rank test how do you figure what to charge?

[jaedeshi]

I'm wondering how instructors figure the rates they charge for testing fees. Thanks now for your input.

[G95champ]

I only chage 15.00 for Kyu this covers the belt and certificate so I mae nothing on tests.

However, I am not teaching to make a living either.

Few things you prob. need to think about.

1. Are you testing everyone or just those you think are ready. (if you test everyone and some fail do they get their money back)

2. If a student were to jump a rank must they pay extra after the fact?

3. How much is your class per month and should the test be more than that, the same or less?

4. Will you give the test or will you have another instructor come in and do so. If one comes in are you going to play him? If so the cost IMO shoudl cover his price.

5. How much does other local clubs charge? Other styles and the same style.

6. Will you give family rates to those testing if you have brothers, sisters, parents etc all testing at once?

7. Cover you cost. Belt, Certificate, Path, Gi, etc I don't know what you use or give but make sure you don't lose money.

8. Specail deals like perfect attendence= no testing fee. Or sign up X number of students = no testing fee.

Good luck if I can be of help just msg. me.

[marie curie]

I think that those are some great considerations. Also- how many ranks are in your system? For example, if there are only 5, the cost may be more than if there are 10.

[bushido_man96]

Some organizations have set fees, and the HQ will get a kickback usually. If you plan on being affiliated, then that is something to consider.

[Tiger1962]

I think it also depends on the community where you live. If the neighborhood where your studio leans towards being a lower income area, you can't very well charge a high fee. So I would take the geographics into consideration. Also, like the others said, do you have to split this fee with a headquarters or other source?

[Traymond]

I charge nothing, but i decide when they test.

[Wa-No-Michi]

£5.00 GBP

=

$7.43 USD

At todays rate.

[masterphoenix]

I'm wondering how instructors figure the rates they charge for testing fees. Thanks now for your input.

I agree with previous posters, and here some additional insight: You need to know what other people within driving distance are charging. Consider the economy of your area. Consider whether or not your lesson fees are priced right. If your lessons are high for the area, you may need to take it easy on testing fees. If you are priced just right, you might stay in line with what other people are charging. If your monthly fees are somewhat cheap for the area, maybe you can get more for testing.

That being said, also consider your own rank. Most people would prefer to have a legitimate 8th dan signing their certificate than a 2nd, so if you are higher ranked, and teaching professionally, maybe you can charge a little more. While the certificate may function the same, there is added perceived quality of the endorsement when the issuer is higher ranked. Also, higher ranked instructors have more time, money, blood, sweat and tears invested in their own training, and perhaps deserve to be compensated a little better in some circumstances.

As with everything else, you need balance. You don't want the students/parents to be resentful every time they have to write another check, so make sure you are really providing good services so valuable that no one minds spending a bit. Make it worth your while, and make sure that what you charge and what you do doesn't conflict with your conscience. You definitely don't want to have to give up teaching because you aren't charging enough.

There was a time when I didn't charge for testing at all. I was very cheap on lesson prices, and I was not taken as seriously because there wasn't as much perceived value to what I did. Among non-martial artists, I think a lot of people assumed on initial inquiry that those who have the biggest buildings and charge the most must be better. I realized I was knocking myself out for nothing, and once I started charging reasonably, I found that almost instantly I was taken more seriously on initial inquiry. All I can figure is that people assumed my price must match the quality.

I realized I was selling myself short and causing myself to work too hard in other areas to make ends meet. I had used a bad local economy as an excuse for many years, until a high dollar school came into my small town and instantly generated 200 students at 4 times the rate I was charging, plus test fees. I started looking around, and the big schools within driving distance were charging $70-90 per colored belt, for a total of 19 belt changes before black, and $200+ for every rank of black. I really felt the 70-90 was way too much for colored belts, so for me, $40.00 was a happy medium, and it's been reasonably more profitable since.

This was many years ago, and my changes have worked well. Taking all of the above into consideration, I am well pleased with what I charge.

[Montana]

I charge nothing, but i decide when they test.

DITTO!