Why have belt tests?
Belt tests in Shinkyu Kenpo are designed to provide some valuable benefits to our students:

• Belt tests are a time to celebrate each student's progress and to reward hard work.
  
  
• Belt tests help build confidence in students as they learn to perform under pressure and while nervous.
  
  
• Belt tests provide a built-in training goal for students to work towards.
  
  
• The testing process provides a valuable learning tool for the students, as well as a means for the black belt panel to evaluate the student.
  
  
• Tests are designed to provide the student with a sense of accomplishment, as well as being an important milestone and "rite of passage".

When can I test for my next belt?
There is an old martial arts saying: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." This principle holds true for rank promotions. Instructors typically will not present a candidate for testing until they believe the student is ready, or should be ready. Students progress at different rates. In general, if a student works hard, attends classes regularly, practices outside of class, and reviews the material consistently, he or she can expect to progress up to the next belt level after they have learned the required material and have attended the amount of classes required for each belt level. As the student progresses to the advanced ranks, attitude, leadership, and general knowledge become more important as well.

Who will test me?
Students will appear before their Senfu and other instructors. (Some tests may take place with only Senfu on the panel.) Tests are scheduled outside of regular class hours, usually either Friday afternoon/evenings or Saturdays.

How can I get ready for my next belt test?
Preparation for belt testing involves the following:

• Learn the material. Candidates should have passed all three card tests and earned their stripes for the required techniques, and have mastered any additional material, such as the appropriate kata.
  
  
• Put in the time. Usually students will not be ready to progress in rank until they have spent curtain amount time training in class. As students advances in rant they will require more and more dojo hours per belt.
  
  
• Since belt tests are cumulative, students need to review all past material as well, beginning with yellow belt requirements.
  
  
• Do your Student Home Training Course every day. Remember, your first test is the Physical. You do not pass this, you do not pass.
  
  
• Ask instructors if they are willing to “pre-test” you to see what areas still need additional work.
  
  
• Orange belt candidates and above: Must bring a non-student friend to be with you during the test as your support person. They will help you count during your physical and give you water when needed.
  
  
• Blue belt candidates and above: will need to choose student to be their uke and train with them in and out of class before the test.
  
  
• Red Belt candidates and above: study for written and oral test.
  
  
• Black Belt candidates: prepare thesis; choose uke and begin training at least several months prior to test; meet with instructors for additional requirements.
  
  
• Be ready to work hard during the test. We want you to pass and to have the satisfaction of knowing that you did your best, and that you accomplished something worthwhile.
  
  
• Keep in mind there is no guarantee that you will pass your test. If we feel that you are not giving us 110% during the test you will fail, even if you remembered all your techniques and kata. Shinkyu Kenpo is more than memorization of techniques and kata, we are commitment and self-discipline. If a student does not display these traits they will NOT be allowed to advance in rank.
  
  *** Reminder: you will be judged on physical fitness, knowledge of material, application of techniques, skill, intensity, and overall attitude.
  
  

Do students ever advance in rank without testing?
Sometimes Soke or a students Senfu may informally test students without warring. In addition, if a student has earned three stripes and has learn their kata, has demonstrate the proper attitude, self-discipline and commitment we are looking for in Shinkyu Kenpo students, Soke may authorize a promotion without testing. This is very rare and usually only happens because of special circumstances.

What is the testing fee?

Kyu		Dan (Black Belt)		Master
Kukyu, Yellow Belt $30.00 Hachikyu, Gold Belt $30.00 Shichikyu, Orange Belt $30.00 Rokukyu, Purple Belt $40.00 Gokyu, Blue Belt $40.00 Shikyu, Green Belt $40.00 Sankyu, Red Belt $50.00 Nikyu, Brown Belt $50.00 Ichikyu, Adv Brown Belt $50.00		Shodan, 1° Black Belt $300.00 Nidan, 2° Black Belt $300.00 Sandan, 3° Black Belt $300.00 Yondan, 4° Black Belt $350.00 Godan, 5° Black Belt $400.00 Rokudan, 6° Black Belt $450.00 Nanadan, 7° Black Belt $500.00 Hachidan, 8° Black Belt $500.00 Kudan, 9° Black Belt $500.00		1° Master $500.00 2° Master $500.00 3° Master $500.00 ° Master $500.00 5° Master $500.00

Advice for students about to test:

• Demonstrate improvement in those areas that Senfu has been concentrating on.
  Is there something that the instructors always seem to be correcting? Is Senfu, for example, reminding you “elbow up” or “hands in pockets” during your kata? Improvement will impress the instructors far more than trying to dazzle them with what you have always done well. Not correcting your mistakes will make it appear as if you are refusing to accept and apply instruction.

• Be strong.
  A strong kiai and a relaxed but confident presentation are essential. Look as if you are really fighting when you do your kata. Make your hands-on look effective. Convince the panel that your techniques are strong. Muster all of your determination and power giving it 110% effort. Every kiai should sound fierce, as if you were about to conquer the most formidable opponent.

• What about humility?
  Humility is not weakness. One can be humble and yet a fierce warrior. Do not confuse weakness or tentativeness with humility. Let your respectful demeanor communicate your humility.

• Don’t let anyone know if you make a mistake.
  Avoid sighs, head shaking, eye-rolling, groans, or any displays of emotion should you make a mistake. Do not inform the testing panel of your blunders, real or imagined. Keep going. Make no expression of dismay, no matter what happens. Practice this over and over before the test.

• If you make a mistake, make up for it.
  We all make mistakes; it is what you do after a mistake that will show us who you are. Never give up. Keep going no matter what. Don’t show weakness. Increase your intensity. Make each kiai louder. Double your effort. Make the rest of your test shine. Overcome any mistakes—never let them overcome you.

• Know the rules.
  
  • Do not ask to test. If you have been given a "Letters of Intent to Promote", and feel you are ready, sign and return the letter. Show up at the test and do your best, even if you don't feel fully ready. You would not have been asked to test unless your instructors and Senfu feel you are ready
    
    
  • Our test are privet and not for public viewing. We do it this way not because we want to hide anything, but in case a student fails their test. Some students take their test very seriously and get nervous during testing. If they fail, we don't want to compound their disappointment with an audience, plus this give then a way to save face.
    
    Graduation will provide an opportunity for friends and family members to share in the student's accomplishments. In a way, belt Graduations are similar to a piano or dance recital in that they showcase each student's achievements and give him/her the opportunity to perform and "shine".
    
    
  • Remember: testing and belt promotion is like a graduation from one grade to another. You've already done the hard work in class; now is the time for you to shine and for you to demonstrate to everyone what you've accomplished.
    
    
  • Arrive early, looking sharp in your best gi (you might want to order a better quality gi for graduation) and stretch out. Run through each kata and any other material that needs warming up.
    
    
  • Make sure your support person arrives early and that you have adequate water and a face towel.
    
    
  • Make sure your uke arrives early as well so that you can have adequate practice time together before the test date.
    
    
  • Be especially respectful. You are not just being tested on technique and kata.
    
    
  • Stand at Parade Rest Stance whenever you are not performing a technique or kata. You should never be out of stance, unless you have been asked to be seated.
    
    
  • Expect surprises. You may be tested on material you’ve never seen or done. Try your best. It is not your place to inform the panel that you’ve never done something before. They know.
    
    
  • You may be asked to repeat something you've already done. This is a chance for you to do it even better, so take full advantage of the opportunity.
    
    
  • After the test, celebrate everyone’s achievements. Pat yourself on the back. Learn from any mistakes and no matter how you did on the test, go out and celebrate!
    
    

PARENTS REMINDER
No under aged student is allowed to wait outside. They must stay inside until they are picked up. We are very strict about this. Please understand that the student's safety is our major concern.