Rank Advancement (Belt Testing) Information

Rank Advancement Information

We conduct rank advancement (belt testing) at the end of January, April, July, and October.

In order to be eligible to test, students must have all of the stripes on their belt. They must have 7 Stripes on one side and 5 on the other.

Stripes:

  1. White: Board Breaking (Only on one side of belt)
  2. Yellow: Physical (Only on one side of belt)
  3. Blue: Self-defense
  4. Green: Sparring
  5. Black: Poomsae (Forms)
  6. Gray: Technical (Basics)
  7. Orange: Kicking

Acquiring stripes is the responsibility of the student. This encourages the student to gain responsibility and confidence and allows them to advance at their own pace. If they feel they are ready to test for a stripe, they must talk to one of the instructors. We will test them during class if we can, but testing usually happens before or after classes. Each stripe test takes about 5 minutes.

In order to test for the first stripe, all the student needs to know is the correct movements.

To get the second (mastery) stripe, they must have practiced 50 times without mistake (does not need to be in a row). They can then ask to test for that stripe, and we will evaluate if their technique has been mastered enough to earn their second stripe.

Once the student has all of their stripes and we feel they are ready physically and mentally to test, we will give them a belt test application. All stripes need to be earned and the belt test application must be filled out and returned by the deadline for each session. That deadline is detailed at the beginning of each session in the "New Session Information" page that we have available at the front counter.

Belt tests are open to anyone who would like to attend to watch and support the testers. This is an opportunity for family and friends to see how far the student has progressed in their Taekwondo skills.

Double Testing

Double testing allows a student to work hard to learn and accomplish all the stripes for both ranks and then test twice at the end of that session, once for each belt rank. There are a few requirements that must be met before a student is eligible to double test. If the student is interested in double testing, please talk to one of the instructors and we can get the student lined out.

Students can choose for themselves to double test one time between White Belt and Red Belt. They must let an instructor know at the beginning of the new session in order double test.

In rare situations where we feel a student's skill and dedication far outweighs their rank, we as instructors may invite a student to participate in an additional double belt test. This is purely up to the instructors, and students are not allowed to request it.