De Anza Shotokan Karate Club

Testing Requirements

The other pages in this section list the testing requirements for all ranks in the PCKDA. Note that each page only lists the new requirements for each level, but all tests are an accumulation of all previous tests. In other words, not only are students responsible for what is listed on the testing requirements of this test, but also for the requirements for all the tests previous to it.

Note:
Knowing and learning the testing requirements is the student's responsibility. The teacher's responsibility is to help you learn and improve in a safe environment. If there is something you should know for your test and it hasn't been explained to you, ask for help. Remember, you are responsible for all cumulative testing requirements. If there was something from a previous test that was weak, improve on it before asking to test again. Requirements build upon each other and trying to build new techniques on bad ones is a bad idea. Be warned, people have failed belt tests because they were asked to perform requirements from previous tests and either could not or did so with diminished skill.

Tips on testing

There is no secret to passing your next belt test. If you work hard and diligently, you will likely pass your next test. However, you should try to not only pass the test, but to have a strong test. The requirements for each belt test are the foundation for all belt tests that come after it. There are two things that are key to having a strong test: good spirit and good technique.

Spirit is everything. In Funakoshi's niju kun, he says that spirit is more important than technique, and this is especially true on tests. Any time you are doing karate, you must do it with full commitment and confidence, even if your technique is poor. Do not forget to kiai. Whole test groups have failed because their spirit and kiai were poor. Also, there have been tests where one or two people with strong spirit and strong kiai have brought up the spirit and performance level of the others taking the test.

Stay focused. Pay attention to what the test administrators are telling you. Sometimes, you are requested to do things on the test you have not done in class before and by paying close attention, you will not miss the details needed to perform adequately. Also, be responsive to the test administrators. This goes along with good spirit. If you are told to do something, respond appropriately with "Hai" or "Osu." This will show that you are paying attention and that you understand. If you do not understand, ask for clarification. Do not ask how to perform a technique during the test, only which specific technique(s) is/are being asked for.

Every so often, treat a regular class or workout like it was test night. Turn your performance up a notch. Turn your kiai up a notch. This helps to build your endurance and spirit up and gets you used to being able to focus on the task at hand.

Do not procrastinate on learning your new requirements after gaining new rank. The only secret to karate is practice, and lots of it. The sooner you know what is expected of you on your next test, the sooner you can begin practicing. More time to practice means better technique and better confidence, and thus, better spirit.

Practice outside of class. If you can, learn your new techniques outside of class as well. By knowing the rough movements of new techniques before coming to class, valuable time with the instructor can be spent on improving your technique rather than learning it from scratch. By practicing outside of class, you reinforce both good and bad habits. This is good because you will perform the techniques with more confidence than if you did not practice at all. Your spirit will be stronger for it.

Learn the Japanese terms for all the techniques you do, even if it is not required for your next test. Eventually, your belt tests will be administered with all the techniques named in Japanese. Much like learning how to perform the techniques, the sooner and more often you practice knowing them in Japanese, the easier it will be for you on the test.

Read. Find information about Shotokan, or karate in general, and read it. Starting at the middle kyu, written tests are administered, and at the later kyu oral tests are administered as well. Testers can expect questions about history and philosophy as well as technical questions. Only by studying can you understand and respond to these questions. Also, studying often provides the bonus of giving extra insight into the techniques themselves.

Train with as many instructors as you have available to you. Each instructor has something to teach you, it is up to you to learn what it is. Sometimes, different instructors can explain a technique in a different way that will make more sense to you than another's explanation. Also, the more you train with others, the the better picture of your technical level and improvement the testers will have and can give you a more fair evaluation.

Do not rush yourself, and do not test if you do not feel ready. Karate is a life long pursuit. It is never ending and there is no final goal. As such, don't be in a hurry to test. It is far better to have a strong test than to just barely pass, or not to pass at all. Don't forget that those who have less rank than you see you as an example of your rank. If your test was poor, you set a poor example. If your test is strong, you set a good example. In addition, since every test is cumulative with the last, having a strong test provides you with a stronger foundation to build upon and helps you more in the long run.

Lastly, do not forget: practice hard and have strong spirit.