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One of the days a martial artists will always remember is the one in which he or she took their first rank test and (hopefully) was promoted from white belt to the first color belt in their style.
In some schools certain dates are put aside specifically for rank tests. Some of these will test all belts the same day and others will have special days for the advanced brown, red and black belts. It often depends on the size of the dojo and the number of students that will be testing.
There are schools in which spectators (usually family and friends) can come and watch the testing and others that have closed doors in which only those being tested that day may attend. How the testing itself is handled will vary according to the individual Sensei’s wishes.
As testing for American Freestyle advancement is what I am most familiar with, this will be the basis of my article.
When I began practicing the martial arts, I was not only the only female in class I was also the lonely white belt. My husband was at that time a brown belt and was often my instructor as our Sensei, Master Sandy Tomeselli 8th Dan was working with the advanced belts. A day had been chosen for testing but it was several months away.
As a beginner, I must admit my Sensei was intimidating at times and I never was one to be good at taking tests so I actually dreaded the rank test. Even though everyone from my Sensei down to the students closest to me in rank said I would do fine, self-doubt ruled.
Then one day during class, Sandy stayed at his desk doing paper work and my husband David took me through every step of the yellow belt test.
He started with the basic stances
1 Ready stance
2. Forward stance
3. Fighting stance
4. Horse stance
5 Back stance
After having me assume each of these several times from others (ready to forward, horse to back etc) we moved on to hand techniques.
1. Both forward and reverse punch
2. Chinese and American versions of the same punches
3. Chop
Our next step was the basic kicks
1. Snap
2. Side
3. Roundhouse
From there we went to Kata and I had to perform the first two “H” forms
Unbeknownst to me, Sandy had been watching the entire time for proper form, breathing, focus and concentration and it came as a complete surprise when at the end of class he made the announcement of my promotion to yellow belt.
This isn’t the normal way of testing but it is one possibility depending on your Sensei. It was the only time I was tested in such a manner.
About three months after this experience, testing day for the entire school came around and I had my first taste of formal testing. As David and two other brown belts were up for promotion to black belt, we had visiting 3rd Dan or higher men who came to participate in the testing. To advance from brown to black, there has to be three black belts of 3rd Dan or higher ranking to be able to sign the certificate.
This test was an all day affair in which all students up for advancement (including myself) participated. The entire class lined up and faced the three black belts who bowed us in.
From that point everyone from white to brown belt took the test. The color belts had to start with the yellow belt test and perform each and every aspect of that test. When it was finished the whites going for yellow sat down. Then the orange belt test begun and once again everyone holding a yellow belt or higher participated.
Many may wonder at making the advanced belts re-do tests they had already passed but during the course of the day, it became obvious that some of these belts had forgotten their basics and needed a refresher course. It also became clear that by making the higher belts do all the techniques and kata for the lower ranks, their endurance level was pushed to the limit.
Another point in this type of testing is that to teach the basics, you must be able to still do the basics. In our style brown belt and above are allowed to teach the lower belts as a way of learning not only patience but also the ability TO teach. Teaching is a learned art and the award of a black belt does NOT make you or anyone else a teacher.
As the students finished their rank test, they were then required to sit quietly and watch the others continue. This in itself was a test of self-discipline and was figured into the total score.
By the end of the day everyone was exhausted but there was an overall exhilaration at having earned the belt and not a single person felt it had been given or paid for. The difference between the expressions may seem slight but to the student the difference is enormous.
There is a monetary payment for testing that various between schools. In the Houston area the cost can be between $25 and $50. This fee is for the cost of purchasing the belt plus the special time the black belt is giving you and payment does not guarantee advancement in rank.
At the end of the testing each passing student will be called up to the Sensei individually and they will be handed their new belt as well as a signed certificate.
These two items become precious to the martial artists and many will have each certificate framed and there are even racks in which to display each belt that is earned. I and my husband have every belt and certificate hung on our dojo wall.
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