaught myself the next pattern cus i was ready for it..but the instructor told me she felt i needed to work more on the other stuff first...so i follow her rules there but work on the next pattern on my own...

colored belts and such are only there for the most part just to keep u interested and to give u something to work for... but yes it can be agrivating at times when u think u are ready to move on. but it is kinda disrespectful to bug the instructor bout advances...u can ask questions bout it..but not push it.

we have a grading every 3 months this our Grading Structure
• 9th Grade White
• 8th Grade Yellow – (3 months)
• 7th Grade Orange – (3 months)
• 6th Grade Green – (3 months) At this grade students can grade in Shaolin Staff
• 5th Grade Blue – (3 months)
• 4th Grade Purple - (3 months)
• 3rd Grade Purple White - (3 months)
• 2nd Grade Brown – (6 months) At this grade students can go for Instructor, and Animal Practitioner
• 1st Grade Brown White – (1 year)
• 1st Degree Black – (1 year)
• 2nd Degree Black – (2 years)
• 3rd Degree Black – (3 years)
• 4th Degree Black – (4 years)

The months or years in brackets are the minium before you can think about grading. Plus the cost at our Club is cheap you pay £10($16) for each grading. Our club's instructors are volunteers and we pay £3.50($5) per class which last's 2 hours. I felt glad to be there because i too have been in a club where there more interested in how much money they can make out of you instead of seeing how well your performance is

I'm not worried about the belt so much as proper training. If a school cares about who goes where to train because of belt colours, then I care. Like I said, not trying to be with the beginners and trial people nearly every time.

How long have you been practicing with this particular school? Other than the grading thing are you happy there?

I have always felt that chasing a belt is ****ing stupid. I get that it's an accomplishment, but what does it say when you PAY to get tested? It's about money. And if you can test for a black belt after a year of training, then something smells fishy to me.


This is the reason I don't test in BJJ or Judo. I have no problem throwing around and submitting higher belts than me.