What else could I do?

[ShotokanKid]

I am probably testing for nidan in May... So I'm starting training now.

I am doing:

-Speedbag training

-Jumprope

-Pull-ups/ chin-ups

What else should I do to increase my stamina? (as in being able to spar for 20 minutes straight)

[Meguro]

Run. Do intervals. Hit the heavy bag for 20 minutes. After class, ask some senior students (5 or so ) to stay and spar with you one right after the other with no rest period for you.

[ROB]

Have a look here :- https://www.crossfit.com.

Do the crossfit workouts for strength / conditioning, and get as much partner work as possible, ie pads, sparring ect.

Build your anerobic capacity, and everything else becomes easy.

[Aodhan]

I am probably testing for nidan in May... So I'm starting training now.

I am doing:

-Speedbag training

-Jumprope

-Pull-ups/ chin-ups

What else should I do to increase my stamina? (as in being able to spar for 20 minutes straight)

Aerobics, aerobics, and more aerobics. By that I don't mean jumping around on the floor with the rest of the victims while a pseudo sadist in spandex screams at you over her microphone, but aerobic activity such as running, biking, swimming, etc.

I would also add interval work, where you sprint once around a track, walk around the track, sprint around the track, etc etc. Sparring is a short burst, anaerobic activity for the most part, so you need to be ready for that, and the longer endurance work will give you the stamina you need.

Work on EVERYTHING for the test, forms, weapons, sparring, etc. until they are completely second nature. That way if you get completely stressed, your body can just take over until your mind unfreezes. Meditate, picture your testing and you doing well.

Let us know how it goes!!

Aodhan