Black Belt Pre-Test & Evaluation
Dear Advanced Brown Belt,
A Black Belt Pre-Test and Evaluation
will be held approximately 6 weeks before the actual Black
Belt Test. This test will evaluate brown I green students
and above to see what each student needs to work on to prepare
for the black belt test and to indicate the optimal time
for testing (fall or spring) according to the judgment of
the black belt panel. This is an optional exam which can
be taken to give the student the experience and helpful
evaluation information with which to improve one's training.
However, this pretest is mandatory for those students who
hope to test in the next black belt test. These students
should be prepared to show all required katas, self defense
and one-steps, etc. for Black Belt.
This test is designed to give the student
an indication from the senior black belts of the length
of time necessary to prepare for the black belt test. This
does not guarantee that those testing at the pre-test will
indeed pass the final test; only that the panel feels the
student will have had an adequate time to prepare for the
final test.
If you wish to take the black belt pre-test
for experience then you may do so. However, please realize
that at this level, many students do not pass the first
time they pre-test for black belt.
At the pretest, an overall picture of
the black belt exam will be given which is usually a 3 hour
test. The first hour will cover training of the body; the
second hour will cover training of the mind; and the final
hour will test the student's spirit to see if the student
can endure beyond the physical and the mental aspects. If
you intend to participate in this exam, please ask permission
from your Sensei and mark your test form as pre-test (This
pre-test will also count as a regular brown belt test for
brown belt rank if you are due for your next promotion.)
I wish you the best in your preparations, knowing that your
consistent and hard training will help you reach your goals
in Karate.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Bryan, Kyoshi
