Gradings (Belt Exams)

The following page will guide you through our belt exam process. Please be sure to watch the video for a fulsome understanding prior to emailing the instructional team with questions.

🥋 What is a grading? A “grading,” also known as a belt testing, is an exciting event where students are recognized for their hard work and advancement in knowledge and skills. The grading is tiring, challenging and exhilarating all at the same time!

📅 When are the gradings? November, February and April.

✔️ Is this a “pass or fail” event?”

No, this is not an event where everyone in attendance is being examined for a new rank as this creates pressure for all students to progress at the same pace which leads to a pass or fail structure. Instead, individual students are identified for promotion when they have met all the requirements for their next rank (see below). Progress and improvement are very individual experiences and we encourage every karate student’s individual pace and journey.

👍 Once a student is identified for grading, is it a guarantee they will receive a new belt?

Once the student has achieved their rank-appropriate criteria, they are identified as eligible for promotion. Eligible for promotion means the student is ready to challenge the exam day. Success is all-but-guaranteed at our beginner ranks but for higher ranked students, success is not guaranteed. The student is expected to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and attitude on grading day.

What are the criterial?

We use 3 criteria when assessing a student’s eligibility for promotion:

  1. Time. Time in class is essential to acquiring and improving skills. Without time to explore, learn and practice, students are challenged to progress. Each rank has an estimated time recommendation. For example, to move from white stripe to yellow, students are encouraged to have a minimum of 10 hours which is at least one semester. At higher ranks, the time requirement is greater, often lasting a year or more. At the rank of black belt, it is often multiple years between ranks. This allows mastery of the skills.

  2. Skills. Each rank has a list of required basic techniques, kata, and kumite combinations. A full list of skills for all ranks can be found in the “curriculum” section below.

  3. Attitude. An essential element of karate is the development of character. While classes are fun and engaging, we expect students to try their hardest, listen to instruction, respect the dojo space and fellow students, demonstrate kindness and humility, and be willing to help others as needed.

As with any process, there are exceptions to the aforementioned requirements. We have students of varying capabilities with unique circumstances. There is a degree of judgment required of the senior instructors to assess readiness for promotion.

⌚️ Will we know in advance if our child/student is being graded?

Yes. The instructional team will post a list of students eligible for grading. We aim to let families know 2-3 weeks in advance.

❌  What is the harm in grading a student before they are ready?

Many students and parents will ask if they can receive their next belt so they are able to stay with their peer group or move into a class with an older sibling. While these suggestions are made with the best intentions, moving students too quickly can be very harmful to confidence, development and further progression. It can be overwhelming to work with a peer group that exceeds your skillset. It is best to move when the student is ready.

😭  What if a student misses their belt exam?

We understand how devastating it can be to miss a grading. Thankfully, we offer 6 exam dates throughout the year. If a student is unable to attend the grading during their regularly scheduled class time, they can:

  1. Attend the grading at another class time. For example, if a Junior student normally attends Saturday at 9:00am-9:45am, they can attend the Tuesday 4:15pm-5:00pm or 5:00pm-5:45pm gradings. Please advise Sensei Kelsey in advance.

  2. Postpone to the next set of grading dates. The student would start accumulating time towards their next belt from the original date. For example, if Sam was eligible to examine in November for their yellow belt but were away on vacation, Sam would push their exam to February. We would start counting their hours from yellow to yellow stripe from November, the original grading date. That way, they are not behind in their program due to missing the grading.

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Preparing for a Black Belt exam

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Dojo Etiquette