Rank Testing

What? Traditionally, there were no ranks between white belt and
black belt. The student trained under the master for years, and
when the master felt the student was trained sufficiently, he
was granted the rank of Black Belt. In the Shin-Toshi system,
we have ten ranks which are earned between white belt and
Black Belt to help motivate and to provide feedback while
training.

When? Rank advancement will testing will vary depending upon the progress of the students. Most beginning students test every 2 to 4 months–however, this may vary for each individual student. Testing will be done in a group setting (with those other students who are prepared to advance) and will be announced in class a few weeks before the actual date. Students who are ready to test will be given a testing form at that time.

Why? Testing and achieving rank advancements allows the students to demonstrate what they have learning and feel a justifiable pride in their accomplishments. In addition, an essential part of martial arts training is learning mental and physical focus. For the majority of students, testing for rank is a somewhat stressful experience. Yet, testing is done in a safe environment that helps the students learn to face and cope with this stress and anxiety.

How? Evaluation for readiness to test for rank advancement is done by your instructor. If you feel you are ready to test for rank advancement and have not been invited to do so by your instructor, talk to her about it. Find out if it is just an oversight or if there are specific things you need to work on.

If you have been invited to test, it is very likely that you will pass, or perhaps pass with specific areas of probation to correct. If, for some reason, you fail the test, your testing fee would be refunded and you would be expected to be prepared to test at the next test.

Cost? There is a moderate testing fee associated with testing for rank advancement. This fee is related to the rank of the student ($15 for yellow, $20 for gold and orange).

Expectations? A frequent question from students is “When can I test for rank?” and “Am I ready?”. The essential key to advancement in rank is performance improvement. Students do not enter the studio with equal abilities. Some students find balance, coordination, and memorization of the forms very challenging. Others don’t. In the beginning ranks, we take into serious consideration the natural abilities of the students, and expect to see effort and improvement. Advancement in rank should not be viewed as a race with other students, but as a personal challenge.