Just what is a test...exactly?

[Montana]

Dictionary.com defines test as:

1. the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.

2. the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.

3. a particular process or method for trying or assessing.

4. a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.

All of these apply to martial art belt testing I think. Basically, a test is a way of evaluating what you have learned and retained, and being able to demonstrate that knowledge to others at a specific moment in time.

So when you successfully demonstrate your knowledge and ability to to regurgitate taht knowledge in front of your sensei/testing board to their satisfaction, you've PASSED!

Great, huh?

So what's the problem?

The one problem I see is that for that one exact moment of time you were able to demonstrate your retention of specific knowledge and abilities of information you were given over a specific time period. But coudl you do the exact same thing, with the exact same degree of "perfection" say...a month from now? A year?

Maybe (hopefully)...and maybe not.

I don't want to mention any names, but there are systems out there that once you've passed a test to attain a certain belt level, then you no longer are required to practice or test on the same material...ever!

For example, in my chosen system for our first belt test the kata Pinan Shodan, the basic blocks, kicks and punches and stances, and proper walking techniques (moving forward, sideways and backwards from those stances). If I were to assume (we know what that means, right?) that my stdentsknows this material later on because he/she already tested on it, and I never look at it again as a testing criteria, and the student knows that, then chances are those particular techniques will begin to deteriorate.

Is this a bad thing?

Absolutely!

Building your skills as a martial artist is like building a house. if your foundation is weak from the beginning, the entire structure is weak. If your foundation weakens anywhere along the way, the whole house is weak and could collapse at any given time. You must keep a strong foundation at all times and practice that foundation repeatedly for as long as you train. Without a strong foundation, everything else is weak.

The testing process ALWAYS needs to include the foundation techniques and principles of your chosen art.

[bushido_man96]

In our organization, when we test for black belt, we have to do all the colored belt material at that testing. However, the instructor can call any form up to the rank the student is at any testing.

We don't normally do our basics during testing. We go straight into the testing material of forms, one-steps, sparring, board breaking, etc.

I do think we should call on lower ranking forms to be done more often at our testings. It would make students think about keeping up on them better.

[Montana]

I do think we should call on lower ranking forms to be done more often at our testings. It would make students think about keeping up on them better.

Exactly my point.

[sensei8]

Cover EVERYTHING from A to Z each and every time!! No exceptions!! No matter the ranking!! Standards and expectations must be high as well as consistent in both training and tests. I've failed Yondan's before for not showing marked improvement in something as elementary as Pinan Shodan.

When it comes to a test: Get it right or get off my floor!! Too strict? NOPE!! Accountability is paramount!!

[GeoGiant]

Our dojo has white, yellow, green, blue, low brown, high brown & black. I don't think my instructor has given a BB in less than 5 years. I believe the average is 6 to 8.

Every belt above green includes 3 kata. When you test for black you start with the blue belt kata and (re) demonstrate your knowledge. This makes sense to me. Green marks the point where a student deviates from basic kata movements. Blue marks the point where advanced kata movements are performed.

[Groinstrike]

In our dojo our tests all the way up through green belt are fairly short and focus mainly on angle drills and kata along with the ability to answers certain questions about the concepts of our system. From Purple belt forward our tests still contain those things along with grueling conditoning and sparring/grappling sessions which test both physical and mental attributes of the testee.

[quinteros1963]

Knowledge must be cumulative. What we learn as 9th an 8th kyu should be what we are learning as 1st kyu or shodan, but at a higher level of understanding. Shodan is only a master of the basics; therefore what is learned at lower levels must be built upon and perfected.

[still kicking]

Good comments so far. In my view, above all, a test is something that is possible to fail, otherwise it is not a "test"!

[Agenda]

Test is searching for something good when you need to choose the best method... Well, that's just a particular case )