Black Belt Grading and Duration

[bushido_man96]

We don't set a time limit or constraint on testing; it takes as long as it takes, depending on the number of people testing. Those testing for 1st dan tend to take the longest, as they are required to do all the colored belt forms, all the one-steps, then their own form, testing sparring, and board breaks.

A few years ago, our CI added a new requirement for test eligibility -- students had to re-test over all their kyu-level material and show a dan-level proficiency with them. Once they have done so to his satisfaction, he awards them an "advanced brown belt", or brown belt with black stripe running down the middle. This is one of the ways he has trimmed the black belt test down to a 2 hour (or so) test.

When our students test as a recommended (or provisional) black belt for the full 1st dan, they have to demonstrate all forms and all one-steps. This makes for a bit longer of a testing, but it's a good thing. We don't want 1st dans that have to ask the low ranks how to do their forms. This gives them more incentive to up their practice on their own time. And I agree, they need to be able to demonstrate the material at a black belt level. The idea behind 1st dan and up getting random forms tossed out to them at testings is to make sure they've kept up on all the material, as well.