Testing public, or private at your school?

[girlbug2]

Strictly speaking about the adult students, our testing tends to be a private affair. Anybody can look in through the glass walls to see the test going on of course, but nobody is permitted to come inside just to sit or stand around and watch.

Yesterday there was a green belt test I would've liked to watch, as a few of the students in that rank are friends of mine. Not sure the reason behind this privacy. It seemed rude to stand at the windows and gawk, so I didn't.

The kids OTOH have testing as a family affair, with people seated at the perimiter taking pictures and such.

How is testing handled at your school?

 

[Ken Morgan]

It’s wide open. We hold a seminar in the morning and grade in the afternoon normally, so there are many people hanging around, all watching from behind. The only rule is, do not in any way be disruptive. Generally you can get upwards of 100 people in the room, and you can hear a pin drop.

 

[Blindside]

In Kenpo our white to green belt tests were open, our brown and black were closed. All our tests are for the individual, we didn't do group tests.

 

[bushidomartialarts]

Our tests are always open, even to the public. Reason is simple: since public presentation is a huge fear for many Americans, we want them to face that fear and overcome it. Especially for the kids (I have teens who have reported amusement at how college interview panels weren't nearly as intimidating as their junior black belt boards).

One exception: our black belt test includes an hour-long session where we literally try to break our students. Not torture break, but if we notice one has an anger issue, we'll push him til he blows. We had two brothers who had trouble cooperating, so we pushed that hot button. It's part of the experience, but shouldn't be public. We do that behind closed doors.

 

[Kacey]

Our tests are open, and students are encouraged to invite family and friends, and to bring cameras of all varieties. For many people, participation in a martial art is not possible without family support and/or participation, and this is a way for the families and friends to see what they have been supporting.

Our classes are likewise open to anyone who wishes to observe. In neither setting has disruption ever been a problem.

 

[terryl965]

Our testing is open as well, we belive people have the right to have love one's around during there special moment.

 

[Big Don]

Our colored belt testing, Yellow through Green, is open, our Brown and Black Belt testing is closed. The students that are testing are allowed to invite two people each. The Black Belts are allowed to invite people, however, in practice, the only one who does is our Sifu.

 

[Bruno@MT]

In Genbukan, tests are public to all members. Non members not allowed.

 

[Kacey]

For those whose testings are closed, why are they closed? In the specific part that bushidomartialarts mentioned, I understand the theory - but for the rest of you, what is the reasoning behind having closed testings?

 

[Big Don]

For those whose testings are closed, why are they closed? In the specific part that bushidomartialarts mentioned, I understand the theory - but for the rest of you, what is the reasoning behind having closed testings?

In case someone were to fail their test, there would be a smaller audience.

 

[Danny T]

Other than Black all testing is open. Black is done on an individual bases and the person testing can invite anyone they chose or it can be a closed test. Have never had a closed test as yet.

 

[Bruno@MT]

Can't speak for others, but in Genbukan, the teachings are private as well. We don't share them outside of the dojo. This is similar to how other traditional Japanese systems function. since an exam is typicalls a demonstration of the full curriculum, it makes sense for this to be private as well.

 

[Blindside]

In our case there are portions of the test we want to be unknown to the students, opening the test would eliminate that surprise. Also there can be some pretty personal moments that happen with testees that they probably would not want shared with the general public.

 

[Balrog]

Ours are open to the public. We encourage our students to invite their friends to come watch the test and if someone walks in off the street, we invite them to have a seat and watch the fun!

 

[Supra Vijai]

Well I haven't made it up the ranks to the BB test yet but so far it's been "public" in the sense of the entire Dojo is present. We don't invite random friends or family to come watch. I don't know if it's a rule, none of us have ever thought to ask or invite anyone.

When I first started there was a set grading night usually once every 3 months and all students would get split off into their respective rank to grade on their material. Then in recent times it's shifted to become the whole class is the grading. You get assessed on your performance over the 3 months between gradings and during the entire class as opposed to being judged on a 15 minute or 20 minute period. Again in that format everyone is together and at the same time doing their own thing. AFAIK that applies up till Brown.

 

[Blade96]

People are allowed to come in and watch at our school.

 

[MPC1257]

Anyone is allowed to watch our yellow and purple belt testing. The brown and black belt tests are closed to all except the testees, other brown or black belts and our instructor.

 

[rlobrecht]

Our school is primarily children, with all the adult students having children in the program. Our classes and tests are mixed ages. The test is largely ceremonial, so it's a public affair. Family and friends in the back taking pictures, and video, etc. No one is actually allowed to participate in the test, unless they've already performed all the testing material in a pre-test during class.

Rick

 

[dancingalone]

I am aware of some schools that have a very high level of physical contact in sparring during their black belt exams. For obvious reasons, these are kept private.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

All our tests are as open as our classes themselves. We don't really have a glassed-in area or anything that separates the dojo from the front door - just a bench for vistors to sit on (usually parents for the kids' classes, otherwise no one there). We have a big front window - not a lot of foot traffic and those that do pass by don't seem to interested in what we do. We're pretty much what you see is what you get.