Extensive Testing

[Nidan Melbourne]

Recently I was asked to be an examiner for a Black Belt Grading; Total Duration - 28 Hours which was spread out over 3 Days. 

It was the Clubs Largest  ever grading for Adults attempting for either Black Belt (Shodan-Ho) or a Dan-Grade. There were a total of 45 Candidates that were eligible for promotion with a total of 15 Instructors (10 Club Instructors + 5 Visiting Instructors)

Now how did we manage to fairly evaluate all the candidates? 

• 2nd Kyu Students (12 Total) - Tested Seperately with the "Senior Graded" Candidates ran it. 
  • As the Guest Instructor, I observed both the 2nd Kyus and the "Senior Graded" Candidates running it. 
  • Senior Graded Candidates = 5th Dan and Above (12 Candidates)
• 1st Kyu Students (12 Total) - Tested with ALL the Dan Grades 
  • They had more breaks than the other candidates 
• Dan Grades - Complete ALL Required aspects for Promotion 
  • 1 - Shodan-Ho FOR Shodan
  • 1 - Shodan FOR Nidan
  • 1 - Nidan FOR Sandan
  • 3- Sandan FOR Yondan
  • 3 - Yondan FOR Godan
  • 4 - Godan FOR Rookudan
  • 4 - Rookudan FOR Nanadan
  • 4 - Nanadan FOR Hachidan

 

Pass Requirements 

• 2nd Kyu 
  • 75% "Pass" 
  • No Hurdle Requirements
• 1st Kyu 
  • 75% "Pass" 
  • Hurdle Requirement
    • "Acceptable" Fitness/Health Screening
    • 10 Teaching Credits (Signed Off) 
    • 90% Correct Theory Exam 
• Black Belt (Shodan-Ho to Sandan) 
  • 80% "Pass" 
  • Hurdle Requirement
    • "Acceptable" Fitness/Health Screening
    • 30 Teaching Credits (Signed Off) 
    • 98% Correct Theory Exam 
    • "Atttitude" Portion of Grading***
• Black Belt (Yondan+) 
  • 80% Pass
  • Hurdle Requirement
    • Medical Clearance
    • "Acceptable" Fitness/Health Screening
    • 50 Teaching Credits (Signed Off) 
    • WKF Referee (Local Level Minimum)
    • No Mistakes - Theory Exam 
    • No Ego due to Rank/Experience

***Attitude Portion***  

This aspect of the grading; looks at the following

• How you persevere through a Difficult or Long Grading
• How you interact with others (age/rank/gender)
• How you treat gradings/classes 
• Arrival/Departure times for Grading
• How you look after your Uniform 
  • Did you bring a Fresh Gi to the next day? 
  • Did you wash your Gi? 

If you Fail this portion of the Grading; no matter what else you do, you will not be promoted to the next rank. 

 

*Grading Format*

• Friday 1400 - 2200 (2nd Kyu's Complete their part today) 
  • Fitness/Health Screening
  • Teaching 
  • Throws/Takedowns
  • Students to Check White Board for Continuance to Saturday 
• Saturday 0900 - 1900 
  • Teaching 
  • Kihon 
  • Combinations
  • Kata
  • Theory Exam
  • Students to Check White Board for Continuance to Sunday
• Sunday 0900 - 1900
  • Pre-Arranged Sparring
  • Bunkai
  • Kyogi
  • Kumite
  • Students who Complete Today
    • Dinner at Post-Grading 
    • Awarding of Rank (If Successful)

The Chief Instructor explained that for Sunday they do a minimum of 50 Rounds of Kumite. But when he (or majority of the instructors) are satisfied he will stop rounds and formally end the grading. Once ranks meet their grading requirements (CI doesn't tell them how many rounds they need to complete) they have an option of sitting out and stretching or continuing to help the other students. 

 

At the end of the Grading; and we finished making our notes and discussing it with the CI. We decided to hold off on awarding any grades above 3rd Dan as there were that many notes written for each candidate that the CI needed to sit down read them so he could be informed of what we suggested. 

Final Results 

• 40 Candidates Passed 
• 5 Candidates Failed 
  • 1 x 6th Dan Candidate Failed
  • All 7th Dan Candidates Failed 

Unfortunately 2 of the Candidates that Failed - and they were both due to the "Attitude" Section of the grading. One of which was not invited back after Friday Night, and the other on Saturday. 

I sat down with all the candidates that failed, and walked through the feedback from the instructors and to explain why they weren't successful. They were generally very receptive to why they weren't successful. 

• Biggest reason for failing - Pre-Arranged/Bunkai/Kyogi (Self-Defence Routines) and Kata.

Edited 22 hours ago by Nidan Melbourne

[sensei8]

Great post, Nidan Melbourne!! Thanks for your post!!

Brings me back to the good old days of the SKKA Testing Cycle; thorough, long, and strict.