When a friend is testing for godan.

[Shizentai]

Very soon two dear friends of mine that I have known for a decade now will be taking their godan test. Being a nidan myself, this sort of testing seems very far off in the distance to me. In our organization this rank requires the practitioner to demonstrate not only kata, kihon and kumite, but also to be drilled relentlessly on bunkai, practical self defense, and to present primary research in their field of specialization before taking an hour-long written exam. Then, often they must speak at length with an instructor from our headquarters in Japan. In the past I have seen many people test for godan. Almost all fail.

So my questions for all of you are this:

Have you ever had to take a high-level rank test before? If so, what was it like?

Also, in preparing for such a test, what is the best way that a kohai can help?

[Kruczek]

I would offer to you that the most helpful thing you can do is be available for partner work. You can't each them Japanese (maybe you can), you can't teach them how to do their kata better. If you could, you would have already.

They know what they need to do - often the toughest part is finding someone to work with.

[DWx]

I'm sure just being there in the capacity of uke will help them a lot. If they're a higher grade there's probably not much you can do in the way of helping them with kata and kihon but partnering them for sparring and bunkai work would help them out. I've worked with someone who was taking their 4th dan and basically spent the entire time being thrown and punched and kicked.

[Shizentai]

This is very true! I should offer after training tomorrow! Thanks guys!

I've worked with someone who was taking their 4th dan and basically spent the entire time being thrown and punched and kicked.

haha! I have a feeling that I'll be tasting the dojo floor for at least one of my my two senpai's bunkai practice.

[bushido_man96]

I agree that offering to be a training partner would be a great way to help out. You'll likely end up learning something yourself along the way. Think of it as bonus training! Best of luck to your friends. It sounds like a tall order.

[sensei8]

Have you ever had to take a high-level rank test before? If so, what was it like?

Yes. It's no more different than any other test except that there is much more material to test for as you go up in rank. Also, the expectations are much higher than before, in as much as, the difficulty level increases across the board.

Also, in preparing for such a test, what is the best way that a kohai can help?

Be supportive. After that, there's nothing that a kohai can do. I sought out those that already possessed said rank. Mostly, I sought out my Dai-Soke, and in that, he'd furnish me with my training partners to assist me with all of the materials of said testing cycle. Final week leading up to a particular testing cycle, my Dai-Soke would put be through the paces...I call it....Hell Week...nonetheless, very vitally important.

I never worried about whether I might pass or fail; I let the test take care of itself. For me, worrying about whether I'd pass or fail meant that I cared more about rank than I cared about knowledge.

[hammer]

I never worried about whether I might pass or fail; I let the test take care of itself. For me, worrying about whether I'd pass or fail meant that I cared more about rank than I cared about knowledge.

I just stumbled across this statement...and it makes so much sense. Just hoping that I can take it heart for my test next week.