Eligibility
Students need to attend a MINIMUM of 24 lessons in no less than 3 months for each belt from white to brown senior to be eligible for belt testing. The minimum for ranks between red and black belt is 32 lessons in no less than 4 months.  Time between Dan ranks after achieving an adult-level black belt depends on a student’s attendance and on whether they are actively teaching.
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Please refer to the testing board for testing dates and eligible testers. Being on the testing board does not guarantee that a student will be testing. It simply means that the student is on track to test if their attendance remains regular and if they can demonstrate the required material for advancement. This is to be determined by the instructors.

Belt Testing Rules
  1. Each tester should try to have at least two people watching, but more are certainly welcome!
  2. No food or drinks (other than water) are allowed in the dojang.
  3. Doboks (uniforms) must be clean and neat.
  4. Students must have the required # of classes and Instructor’s approval.
  5. All monthly homework and “Intent to Promote” forms for Youth and Children must have been completed and turned in prior to the belt test.
  6. All students attending a belt test – even if they are not personally testing – must wear their doboks (uniforms).
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the belt test is scheduled to begin in order to complete paperwork in the office, warm-up and stretch.

Belt Test Fees
There is a $20 charge per tester for each colored belt test up to Black Belt.
Black Belt Tests cost $275 and Child and Youth Black Belt Stripe Tests cost $65 each. Unless otherwise requested, testing fees are automatically charged to the account on file the night of the belt test.

Guest Etiquette for Belt Tests
  • Conversations should be kept to a minimum so as not to disturb the students testing.
  • Spectators, guests and parents of students should follow the rules and etiquette of the dojang.
  • Please remove your shoes before entering the training floor.
  • If a child becomes unruly and distracting, please remove them from the training floor so as not to disturb the students testing.
  • We encourage you to take photos and/or video during belt tests or other events, however, flash photography is NOT permitted.  Flashes are not only distracting to the students, they can also ruin other peoples’ pictures.  Please turn your camera’s flash off before taking pictures.
  • Unnecessary talking between the students and spectators is not allowed during belt testing.
  • Please turn your cell phones off (or at least put them on vibrate) during the belt test so as not to disturb the students testing.

Testers will be graded in a variety of categories:
  • Knowledge:  (Student Creed, 4 Rules of Concentration, Korean Counting, History/Lineage as discussed in class/ Flag, etc.)  These are evaluated according to expectations for each tester’s belt rank.
  • Kicking & Combinations
  • Target Kicking
  • Falling Skills  (Side Fall, Rolling, Front Tap, Back Tap, Rolling Side Fall & Flip – Belt appropriate)
  • Current Belt Self-Defense Techniques
  • Past Belt Self-Defense Techniques
  • Assertiveness & Control (with kicks, breaks and self-defense techniques).
  • Breaking  (if applicable)
  • Sparring Technique – (Belt appropriate)
  • Etiquette
  • Effort

Students are testing because they are ready – (based on what their instructors have seen in class).  Because we don’t allow students who aren’t ready to test, the only way a student will generally fail a belt test is if they simply don’t try.   Belt tests are a demonstration of ability, effort, self-control and enthusiasm.  If students give their test their best effort and energy and they’ll do fine.

Testers’ highest level of respect is expected during their belt tests.  (Always remember to reply, “Yes, sir,” “Yes, ma’am,”  “No, sir,” etc. when addressed or asked to do something during your belt test.)  (One way we look for effort is with your ki-haps.  Be sure also to ki-hap strongly during target kicks, self-defense and sparring!)

Testers should bow to the instructors and partners (if applicable) both before and after any activity.
If testers have sparring gear, they should bring it to their belt tests.

Belt test scoring is as follows:
5 = Exceeded expectations (based on what instructors have seen in class)
4 = Met expectations (based on what instructors have seen in class)
3 = Performed below expectations (based on what instructors have seen in class)
1-2 = Fail

If a student earns a 1, a 2, or 3 or more 3’s during a belt test, they will be awarded a belt to reduce embarrassment or awkwardness during the test however, they will not be allowed to keep their new belt until an instructor determines that they are ready to advance.