How much is new on each belt test?

[skribs]

Every school I've been involved with has had a curriculum that includes rote material beyond the forms. Whether it's "Exercises" (mini-forms), or technique combinations and one-step defenses, there's always been something. I know in some other schools, testing is more of a formality to get your belt, and there's not much in the test besides forms, sparring, and breaking.

I'm curious how much is new at each belt or stripe (or whatever interval you test). Is it just a new form? Are there other things memorized for the test? Or other techniques and challenges that are expected at each new level?

As I've mentioned in other threads, I'm trying to move away from a comprehensive curriculum into more of a framework. One consequence of having a less defined curriculum is that testing material is also less defined.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Forms, sparring, and breaking always. One steps and various sorts of demonstrations depending on time constraints. We don't do tests, really. We already know you can perform the material at an acceptable level. Because you've BEEN performing it at that level. It's just a chance to show off and have some fun. If nerves get the better of them, they keep repeating whatever it was till they succeed, even if that's a different day. I've only ever seen that happen with the mandatory breaks, and not all that often for those.

 

[skribs]

Forms, sparring, and breaking always. One steps and various sorts of demonstrations depending on time constraints. We don't do tests, really. We already know you can perform the material at an acceptable level. Because you've BEEN performing it at that level. It's just a chance to show off and have some fun. If nerves get the better of them, they keep repeating whatever it was till they succeed, even if that's a different day. I've only ever seen that happen with the mandatory breaks, and not all that often for those.

How many tests and how frequent are the tests in your school?

 

[Dirty Dog]

We do tests whenever there's someone ready to advance. Generally that's every couple months. We have 10 geup ranks, Chodanbo, and 9 Dan ranks, which is pretty standard for the TKD world.