ZDK

Yes. In fact my daughter, wife and I are new to MA and we all recently took our 7th Kyu tests. My 12 year old did not pass. We all knew that the self defense component was non negotiable. (you must break free from a one and two hand grab). She was unable to shake the female blue belt who played attacker. To Sensai's credit he knew that she hadn't found her inner fire that would enable her to do what she needed to do, so he was not about to let her off the hook. At the belt ceremony he merely said "next time you will get there". Later in private he told her that her basic techniques were better than some of the others who passed, but... Well, she retested last week and got her yellow belt, and learned a thing or two in the process. also in our association I have heard a number of BBs say that they failed either the first or second brown. But few failed a BB test. It appears that our leadership sees the brown belt levels as a wheat from the chaff moment.

I simply can't imagine not having our sempai, and sensai present to help refine technique of, and inspire the kyu ranks. They and the rest of the upper ranks are very generous and are true teachers at heart.