Students will test a maximum of every three months until red belt, but generally will test two to three times per year.
Grading Tests are held on a Saturday morning every March, June, September and December. The examination takes approximately two hours depending on the size of the groups. Students are tested in groups of similar rank and experience and are not tested individually; white belts test with white belts, orange with orange, etc. A full list of testing requirements is available to review. The test is held just like a typical class and proper discipline and etiquette is expected.
Students are eligible to test after meeting the initial time and material requirements for the next rank. Other factors that can affect eligibility include effort in class, behavior at home and performance in school. Most of the time, the younger the student, especially for the 5 and 6 year old children, the longer it takes to prepare them for testing. Testing requirements are the same for both children and adults.