test length

[Throwdown0850]

haha, smart man

yep, gotta love'em..

[Zanshin]

Examination may be only 45mins, but truth is you are being evaluated all the time.

Our dan gradings are conducted at the end of a two or three day course. Whilst the physical examination probably lasts no more than 45 mins max, truth is you have pretty much passed or failed before you start the test.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

This is very true. Not many instructors would test you if you were destined to fail.

[humble monk]

I tested for black by myself, a 3 hour affair. No breaks, except to adjust my uniform. Then 2 weeks to see if I passed. Good times.

[Tiger1962]

Every style is different I suppose. Mine was roughly 4 hours.

Longest 4 hours of my life !! I couldn't wait until it was over to run to the bathroom!!

[Montana]

My classes were 2 hours long. I test those that are ready...might be one student, might be 10. Whichever, all testings, whether yellow belt or black, are done within the normal class time. All day, or multiple day tests are silly if you ask me.

[USCMAAI]

In my system the black belt test occurs over several months time. Each student is evaluated on their abilities in class, including instructing lower belts. The actual required techniques take about 3 hours per student, and we don't test more than 4 people at a time

[nanook660]

Our tests are broken down and as we head into karate deeper it will be getting longer.

1. Section is Kihon Tsuki and Uchi and I will be doing 7 different moves

2 Section is Kihon Keri which I will be doing 2 kicks

3 Section has Renraku Waza I will be doing 3 Combination Techniques

4 Section is Kihon Kata

5 Section is Ippon Gumite Ippon Me #1 (Head Block), and Nihomme #2(Down Block)

The White Belts test every 3-4 months, while the coloured Belts test every 6 months.

[moriniuk]

Montana, I salute you.

I also conduct gradings during a normal class. I'm a small school and I see the same students each week. I know exactly what they are capable of and when they're ready they get promoted.

I can see a problem with this method with larger groups and senior instructors who don't regularly see students though.

I've seen dan gradings taken by very senior Japanese senseis take between 10 minutes (panel grading) and seven days (being observed on a course.

Lots of gradings seem to include fitness tests, which in my opinion is a waste of time.

[joesteph]

Lots of gradings seem to include fitness tests, which in my opinion is a waste of time.

Moriniuk, in the fitness tests you're referring to, suppose the individual cannot do jump kicks. Let's say the reason is because of the knees. The person can do a "hop forward" and then kick to cover the distance. I know a dan member whose knees were both operated on, so while he's permitted to do karate, he isn't permitted to practice or perform jump kicks. It really is a case of "doctor's orders."

Anything on this?