Failing a Belt Test | ART OF ONE DOJO

What happens if you fail a belt test? What does it mean? How do you continue? Sometimes failing a test, whether it be for for black belt or a regular colored belt, really feels terrible. If we have the right attitude, we can navigate this challenge and continue working. Today we talk about what happens when you fail a belt test.
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[@tednight7019]

I failed my yellow belt test when I was a kid. I quit (out of humiliation and embarrassment) and joined another gym the very next day. The second gym was actually harder than the first but they were far better at making sure the students were ready and prepared before putting them into the Lion's Den.

[@andylindsey]

I don't recall having failed a belt test in the past. Thankfully, my sensei would wait for the right time when I was ready.

[@emanualavery2297]

Failure is a lesson that gives you room to improve.There's only one door either you stay in or walk out.

[@gregsimon3527]

Or take one's money to the dojo competition....

[@alanbarnes8901]

I failed the yellow when I was 8. It was beyond humiliating but my parents pressed me to go back. However the constant bullying by the other students and to a certain extent the instructors became unbearable and eventually my parents let me quit when they actually saw this for themselves. Honestly if you fail the lower belt levels you have a target on your back. My Dad said something to the effect "We're actually paying for this?" before cussing out the instructors as not only were they complicit with the bullying, they seemed to be encouraging it.

[@rxj0765]

Failing Belt tests is a sign of a quality school in my opinion.

[@gregsimon3527]

or bankruptcy

[@oskarjohansson5757]

True in my school is not expensive to do a test moore than feelings.

[@gregsimon3527]

I presume most have had a better martial arts experience but for my son it was 4 months of waiting around forever for class to get started, pointless boring lectures, then push-ups and jumping jacks for 200+/month with barely any actual martial arts. And then they failed my son on his first test. I should have seen the red flags earlier, but I guess I thought they were doing the Karate Kid fence painting thing.

[@mikebaldwin5978]

Sorry that happened to you. I learned the hard way to find a club that has a trial period so one has time to spot potential red flags. Once I tried a gym where it became obvious pretty quick that the trainers were spending most of their time dedicated to four of five-star pupils that they deemed worthy (one was the owner's son) and the rest of the class pretty much just warmed the bench. Needless to say, me and my son didn't hang around very long.

[@dro2204]

Never failed a belt test. Our instructor would NOT put you on the testing list unless you were ready. I’ve always said, the test means nothing because you’ve already done it all in class. At least that’s how I feel about a good martial arts school

[@tonyforte6053]

Never failed a test but definitely denied testing. When I was up for my 3rd degree black belt the attitude of the dojo changed others were being tested and getting rank as black belt.. I helped out all the time...waited almost a year plus and then finally came to the conclusion not gonna happen here. Few years later I'm now a 3rd degree and I'm happy with my decision in leaving that dojo

[@sablephilips9327]

Failure is expected in the higher belt categories but if one fails the yellow it's pretty much game over, especially for children. Other students avoid the if not outright bully the "loser" and the instructors usually harass the student either overtly or in a passive aggressive fashion. I've seen it time and time again.

[@JasonBonner-i3k]

Watching this has given me insight, there have been times I felt not ready especially coming from another school and system. My instructors felt different and I have been skipped rank every time I test and then the two knee surgery's .... I was out for two years and once back in the do jang I felt lost. My instructors decided to put me in a instructor role and I even though I felt not ready I made it to red belt

[@scott5709]

I’ve never failed a single Taekwondo promotion test and now I’m a certified black belt. I practiced and studied a lot.

[@gnichols5051]

The last dojo my child attended cost $200/month (not counting equipment and testing fees) and I found the average cost to be at least $150. One could just hire a personal trainer for that amount of money. Personally I think that's way to costly an activity for advancement to be "subjective and personal" and dependent on whether the instructor likes you or got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.

[@Waishwhw72i19sjx7]

Never saw anyone at my school fail a test for white to yellow to orange. Just showing up for attendance and trying will basically get you the belts. Plus, because they're just starting, that "new exciting thing" motivation is still there. Moving from orange to purple means you're officially no longer a beginner AND sparring is now a mandatory part of your curriculum. It means you are at the dojo twice as long and getting trained twice as hard. I did see a handful of people fail from orange to purple. The expectations really skyrocket right in there specifically because they NEED you physically fit and flexible to spar.

[@TerrenceCooney]

I quit a gym (and took my money to another studio) after failing the green belt. I was the only one that failed that day but was never given a reason why. I was extremely pissed especially since I knew the material. My guess is because the sensei had some Master Yoda dude from the Martial Arts Jedi Temple come over to "guest judge" the event and they had to fail somebody for appearances. Anyway Sayonara...

[@TheDondajonhon46]

Failing a belt test can be the greatest thing that can happen to you. I think that being humble is very important in the Martial Arts, beacuse even if you pass, the training never ends.

[@christophervelez1561]

Never had a belt test but I always worried about being able to perform at that level. I’m in BJJ and just got promoted to brown belt after 9 years of BJJ. I had more anxiety than any other belt because of the need to win matches and sparring. But I’ve gotten more comfortable with my sparring and am doing my first tournament at brown and in a lil over a year since covid.

[@robcubed9557]

I train BJJ as well, 4-stripes on my white belt. I HATE getting stripes because I have the same anxiety over "needing" to submit everyone that's a lower belt. This is compounded by the fact that I'm not a large person and have been beaten by lower ranking students who were simply larger and stronger. If anything, I'm happy to not have my belt advanced so that people have lower expectations of me and I can surprise them by executing an advanced technique.

[@SenseiEmmett]

Ive failed many tests over the years, its part of the journey. The toughest fail was when I achieved 2nd kyu and then left system for almost 4 years, when I came back I had to retest for the same rank and failed, however I stuck at it as we do, and achieved it for the second time a few months later, but I understood that the belt represented a certain level of skill, and with a break I was rusty and hadnt met the standard i previously had, so was downgraded til I did get back to that point

[@VelocityEditsuwu]

I failed today 😭

[@SenseiEmmett]

@@VelocityEditsuwu Did you really fail? Do you know more now than you did before test? Do you know what you need to work on? Are you now on a course to resitting with more knowledge? The belt is only a piece of fabric, its the knowledge that matters, and if you have more now than you did before test, then your already on the way to improving

[@VelocityEditsuwu]

@@SenseiEmmett that you so much! I was so sad

[@dionpeci8119]

@@VelocityEditsuwu belts are like grades in school,and grades/belts are not as important as what you have learned or your knowledge

[@VelocityEditsuwu]

@@dionpeci8119 i passed a few weeks ago btw

[@cornerofthemoon]

I failed my yellow belt test when I was 9. I didn't make a scene but was so pissed I quietly removed all pictures tacked on the wall that had me in it when no one was looking and never returned to that school again. Granted it was a shitty thing for me to do but then again I was 9. My parents enrolled me in another school soon after. I have no idea if the first school ever asked them about the missing pictures.... LOL

[@jeffreyfigueiredo1740]

Very good video Mr. Dan…I personally went through hell on earth many years back when my Instructor failed me 4 times for my Nidan test. I had mentioned to him that I am just looking for guidance and his response was “It’s a test of my character and that’s what he wants to see from me.” On the fifth attempt deep down inside I knew I was on and ready and I passed and did well. My Instructor hugged me and said in front of the whole class that he put me through a tough time as he knew I could handle it and said I deserve my rank. Bottom line is it was an invaluable learning experience. Not just for the martial arts but for my life.

[@cornerofthemoon]

Just out of curiosity, Did the studio charge you an extra fee for each test.....The experience might have helped him put a new wing on his house.

[@jeffreyfigueiredo1740]

@@cornerofthemoon Lol. Actually no as we never paid any fees for exams. It was just for the learning experience and today I am a better man because of it…

[@Jeff-Jordan]

There is a lot more competition for extracurricular activities today than there was in the 70's and 80's. Back when I was a kid it was pretty much just Karate, Basketball or Little League. Even soccer wasn't that big of a thing yet. Sure, there are some that are still passionate about Martial Arts, but it seems many parents treat dojos as daycare and are ambivalent about the actual process. Once people (especially kids) get bored and/or humiliated (failed belt test) in class they usually bail out quickly and find another sport or recreational activity.

[@FoxHound-ch1yy]

My dojo grades at the end of every second month, my first ever grading is coming up on the 29th of April, I go from White belt to 1 stripe yellow (my dojo has three yellow ranks). Coming up to grading we get four "pre-testing" stripes on our belts that we get marked off on... Basics, Kata, Kumite and Bunkai. Once our instructors mark a student off on all 4 of those categories they then give the student the invite card to attend the grading. If the student has all four categories marked off they qualify for grading and are virtually guaranteed the next belt, One of the sempai's in my dojo told me in the 4 years he's been training he's only ever seen 2 students fail a belt test and both times it was students grading for their Black. the higher ranks the instructors get alot more "nitpicky" about stuff.

[@mikebaldwin5978]

If one fails one of the lower level belt tests, yellow, green, etc. it really isn't worth going on. The rest of the class and the instructors will treat you like a bad smell in the room and the lower belt level in comparison to the students that passed will always be a scarlet letter. It's better to pursue boxing or other martial arts that don't have belt rankings (Krav Maga, Muay Thai, etc.)

[@MountainAdventures1]

You said it perfect at 2:45. It's the secret of our association's testing system. During the last few classes before our quarterly testing session, the instructors discreetly test students to see if they are ready for promotion. Only if they perform acceptably during this "mock test" do they get to sign up for the actual test. This means that students are not throwing testing fees away for a test that they're not going to pass. Yes it is still possible to fail at testing, but it is extremely rare. The actual testing session is more of a lesson than a test, where the student is intentionally put under pressure and asked to perform while stressed. One of the most dangerous outcomes in a self-defense situation is to blank out because of the fear. Our testing sessions are designed to help students overcome that, since they become comfortable with performing under stress. There are keyboard warriors out there that say that any school who passes everyone who tests is a McDojo, but I would say that any school that collects your expensive testing fees and then puts you up to the board without knowing that you can pass is a definite sign that money is more important than quality of education.

[@bernardortiz7351]

10000%. The school I attend is very, very similar to this.

[@garyspencer1954]

I busted a san dan test a few decades back. It only made me work harder. Rub a little dirt on it and get back in the game....

[@gpjordo_syd]

I love this.... People need to take accountability as opposed to shifting the blame. I also loved the fact about people putting the emphasis on the colour of their Obi.. An experience I had was, I did Karate years ago. Recently, I decided to take up Taekwondo as a way to help my 8yr (who was already doing it). I thought it was something we could really get into together. It came to a point where there was a grading and one of the instructors if I was being sent to grading as they felt I was ready. It wasn't up to me to say so or not. I then overheard the main instructor tell them that I wasn't ready. I reached out to the main instructor to ask what I could do to improve so I could be ready next time... I never got this feedback... It was only when I had decided that this was not the school for me and requested to cancel my membership, that among other things, I was told that they did not know I wanted to grade and they did not know what my goals were. Should it be up to me to let my coach know I wanted to attempt to grade?

[@Jeff-Jordan]

Pre-pandemic the drop out rate for kids who failed belt tests was about 50/50 at my school, especially at the yellow and green levels. Now a failed grade is pretty much a shoe-in that they'll quit. I'm not sure why but I'm assuming increasing cost pressure might keep parents from persevering and the fact that they are used to having their kids hanging around the house.

[@jesseeharris1925]

The instructor shouldn't let you test until he's absolutely positive you'll pass and your attitude in training and in life. We have some kids in our school who've been the same belt for over a year. Technique wise they're solid but their attitude sucks. They know this is why they're not testing and it's all up to them.

[@214warzone]

I failed my own personal "Black Belt Test" 3 times last weekend. But I was able to pass it on the 4th attempt :)

[@freelancerblitz2579]

Contrats

[@ArtofOneDojo]

You failed your own black belt test? Was this something you were conducting on your own?

[@214warzone]

@@ArtofOneDojo on my own. Similar to a basketball player having to make 20 shots in a row before he can finish practice 😀

[@JMtheCONQUERER]

Back in the 90's when I was in middle school I took tae kwon do for a few months with my father and siblings. I was so slow and sucked so bad at it the master of the school was making people laugh at me. Im not making that up either.

[@johngarner4211]

I had a similar experience when I was a kid. Some of these A-holes seem to forget that unlike school or the military, we can quit whenever we want if they want to publicly humiliate us for a laugh. The Master(bate) called my parents a couple of weeks later after I had quit and enrolled in another studio and of course he was my best buddy begging me to come back (He missed our checks) and my Dad heroically gave him an earful over the phone. Years later I heard the instructor got busted for possession of kiddie porn. I wasn't surprised.

[@jacegallagher8589]

Navigating the anxiety of "am I really ready?" is a mental challenge. Mental toughness is one of the key things to advancing in martial arts and is definitely part of the test. Instructors want to see that you can handle the pressure of your own mental challenges.

[@joecole1504]

I failed my 2nd Dan Black Belt test at Kukkiwon in Korea. Very humbling... I had a brain fart on one of my forms, but still continued through the rest of the test. I was disappointed and embarrassed being the only American there at that testing session. Didn't blame anyone but myself. Had a nice dinner with my instructor afterwards and back to the dojang the next day like nothing happened.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I have to agree with this.

[@FranktheTank2308]

German Shotokan First degree Black Belt here....Here in Germany you usually don't get invited for your next belt unless your sensei is absolutely sure you will pass, and then the decision to take it is your own.... also our waiting times seem a lot longer than in other countries...you wear white belt for 1 year minimum (half year ungraded, then half year as 9.kyu), all colored belts between 8.Kyu and 1.Kyu then have at least 6 months waiting time between gradings, and finally between your 1.kyu and your 1.dan are a minimum of 2 years waiting...so the best you can do here to get your first dan is 6,5 years, and that only if your sensei recommends you to every belt test (usually only happens if you attend at least 2-3 times a week and learn fast), you agree to everyone of it and you pass everyone of it....i myself gone exactly that route...I started mid of 2013 and got my first degree black belt at the end of 2019 Your sensei tells you 1-2 months in advance for colored belts and 1 year in advance of the black belt if he considers you absolutely ready, so you have enough time to iron out your weaknesses and decide for yourself if you wanna take the grading or not..but usually you should pass it with ease if sensei tells you...unless you have a very miserable blackout in the test (heard even some who messed up their kata completely got a second chance to do it from beginning again) When you in the black ranks: Between 1.Dan and 2. Dan are usually 3 years minimum, 2. to 3.dan are 4 years, 3. to 4.dan are 5 years etc.... So im currently train for my second degree black at the end of 2022 which my sensei already hinted & teased he would like me seeing to attend if i continue like now....I'm sure other schools here in germany also do it a bit different in how long you HAVE to to wear a kyu-grade/dan-grade, but alot of other german karatekas of other dojos i talked with had about the same schedule with only minor differences :) TLDR: In Germany: after the prescribed minimum wearing times of 1 year white/6 months each color/2 years from 1.kyu to 1.degree black it's up to your performance/attendance/behaviour/mindset, if your sensei allows you to attend the next grading and then finally up to yourself if you take this invitation :)

[@frankiegodinez8864]

Honestly, if you failed a test, that means you’re not ready to begin with. If asked to take a promotion test, you have to ask yourself if you’re ready or not, if the answer is yes, then test, if it’s no, then do t test, but you have to be honest. If you feel ready, then you’ll be okay.

[@brandismith7700]

After my son failed his yellow belt he begged me to let him quit. I resisted at first until I talked to the instructor at the Karate studio. They blamed ME for him failing because evidently I didn't train with him enough at home as if as a single mother I had (a) the time and (b) the KNOWLEDGE!!! to be a Karate tutor. And besides WTF was I paying them for?!!! After that I let him quit and take Little League instead.

[@cornerofthemoon]

It sounds like you experienced a terrible McDojo. The bad ones expect you to be an expert of martial arts after 8 weeks of mostly push ups and stretching exercises and then blame you for failing a belt test and basically being an idiot.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Wow yeah, that's a terrible school.

[@brandismith7700]

@@ArtofOneDojo I enrolled him because I wanted to get him out of the house and to get exercise and gain confidence but Karate was a massive failure on both fronts. From what I could see that studio pretty much put their time and resources on 5 or 6 of their star pupils who had been there awhile and the rest pretty much just stood around for a couple of hours with mostly nothing to do except occasional push ups and jumping jacks. Meanwhile I'm out several hundred dollars for the effort. Luckily I was able to sell most of his Karate gear. But what I gather from your channel not all schools are that way.

[@kickingitwiththekerofskys8476]

In 1992 when I first took my black belt test in Shuri Ryu and Jujitsu, I just came back from the Arctic Circle and Scandinavia, and come home on leave from the Navy determined to take my black belt tests; but I was not ready and I failed them. So with my disappointment I worked harder and trained on the decks of the ships I served when off duty before darken ship, and two years later in 1994 I earned my first degree black belts. Now I worked my way up to 9th Dan and feel proud of my accomplishments. PS when I earned my black belt in American Kenpo in 1990; I still feel the kick in the gut from Grandmaster Ed Parker (yes I got my American Kenpo belt before my base style of Shuri Te / Shuri Ryu which I trained in from 1976 to 1994; but trained in American Kenpo from 1987 to 1990, I trained in American Kenpo harder at the time, because the school was right by the base from where I was stationed. Then later got into Hung Gar and Shorinji Ryu Kempo). Oss. Master K, MA

[@erichansen7020]

My son was the only one that failed his yellow belt out of 20 students. I tried to get him to persevere but the humiliation was far too much for him to bear. He was being constantly teased and bullied by the other students and the teachers felt compelled to "punish" him for failing (as if failing the first hurdle and the public embarrassment wasn't punishment enough) Not sure why that gym made it so personal but they obviously had a hatred for him. Once I knew what was going on I pulled him out. I would love to sue that gym but I don't think I had a legal case....Just buyer beware.

[@gnichols5051]

Sorry this happened to you. Most dojo's say that "failure is a good thing and helps you grow blah, blah, blah," but in your case it looks like they were just being a-holes. Some studios are still stuck in the 70's where they take the dojo cult way too seriously and can't adjust to the real world. Some are just trying to make a quick buck. But there are good schools out there that have their students best interests at heart. It pays to do your research.

[@erichansen7020]

@@gnichols5051 When I asked the instructors why he failed, they told me that he was spending too much time copying the students beside him rather than doing the moves on his own. However the same could be said for at least half of the students that passed and I had the cell phone evidence to prove it. But they brushed me off. My guess is that they can't pass everyone in these tests according to the Dojo 101 handbook and they decided to make my son "the example".

[@garygee4775]

What exactly do you mean by "punish him for failing"?

[@erichansen7020]

@@garygee4775 The instructors went all "Full Metal Jacket" on him, making him do pushups if he didn't get a routine right, humiliating him verbally in front of the other students, etc. Totally uncalled for behavior especially for a child. Yet another reason I wanted to sue but I didn't have proof. However, I totally believed my son based on what I saw with my own eyes. It's moot anyway as that karate studio is closed. I can't say the news made me sad. I heard they blamed it on the pandemic but I have a feeling they were on the way out anyway.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Indeed Sensei Dan, often we are our own enemies, when it comes to assessment tests or gradings, at our martial arts schools. When it came to grading for my first dan black belt, I was asked to grade for that rank by my master. Nevertheless I was uncertain of myself, as I had the fear that I was not good enough to do so, so I told my master that I was not ready to attempt my first dan black belt examination. He on the other hand knew, that I was competent, also that I knew all the required, testing criteria, that I had the right attitude, dedication, discipline, as well as honourable conduct. Hence why he said, that he would not have asked me to do that grading, unless he knew I was ready for it! When it came to my second dan and third dan gradings, I was far more confident, calm, well composed and at peace with myself, as I had previously been through my first dan black belt test. As such I already knew how to prepare and strategise for things, so obviously I performed much better, even the material was far more difficult and demanding. Unfortunately these days I see many individuals just doing their training, with fake, seemingly more dedication and frequency, regarding their training, when they know a grading session is quite near and around the corner. Cause all they care about is getting their new stripe or new belt. Then if successfully they attain that brand new belt, or new stripe on their belt, their attendance at training begins to decline, little by little. Such individuals should not be allowed to train in my opinion. However I also see many instructors, feeling pressured to even pass such kind of individuals, because holding them back, as in preventing from grading until they have trained with more consistency or frequency, then passing them at their grading, or failing them if they performed badly during their test, they are most likely to quit and go to another school, who will give them their belts and stripes no matter what, so long as their pay their fees ongoing. If one however goes to a more strict and highly disciplined martial arts school, where students who do not perform satisfactorily, who do not train, hard, dedicated and with frequent consistency, or even if they do all the correct things, however they are failed because they did not perform satisfactorily, they should never give up and see it as a test in itself, to see if they courageous to rise up from failure, try again, persevere and next time not only pass, but perform even much better, than the first time round. This reminds of Best of the Best 2, where Walter Brady, the son of Alex (Eric Roberts) performed everything well throughout his grading, from his basics, up and down techniques combinations, self defense, sparring, also his required katas. Nevertheless his father's fellow martial arts teacher at their school, Tommy (Philip Rhee) told Walter, that if he did not manage to break the board, as the final assessment of the grading, he would not pass. In true honourable fashion, with determination and dedication, the kid kept on training. The important thing is to never give up, persevere and keep going no matter what, Osu!🇲🇽🇦🇺🐨🦘🙏

[@gnichols5051]

Honestly, after the parents fork over $1500+ in fees (membership, equipment, belt tests, etc) not to mention the time and commute commitment, I don't know how some of these instructors have the balls to fail their kids first belt test and expect the parents to be grateful for it.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

We can flip this perspective around too. How can a parent have the balls the expect their kid to be awarded an achievement they didn't earn just because they threw some money at it? That's disrespectful to the art being taught and it's a major disservice to their own child. It's very simple, if a student does not meet the requirements for promotion, then they shouldn't be promoted. Typically, the first belt for children has a VERY low bar to pass so if the child puts in 10% effort they should be able to pass it. Money should never be the deciding factor on a promotion. I've worked at schools where parents tried to strong arm us into promoting their child. No. If the child wants to promote, they have to put in the same time and effort that all the other students are expected to. Also, if you're paying $1,500 before the first belt test...then either 1) your child is putting in ZERO effort, or 2) that school is charging WAY too much and you should probably look elsewhere.

[@erichansen7020]

That's pretty much the experience I had with my son. The studio was charging me close to $200/month to teach my son "advanced push ups". and made him (and me) the villain when he failed his yellow belt test. I eventually had to cut my losses. Buyer beware.

[@gnichols5051]

Sorry that happened to you. I find it ironic that some instructors (not all) pretty much call the child lazy or stupid in hindsight. But if that were the case why did they bother scheduling and charging for a belt test if they knew they were going to fall on their face. Holy Gaslighting Batman!

[@TerrenceCooney]

Blaming it all on the child...How original..

[@cornerofthemoon]

Take heed, there are some dojos that indiscriminately fail students whether it’s merited or not. They try to make extra revenue by charging for retests or attempt to enroll students in extra “Special Ed” classes.

[@racwhi26]

we never had to break a board. we had to willing attempt to break the board. at one point if it was obivous we could not the intructor would tell us not today. we would bow and acknowledge we could not break it today. if we just refused to or gave a bad attitude then we failed the board breaking section. at any time we wanted to fo back and attempt to break a board we would ask to attempt the break.

[@ajshiro3957]

Funny you mention this. I'm near my second brown belt level. Whenever my instructor feels we've become proficient enough in a technique, it's a surprise. So we face every day doing our best and treat it like a test.

[@queensillybritches]

I’ve passed all my belt tests in one go so far. But, I always make sure I’m totally prepared. However, there are ways in the test I failed. In one higher level test I totally blanked on a technique. My instructor showed me how to do it about 5 times before I was able to do it successfully. Talk about nerves! Surprisingly I passed that test and with a pretty decent grade. I was a bit shocked to be honest. During the feedback portion my instructor basically said that even though I did so poorly on that technique, some of the other difficult ones were completed strongly and smoothly. Another time I was dinged for having sucky kiai. Still passed but lost points for that. All in all even though I passed each kyu and shodan test I still failed in ways I had to learn from for future tests.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's the attitude I think makes us stronger. Great job on making the extra effort to be prepared :)

[@MG-bi6mq]

I’ve never been in an art that awarded belts. Except technically Arnis...I had trained for about 5 years and my instructor asked me if I wanted to teach. I said “sure” and he awarded me a black headband. No ceremony or test; nice and casual the way the Filipino martial arts usually are. My first Arnis instructor would test me constantly, though. This guy was crazy and twice my size. He got really mad that I couldn’t do basic grappling (I had only trained less than a year). He gave me a week to perfect my standing arm bar. If I couldn’t bar his elbow on my first try, he would “toss me across the room.” I had nightmares leading up to that test. I pulled off the arm bar, though! As a reward we got to spar around the “PITS OF FIRE!” after an hour of footwork drills and push ups. ... That counts as a test, right? I’ve been asked by people “how do you know you’re any good if you don’t have a belt?” The answer is rather obvious: if you can win fights, you’re doing good. I used to train with my kung fu teacher 5 nights per week. We didn’t need belts, he knew what I could do. When I trained boxing there weren’t any belts either. If you can box someone without getting knocked out, you pass the test. Now I’ve also done some BJJ, but I don’t test or accept belt rank from any of those people. It’s just a system of submission wrestling - so I use the time drilling and rolling to work on the principles of submission wrestling, not worrying about climbing some arbitrary rank ladder. However, the belts are still a telltale sign of what kind of skills I can expect from the other player. The higher the other guy’s belt is, the less BJJ I need to use and the more techniques I need to pull from other styles.

[@Beastius24]

I had failed on my 3rd kyu (brown belt in kurayfat kempo) twice. Unfortunately life happened, so I couldn't train for a while, moved to a different country etc. I still love that style and have been doing kyokushin karate afterwards. The lesson I had learnt is that I am practicing every day. Now when I grade, I go all out and have received extra promotions because of my preparedness and getting ready to my 2nd kyu in kyokushin. :)

[@clivewakeham7239]

When I went for my black belt test I never got any photos of me during the test, a great regret. But when I went for my 2nd degree test I made sure there was someone to capture the action. Some fantastic flying kick breaks were captured. I never failed a test since I really never went for one unless my instructor thought I was ready. One time my instructor said he believed I was ready, but I held off until the next one so I was 100% sure in myself.

[@The-Travel-Man]

IMO, the only belt testing that should be done is for Shodan (the beginner's level). Many would disagree. However, consider a statement made by Shinjo Kiyohide, 9th dan, Uechi Ryu: "After training for over 60 years, I still feel very unskilled". As far as I am concerned, you put on a white belt and train until it becomes black. All these colors and ranks serve no purpose except to stroke one's ego.

[@martintanz9098]

I never failed a test. I came close once back in 1980 when I was unable to do a break. Frankly I think the guest judge made me do a break a little too advanced for my level, as I was just a green belt and the break was more of a red or high red level break, and it was on a plastic board, which meant if I couldn't hit it exactly in the center, it wouldn't break. In my current experience, I fortunately never failed a test, but I have seen others who did, and it is sometimes a tough thing to see as the disappointment is clear. Some people don't come back, as they, or their parents are upset. My teacher isn't too demanding. All he expects is good technique, which if you are going to class you should have. And focus. And intensity. He usually flags that before the test, but sometimes a person shows up and forgets a form, or botches something really basic. It happens.

[@bernardortiz7351]

I'm coming up on my 3rd degree bb test. I'm a basket of nerves, but my instructors called off private review sessions noting that they feel I'm ready. My forms may not be perfect, but I have demonstrated confidence and focus. Wish me luck in a month, when my test date arrives!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Absolutely best of luck my friend! Please let us know how it goes!

[@bernardortiz7351]

@@ArtofOneDojo thank you. will do - it's at the end of this month.

[@bernardortiz7351]

@@ArtofOneDojo It's been a very busy last few days... but, I passed!

[@kohelet2446]

I have never been told I have failed a test. My instructor very rarely would tell anyone if they failed. Every 3-4 weeks was a test, regardless if you were in line for a rank up. I am a black belt in American Kenpo, and I have certainly failed tests and been passed by for a promotion, but I cannot pin point a specific test I failed.

[@jahipalmer8782]

So, once I failed my third degree (lvl 3) testing. I definitely didn't deserve to pass, I was sloppy, slow, out of breath, etc. My master told me I failed and I said "Yes sir! I'm sorry sir. I'll train harder, sir." Next testing, I did amazingly. Anyway, what made me mad is during the testing I failed, there were two peeps testing for fifth degree, neither of them could do their forms. I sparred both of them and neither of them had any energy (even less than me). BOth of them didn't break on two of their techniques. THey both passed. NOw, they were from a different school in the organization and their schools' instructors promoted them despite their performances. After all of this our school ended up leaving the organization. ANyway, the point is that I have failed testing twice and each time I failed I just worked to get better because That is why I am training, to get better!

[@michaeldelaney1058]

I never failed a belt test, but in my first style when I tested for 2nd degree black belt, working extremely hard to earn my next rank, I noticed a lot of students who, in my opinion, were not ready for a promotion to black belt, passed anyway. It upset me when students who did not know forms or could not adequately defend themselves in even light situations became black belts, and it made me question if I even needed to work hard or if I myself was simply handed my belt without an honest analysis of my skills. I remained in this school for another 1 or 2 years but eventually left for different challenges. Ironically, in my next style, I definitely feel I was awarded my black belt before I was ready, but this school put heavy emphasis that you might be promoted early and challenged to earn it, so I was motivated to work that much harder. Also in this school everyone works together regardless of rank, even white belts and black belts, so it is obvious that rank, while encouraging, holds a secondary purpose than perfecting your skills at any and all levels. It has been seven years since my last promotion and I don't even care.

[@gaijin140]

My first style. I never got a test under the first mentor. I knew aikido was a different style than most other styles. But I spent 2 years until I got the equivalent of a white belt test. 7th kyu. Because the teacher never gave me any basis to go off of. But then the center gave me a different teacher. And within 6 months I got to rank up. But after I lost him and another instructor I was left wandering for another aikido instructor. And when I found another aikido instructor. I was happy at first. But He did not agree with my base or prior knowledge because it was not according to his affiliation or style of aikido. So we got into a quarrel. And even after I did what he said. He still insulted me and told me I’ve learned nothing from him. So I was left completely disheartened of aikido because of this man. And this is not the way I wanted to learn that aikido not Just had different affiliations, but also different styles of aikido. But. Over time since I couldn’t find an ideal instructor to replace my old aikido instructor who I worked with best. Aikido became a style I did not want to know on its own. So I found a tae Kwon do instructor and a style that finally suited my needs. 3 years I’m only halfway to black belt. But at least I felt progress a hell of a lot progress than when I was in aikido for 4 years only being a yellow belt.

[@casualtom82]

I definitely had one test where I came close to failing and that felt pretty bad. I tried really hard, but 2nd kyu was a very difficult test and the only partner I had was a 4th dan guy who was under 5 feet tall, and he was NOT going down for free. I responded by declining to take the 1st kyu test when I was first offered, and waited an additional three months, at which point I aced it. In the new school I joined a few years ago, the instructor tells his students that he wants to see their spirit as they are forced outside of their comfort zone to struggle with strenuous physical feats, so that's something to be taken into consideration as well. Excellent video, really appreciate you posting it.

[@freelancerblitz2579]

Ive never failed a grading but came close to once and at the same time my bestfriend failed his 3rd Kyu brown belt grading, Its the only time i saw someone fail but we were messing around alot and i just scraped through my 1st Kyu,I also understand the "not feeling up to my grade" Im a 2nd Dan in WAdo Ryu Karate but just joined a new Dojo after 18 years off, I can say my Kihon, stances and kata are good but i need to learn alot from their much larger sylabus and re-learn lots of pre-set parter work, My new Senseis are all great guys and have tons of knowledge and im honoured that the head sensei let me keep my old grade and simply said "Don't worry, It'll all come back" Though i do feel that it is slowly returning i still feel like an imposter :/ but its not about belts, Its about the journey.

[@samuraiDragons18]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@movieandvideogamefanatic9848]

i got lucky and never failed a belt test or stripe test but i had in my eyes one of the best instructors in the US i was so great and also worked great with kids with learning disabilities like myself and maybe that was a factor in the test he maybe let things go a little more for me than some of the others

[@grizzlybee3072]

Today I technically failed my green belt test after there was a miscommunication on the time. Showed up 30 minutes late and stayed in the back of the dojo fighting back tears of humiliation while other students tested

[@cornerofthemoon]

You can always bail for another dojo that is more reasonable with the inevitable glitches of life.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

It totally sucks but I'd say bear with it and keep trying. Miscommunication and obstacles unfortunately happen and sometimes all we can do is accept the consequences and look for/create the next opportunity.

[@the_barkku_nerd7686]

In our Karate, We dont get to repeat the test, but we have compensation like improving skills on tuornaments. Usually it takes a year to get promoted but Ive been stuck in same belt for 3-years due to covid-19.

[@ncaviationfilms]

I was denied testing my 1st stripe for my Orange Belt back for karate in October. I was so humiliated and embarrassed. I quit because I was getting so tired and frustrated after that incident. I think I did the right thing, because it always gave me anxiety after that happened.

[@cornerofthemoon]

You can always join another studio. That’s what I did when I failed the yellow as a kid. It was just too embarrassing for me to return to the first one as I didn’t fancy my parents paying a ton of money just for me to be the bad smell in the room.

[@ncaviationfilms]

@@cornerofthemoon I quit right just before Christmas last year. I only made it like 7 months.

[@ken-rockjudo478]

I've failed students. I've failed, too. I have a criteria that goes along with the standards set by the USJA (but not a lot of the history portion) and the IJF (but instead of specific techniques, they can use the ones they have retained). Also, performance during light rondori is part of it.

[@laddesterconyers3823]

I have three words to say, Practice,Practice, Practice. The mind and the body must be one.

[@kracylatin01]

I come from a traditional martial arts Background and did many tests ; Now in BJJ as a high level blue I was surprised that I didn’t need to take a test for my blue belt it was issued to me but I didn’t feel like I earned it because I was used to tests . I did have a situation like your student about breaking . I was having a hard time trying to break two boards but failed many times until I stopped and centered myself and broke the boards without any issues . Love this subject great job on the video

[@frankiegodinez8864]

I think in BJJ, despite having no tests, it’s one of the only martial arts where you should truly feel like you earned it if you get a promotion. Simply look around, if you’re a blue belt, and get easily tapped out by white belts, then you didn’t earn it. But if you can hold your own and not get tapped out 100% of the time by purple belts, that means you truly are a blue belt.

[@kracylatin01]

@@frankiegodinez8864 ; I think that depends on the white belts because we have some white belts that are NCAA wrestlers that could beat the breaks out of any blue belt.

[@AliFayeFaye]

I failed my black belt test because I was the one to ask my instructor to retake it. I got sick the week of and on the day was recovered enough to where I knew I could pull through, but the sparring destroyed me. I was overall unsatisfied with my performance and asked my instructor to retest. It was a first for him but he respected my wishes. I tested again 3 months later, but was again unsatisfied with how it went due to pregnancy... years later and I still have that itch of not being able to fully show my best in that moment for my instructors and classmates.

[@oskarjohansson5757]

I'm fail a belt test in kyokushin this time . But I see it as learning . It sucks but maybe try again in the end of the year!

[@EngineerMK2004]

At my dojo, we teach Kano's Judo. We also teach Jujitsu. There are very clear criteria to pass to the next belt level; knowledge of technique, ability during free-fighting (not necessarily about wining, but ability to show skill), and knowledge of historical significance. I have some students who take their test, trying to pass it, and occasionally failing. No instructor fails a student; the student fails the student.

[@fredricclack7137]

'back in the day' my inst told me EVERY1 failed their BB test in Moo Do Kwan Tang Soo Do... ( 2c how u redacted)

[@christopherclaridge433]

I do Karate and just graded this weekend from green belt to blue belt . I started doing Gekasi di nie kata not Gekasi di itch kata the Renshi made me keep starting again . I was ready to throw in the towel but Renshi made me keep going until I completed the gekasi di itch . Hey then passed me as I managed to bring it back home . So I got my blue belt in the end but after freezing up but Renshi had faith and patients .

[@zenshinacademy4096]

I never test anyone until I know they are acceptably capable of passing. Belts, at my dojo, really isn't the focus but I have seen too many people who pass tests that shouldn't or if not passed they loose interest. In my early days I never passed a black belt on the first time, no matter what, it was just part of it. But in my aged wisdom, or just seeing people are weaker and less capable than they were 30 years ago I no longer practice that tradition. Still takes a good 5 years to gain a black belt so I don't test unless I am sure they are ready, no standardized time for testing, just when I see your ready. When I first started in 1978 times were different, I don't know too many today that have the same drive, dedication and desire as back then.

[@lisawillis699]

Sadly the guy who failed his brown belt test sounds like he was obviously not ready and still needed to mature a bit more. I've only had to fail one student before and we made sure to let them know what they needed to work on before retesting.

[@whipatear]

I have been there as a brown belt. I tested and missed a very advanced aka beyond my readiness board break. I was devastated and angry at myself. I got brown belt 1 stipe. A few months later I tested and skipped stripe 2 and went to black belt. What a shock and surprise it was for me.

[@rreal9741]

I fail my second degree blackbelt test before

[@exoticsnipezonly1601]

I’m going to get promoted probably this week my instructor said I’m ready

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Nice! Let us know how it goes!

[@carllubrin8518]

In my school I’ve never seen my sensei angrey before he failed 5 students and passed 6 in there 1st Dan in the class I had to deduct one point from One person cause he did a wrong move in his pattern and when we did the one step sparring my partner was laughing when I yelled at him yeah and he has to do the move set. I That was a different experience helping out a grading test

[@Tyler16bit]

I’ve been involved in martial arts since 2007, recently got back into Shotokan, but earlier on I trained in TKD as well as Chung Do Kwan which is primarily derived from Shotokan. In TKD, I failed my 1st degree black belt test on the board breaking portion and it felt very disappointing as it was my first failed test. A month later I retested and passed. In Chung Do Kwan, I failed the test for purple belt with stripe also due to the board breaking. The next month after that I retested and earned my stripe. Failing belt tests isn’t the end of the world as disappointing as it may feel, but it should serve as motivation to train harder for next time.

[@billtaylor1656]

I believe if you feel your not ready don't test. Just recently at my school we had a student as tje grand master when our sifu will be promoted, the grand master got pissed and told my instructor to take that students rank. That was hard to see but it shows because your physically ready you may not be mentally ready

[@3DJapan]

When I first started Kenpo I went for months as a white belt. Finally I asked a sensei what was going on, when was I going to get tested? He says "Oh you have to tell us when you're ready" which is of course, never how I had ever been tested for anything else before. I had been ready for a long time.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's different, haven't seen that in a Kenpo school before.

[@DysmasTheGoodThief]

If we fail, we wait until the next quarterly testing period. I didn’t feel ready for my last test but passed. The notes said I was rusty, after a long break, but knew the material none the less so he passed me.

[@revariox189]

Do you feel you should have passed or that the test should be redone and you could do better? Asking out of curiosity not animosity no bad mouthing here just education.

[@ronnieteulon]

I failed a few times for belt test but it made me more determined to get it right next time and help me grow as a martial artist

[@5dragonskarategoryukarate-890]

I tell my students you're always testing. The actual testing day is just formality. If I invite you to test, then I feel you can pass. And I have respect for the student that fails but comes back next time and tries harder.

[@Docinaplane]

Nice!!

[@blockmasterscott]

I’ve never had a student fail a belt test because I didn’t let them test until they were 100% ready. Now I’ve told students to wait a bit longer until they were ready, but that’s a bit different.

[@racwhi26]

luckly i never failed a full belt testing. i failed the kata section. so i got what was called a conditional belt. then given 2 weeks to work with a mentor and then tested again. in an informal test. just on the section i failed. i passed it the second time. if i had failed it the second time i would have failed it i would move back to my last rank and waited till at least the next. formal testing date.

[@garysfunfilms3600]

I had experienced severe emotional and physical abuse as a child (including a stepfather who came on me in the middle of the night) and was bullied and publicly humiliated throughout my school years. I had developed severe post traumatic stress disorder and looked to martial arts classes (and counseling) to help me heal and learn to feel safer in ordinary circumstances. I found the classes very helpful and was able to keep my panic and anxiety in testing situations (with my history of abuse and public humiliation these were particularly overwhelming) under control until getting into brown belt. At the 2nd kya testing, with me being the only one being watched in front of an auditorium of people it became too much, I became overwhelmed, and I "did things I never saw you do before (according to my instructor)." Of course I was failed and it was quite clear that the individuals testing (and instructing) whom I had been working with had no understanding of the challenges individuals with histories of significant abuse bring to their arts and how they can help them overcome their challenges and stay in the art. With the challenges of my PTSD it was clear that the road to belt advancement was closed to me so I left classes and have been working on my own now with 49 years in the art. As a professional therapist who has finally overcome his severe PTSD I look back on my time in martial classes as another area where the doors were closed by individuals who who had no understanding of the complex challenges some individuals bring to their classes and assume that everyone brings the same challenges to their training. Many students who enter martial arts school have experiences of significant abuse like I have had (I've known many of them both personally and professionally) and are looking for a place that can help them heal. Unfortunately, with lack of understanding and awareness by instructors they often find themselves further traumatized from those they had looked to for help in overcoming very real and challenging conditions. It's not simply about "Having the right attitude." My martial arts organization lost what I would have contributed through teaching and other involvements for decades had I seen a way forward to continue my involvement. Individual students often bring very unique challenges to training that instructors (whom students place their trust in) have a responsibility to strive to understand. This isn't just about being a good instructor and helping your students succeed, it is for everyone in the art's benefit.

[@erichansen7020]

If you made it to brown I'd say you have no need for any sort of angst about the subject as their difficult for anyone including those without PTSD issues. Failing the yellow or green is a different matter. My son is still traumatized over it and it happened 6 years ago. But he was bullied mercilessly by the other students and instructors after failing the test. Funny, I thought I was paying for a service to help my son overcome bullying but the treatment he received was far worse than anything he got in school and the latter didn't empty my wallet a thousand + dollars.

[@furrybogard9724]

Chuck Norris once said when he failed a test, he learned what he did wrong and worked that much harder. If he failed again, it wouldn't be for the same reason as before

[@joejazz67]

I failed my first black belt test I took it right before enlisting in the military I practiced while I was in the military and found a similar school in Germany and studied there unfortunately when I got out of the service I went back and the school had closed I always regret not going back even while on leave to go back and get my black belt but such is life

[@Saint_Dacier]

When i tested for my orange belt i was extremely nervous because there was so many people but now that I'm orange in 3 weeks i have yellow belt testing and we had a pree test i didn't think i would pass i didn't think i even knew my form but i passed and now i can test

[@Docinaplane]

Back on the day, when a student took a test and "failed" what our instructor did was tell them that after, perhaps, one month of training, they would officially pass. Do they do this anymore?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I haven't experienced that personally, usually a student would just have to wait until the next testing period.

[@Docinaplane]

@@ArtofOneDojo Thanks, Dan! I haven't seen that now either. I never failed a martial arts test, but I always trained even harder afterwards to overcome my "insecurities" :-)

[@kinkoshinkai]

I tell my people that testing is just like school. Passing a test in school doesn't require a 100%. In fact, in SCHOOL, 60% or a D is technically "passing" because you got more right than wrong. Granted, in karate/martial arts, we want a slightly higher standard, like at least abive average, or better than a C, but that still allows room for error. Still, failure DOES happen, but failure is not the opposite of success but tather an integral part of success. Again, my students know that as long as it's not a mistake that would be deadly, you survive, and that the expectations rise each belt, allowing plenty of room to progress.

[@highchamp1]

Martial Arts (Best Practice) A lot can be learned from The Way of Martial Arts (Best Practice) Personal Journey More about yourself (than other outside influences) Religion would be more so (...I guess)

[@layenlbn]

I failed my yellow belt test a week ago and my friends passed the test. I remember running away from that place and crying on the staircase for an hour straight.

[@alanbarnes8901]

Personally I'd quit and join another gym. Even with the best intensions you'll probably be "whitelisted" at that place by the instructors and treated like a bad smell in the room. Even if they try to be kind and professional it will just be too awkward and embarrassing to hang around them and your friends. (voice of experience).

[@ArtofOneDojo]

We don't have anywhere near enough information to give advice like that. The real question is why didn't they pass? We need context.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Did they give you a reason why they didn't pass you? Can you give more context to the situation?

[@layenlbn]

@@ArtofOneDojo I got confused while i was doing the self defense and you basically cant mess up, even once

[@mikebaldwin5978]

@@layenlbn As others have said, quit that gym and go to another. Maybe some of your friends will join you. Basically that dojo can't miss a rent payment, even once...: )

[@emmetttaylor1739]

Back in the 1970ies I failed the brown belt test and the black belt 2 times at the old MAS School here in Chicago. I passed the test because I kept trying. That was almost 50 years ago and I an still happy I passed!

[@muayboran6111]

It was me and my mate, we failed our first judo belt test and it was humiliating because we brought another friend along to watch. We didn’t know the japanese name so we couldn’t perform the throws

[@waterlogga]

This is difficult because true martial arts is about overcoming and self improvement. When my master, for what ever reason decided he was just going to leave quietly in the night I was faced with the choice to run the school. I wasn’t the highest black belt or the oldest but I accepted and one day I was teaching a family, and like many family they have tons of extra curriculums that made it hard to be consistent, and their skills effectively could not evolve beyond blue belt. This was a concern of the Father and after talking to them I found they can’t commit the minimal expectations of the next rank, almost no one could and so I ended up being a mcdojo. Not that I couldn’t or wouldn’t teach real combat and would enjoy if a serious student would walk through my doors. But I do have one question. I do have one student who is for lack of better word sexy hot and is a belly dancer who has pretty much sent every signal she wants me and I’m running out of nice ways to turn her down! How do I ask her to stop or does this relationship have to end. FYI nothing has happen but she does lay it on think in private.

[@joetorres1861]

In the mid 90s, I failed my nikyu (2 nd degree brown). There were 6 others testing for the same rank who passed who did worse than me. I was an instructor at the time there and was having issues with my Sensei at the time. I knew he failed me to make a point that he’s in charge and was pissed off at me. We don’t request testing, we were told we are ready and are testing. After I mentioned to him that I thought I did better than the others. He said I did. I said why did I fail? He said they are students and need an 80% to pass. I’m an instructor and need a 95% because I represent the school. Ok then. Can’t argue with that.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Wow, that's a bit intense but an interesting perspective.

[@jamesslaughter7859]

You get used to it in BJJ 😂

[@camiloiribarren1450]

I have yet to have failed a belt test but I have heard that those who have failed get encouraged to try again by the teachers, giving them pointers to work on their materials on the next test season by the teachers.

[@jbk19xx57]

I’ve failed a belt test in Taekwondo, I was disappointed, I left but kept good relationships with my masters and fellow students and Switched to Kickboxing taking EVERYTHING I know from Taekwondo and APPLYING it in my kickboxing.

[@TheInfantry98]

So you quit ?

[@jbk19xx57]

@@TheInfantry98 Let’s just say, I left but never quit.

[@jbk19xx57]

@Jay Ryan Ok I quit without being bitter and Knocking my masters and my former dojang everything I know I thank TKD.

[@Stucknthe80z]

We only test those students who we have high degree of confidence that they will succeed.

[@zachburns6556]

I have 3 years to prepare for my fourth Don Master level at taekwondo plenty of time so I want to learn to work on this problem that I have not testing time as the time is closer in like 6 weeks before the test I get really anxious and excited and then when I test i choke

[@zachburns6556]

Ty

[@sga1ac3]

i remember seeing a full set of karate belts at a goodwill.. well almost full, the black belt was missing XD

[@martintanz9098]

Maybe the owner kept his black belt, donated the rest.

[@vehimouchas9743]

I got held back from my green belt because I hadn't even mastered balanced or the simple kicks yet so I spent an extra month just working on form and balancing on one leg.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

In the long run though it was a good thing though, you went back to improve :)

[@AdamWalkerBNP]

There is no such thing as failure. The student simply isn't ready. This is a lifelong path. We all get to the same place in the end. OSU!! A