Updated Belt Test Guidelines

The following has been updated, yet again, to reflect the most current guidelines as of June 2008.

Here are some important guidelines to help you prepare for your next belt test:

1. Review our belt test information, beginning with our article on belt testing and including our blog posts on belt testing.
   
2. If you are testing for yellow belt or above, you will need to arrange for a classmate to be your uke for your test. This person should preferably be close to your rank or above. (In some cases, size may be a more important consideration than rank.) You may want to set aside some practice time to work with your uke, both in and outside of class, although this is not required. Try to attend at least one Test Review class together prior to your belt test. Open gyms are also important. In addition, if you are a BasicPlus or BlackBelt Track member, you can arrange with Sensei to schedule additional practice times in the dojo.
3. If you are testing for blue belt or above, prepare yourself for an increasingly long test that will include sparring and possibly grappling as well. It is highly recommended that you attend as many Fight Classes prior to your test as possible.
   
4. Make sure your uniform is in order. If your gi is beginning to look shabby or small, you will need to have a new one in time for the test. Everyone should arrive looking sharp, with the proper patch in place, and the gi clean and pressed. If you are testing for an intermediate or advanced rank, please wear the appropriate gi.
5. Know what is expected of you at each rank, and prepare accordingly.

In addition to the guidelines on our website, here are the special testing requirements at each belt level:

• Striped Yellow and Yellow Belt --- Student needs to demonstrate all required material at the proper level and with confidence.
• Blue Belt --- In addition to testing on all requirements, candidates will be required to spar and may be required to grapple. (This also applies to Jr. Orange belt candidates.)
  
• Green and Purple Belts --- Candidates for green belt will be required to test in front of Sensei Gilliland. All candidates may be asked to spar or grapple, and may also be asked to demonstrate a weapons kata. (While weapons training is not required below black belt level, it is included in our optional/bonus material and can increase test scores as well as earn gold/silver stars.)
  
• Brown Belt Candidates:
• Sankyu --- All brown belt candidates will be tested either orally or in writing on the basic history of Keichu Ryu and general martial arts knowledge. Sparring and grappling is required at all brown belt tests. Students should be prepared for a long test that will require them to work hard. They should also prepare for surprises. Some of those surprises may be more fun than others. In preparing to advance to this rank, students need to demonstrate a high level of dedication and a readiness for leadership and service. Sankyu candidates will be required to test for Sensei Gilliland.
  
• Nikyu --- Students should be prepared to spar, grapple, scrapple, work hard, and demonstrate everything that they know to the best of their ability.
• Ikkyu --- Be prepared for a long test...a very long test. Once the candidate begins testing on the ikkyu requirements, the test will be closed to anyone but family. Testing for ikkyu is a huge step and requires a great deal of commitment. This will not be an easy test by any stretch of the imagination. Be prepared for anything. If you have ever heard any rumors about Sensei being "old school", you will discover that they were all understatements.
• Black Belt Candidates --- You will be informed at or after your ikkyu test about how to begin the final preparations for black belt. You will be required to write a thesis. During the last six months of preparation before the pre-test, you will be working many long hours. Sensei will give you a checklist of what needs to be accomplished before setting the date for your test, which will take place with Sensei Gilliland on the panel.
  

When you are preparing for a belt test, know that we will evaluate more than just your technique. The correct attitude is essential, and becomes even more crucial as you advance in rank. Your physical appearance at your belt test communicates your level of respect for the testing panel, the importance you place on advancing to the next rank, your degree of self-discipline, and your dedication to Keichu.

Remember that it takes three things to be a good student at Shinjin Karate. It takes respect, ultimate focus, and hard work. That is also what it takes to do well at a belt test.