What is a Black Belt Test Like? | ART OF ONE DOJO

The black belt is a symbol and a representation of an achievement earned in the Martial Arts. Importance should not be placed on the belt itself, after all, it is just a piece of fabric and has only been used in modern times to denote rank in the arts. However, this video focuses on the milestone of reaching a certain point in your training when you have learned, digested, and mastered the basics of the art. It is still a moment and accomplishment to be proud of because it represents the hard work, dedication, and commitment involved.
What is a black belt test like? Each art, school, and country will have their own variations and ceremonies, but this video will attempt to give a general idea of what you might expect, at least in American tests. This is an attempt to give an overview of the preparation needed and commitment required to passing.
Location Provided by C's Kenpo Karate
cskenpokarate.com/
Original Photography Provided by:
___________________________________
Holly Pereira - A Captured Thought (Children's Testing Photos)
Jennifer Shearn Wagner (Dan's Class Photos)
Creative Commons Attribution:
Adult Testing Footage by Jeremy Simpson
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Music and Stock Footage From
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videohive.net
Video Productions by: Fade 2 Black Productions, Inc
f2bpro.com
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#BlackBeltTest
#BlackBelt

[@Silver99_YT]

One of my favorite quotes, but I dont remember where I got it: "Dont practice till you get it right. Practice until you cant get it wrong."

[@balduran]

Underrated comment! I'm training Iaijutsu since 8 years and preparing for my 1. degree blackbelt with this attitude in mind. And for me teaching students for years is helping too!

[@maryannhoward5449]

It’s a Julie Andrews quote

[@knokname6466]

Training maxim-- "Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can't do it wrong." So true, yet signifies what kind of dedication to training will be expected of a student.

[@anthonyhutchins2300]

So true!!!

[@reikiman75]

Totally get all of this! I’m working towards my 4th degree black belt in traditional taekwondo and I can attest to the anxiety right up there until the final exam. I know I’ve done it three times and I’m confident I can succeed again. I will have to dig in deep and focus on what I know. Nothing hard earned is never easy!

[@jaydeandre7782]

That's why I bought mine on amazon

[@ArtofOneDojo]

J.C. Penny, $3.98!

[@sliderx1897]

Art of One Dojo in Okinawa belt mean no need rope to hold up pants

[@myshadowkungfu]

Jay Deandre ..Ha!

[@joeriley8667]

Jay Deandre if you can buy it it has no real value. That is like buying barbells and then wondering why you’re not getting stronger by simply looking at them from the couch! I hope you were joking, and will forgive me from stepping up onto the bitch box!

[@TheInfantry98]

Jay Deandre LMFAAAOOOOO bruh. SAVAGE AF 😂😂😂😹😹🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸. Murica !!

[@FarleyProductions]

My last Black Belt test was broken in 2 parts. The first was a Black Belt Pre Test that lasted 5 1/2 hours and then the regular test that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Both were great experiences. Many hate on the Kenpo in my art but I wouldn’t where I’m at today without it. Now I’m getting ready to test for my 2nd degree and getting prepared for it has been nothing but great. Anyways great job Mr. Dan. You really know how to create great Martial Arts videos. =] Keep up the good work.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Yes, unfortunately Kenpo often gets a lot of hate, but just like any art it comes down to the school. When you find a good Kenpo school, it's an excellent art, but when you find a bad school it's HORRENDOUS. I have seen both. Thank you for the kind words :)

[@dektran4843]

nowadays yu can always buy the black belts especially from the american born instructors

[@nk-po4qc]

Farley Productions NINE HOURS 😫☠

[@markant9534]

@@ArtofOneDojo Are there international karate competitions and do you have to be a black belt to compete in official karate matches?

[@markant9534]

@@ArtofOneDojo Jackie Chan was black belt in another form of martial arts and also studied karate, do you think he would have been a legitimate black belt and that this would mean he was pretty steeped in his knowledge of karate also?

[@Steve-wm1ol]

Excellent presentation; good coaching. Important to note that the goal should not be to get a Black Belt. It is to be a Black Belt.

[@krazylegz11]

My black belt test for kenpo is this Saturday. Crazy to think that I started this almost 5 years ago and its finally here. I am a bit nervous, and i don't "feel" ready. My instructor says thats a good thing though. It means that i know theres improvement to be made. But ive been working my butt off. One thing is for sure. I will give it everything i got. I also wanna say thank you for your videos. I started watching them at the beginning of my journey and they have helped tremendously.

[@TheShodan92]

It took me 7 years to get to shodan. But I did have a 1.5 year break. Mine was back in 1992 and when it was sparring time I got the bash. Couldn't lift my arms above my head for 3 days. Wept continually for a week. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the most amazing experience toward a new beginning.

[@patrickgast3780]

Our black belt test takes place during our yearly camp, the test starts right after the 3rd workout ( 8pm) new shodons start, than the rest of the shodons, break, nidans, sandans, sleep, the rest of the black belts. Fighting the black belts in the afternoon and get promoted at the Shiai that night 😊

[@pastorben662]

I took my black belt test while I was in Iraq with the US Army it was a lot of fun but omg I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. It took three days due to missions. And our teacher was a 9th dan in WTKD. He told us we train to fight we train to win. You will learn the same way I did. Which was fun. I have been in karate (shorin ryu) for years also. I just start my path in Gracie BJJ. Martial arts is a life long journey that should never be taken lightly

[@brandonh4527]

Pretty much all of my exams were in the daily classroom. We were graded every class and were given permission to promote whenever we were ready. This was solely based on the individual and there often was no set 'test'. It was when the individual was ready based on their merit. If they were never ready, then they were never promoted, regardless of what belt they were testing for. Our classes involved a lot of technique and some reasonable cardio and movement exercises. However, the knowledge of the material was most important. I test my students very similarly today. You will earn your belt or you will never get it, regardless of what rank it is. I added an additional element into it though, and that was building leaders, especially if they are going to be a black belt. I demand someone that has good leadership qualities and can that can teach. The whole idea of a black belt is that you have achieved something, but more importantly, it is the ability to proliferate. A black belt is an entry into the teaching realm where you can take on students and proliferate the art that you dedicated yourself to. You can teach others, and through teaching others, you will hopefully make strong, moral, and knowledgeable leaders. I also incorporate physical abilities as far as cardio and other exercises, mostly through calisthenics, with a minor emphasis on running. It doesn't matter what you know or how proficient you are if you don't have the gas in the tank to complete the mission. It is also a good way to push someone to what they think their breaking point is. I want to see the 'failure is not an option' mindset.

[@nataliesolondz4304]

Dan, The Blackbelt exam at my dojo is anywhere from 14-16 hours long (just ask my brother). From what my brother told me is that it is Really HARD and EXHAUSTING. They get an hour or hour and 30 minute break to come home for lunch, shower, and to rest up before heading back to do the rest of the exam. After the exam ended which is late at night, everyone who did the exam goes out to dinner at a burger place. They do the same thing after the graduation except the graduation dinner is more fun and bigger then the end of the Blackbelt exam dinner.

[@shanestraub7418]

My BB exam is in less than a month. I basically have 7 days to train/prepare/ condition myself due to my work schedule. I started in Shotokan style when I was 10 and left when I was 16 or 17 with a green belt. I came back in 2015 and acquired a belt every six months until my exam last summer when I broke a toe on my Sensei the day before the exam. I pretty much took this last year off for school, so the last 3 training sessions with my dad were pretty tough, lol. But I can do this!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

You totally have this!

[@shanestraub7418]

Art of One Dojo took the exam today and passed! From missing almost a full “season” of training and having only 8 1- 1/12 hour days of training before attending a two day long seminar before the exam, I am in a LOT of pain right now but it totally paid off!

[@Adam-sl1te]

My 2nd Dan grading is broken up into 2 black belt sessions which last 3 hours and if you progress you go forward to grade. The grading it's self is 3 hours so in total it's 9 hours. The Dan grading goes by the dan grade for example 1st dan to 2nd is 1 years training and 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan is 2 years training. This is for ITF tae kwon do

[@terryturner1689]

It's the only way to earn a Black Belt, work for it. It takes years for a reason, so you appreciate those who have gone before you.

[@dvnmostwanted9536]

My black belt test is in TWO days.... I’m kinda nervous but I’m ready! 😬

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Soooo? How'd it go????

[@anthonymalgiero4215]

I like the fact that in the bjj system I train in, we don't do testing. You get promoted based on your skill displayed on the mats, mat time, and how you do in competition.

[@erlendhedegart562]

We had to go to the head dojo or the scandinavian camp where hundreda of students take the new belt. In our Karate art Makotokai wr have to go to Italy to get the black belt.

[@erlendhedegart562]

Hundreds*

[@songoku9348]

8 years it took me, 8 years of solid training of blood, sweat and tears. I was sparring with my sensei today, it was actually really fun too. What we were doing is working on fast reactions and how to block at the last minute. I feel proud and good about myself actually.

[@michaeldasalyaget7828]

I am looking forward to my black belt test, but I have some time, and it will be done at Kenpo camp, mostly for the clout of having all of those signatures on my black belt cert. Another great video. You mentioned the rebreakable boards, where would we even get those, you had a link for the wavemaster on a previous video, could you do something like that for the boards to? I don't wanna go getting a crappy one.

[@victoriadean4212]

You can purchase breakable boards on amazon.com. in a set.

[@wasrelwatson4809]

Every martial art BB is different.. mine was I need to smash brick.. trained in sword, perform pomsae then do all pomsae from white to black.. and many others.. took me 1 week to clear all the pass

[@pstrmorrison]

For my first dan I lead the testing for all the other belts. After say the white belts I had to point out and mistakes or any techniques that was outstanding. After that I preformed each of the hand kata and then my two weapon Kata. Sparred with each black belt present one three minute each then sparred two brown belts at a time for two three minutes rounds until I fought each brown belt at least once. Got a minute break between rounds but I think as the night got longer the break got longer Finally three lower grades picked out one break from an approved list. Allowed one non break but had to repeat the break

[@onehappyboi1396]

It took me 11 years to get 1st dan shotokan style (Latvian karate)

[@wadoryujujutsukempo6289]

i will add our kids do not get a kids black belt, they have the same syllabus, but we never had a child under 14 make it to black belt, partly due to its harshness, they did the same grading but the didn't do bare knuckle, but they would still get battered like everyone else, not one parent ever complained, the drop out rate from 4th kyu to 1st kyu was high (i was a police officer, so i didn't run the school to make money). I believe its what you do after you get your black belt thats important, grades don't really matter, what matters is your progression (as you well know Dan, having trained and studied by your self), i'd rather see a shodan (who never bothered grading again but continued to keep training) get on the mat and out perform a 5th 6th dan who just took grades without really improving, but learnt a couple of new kata.

[@kenlandon6130]

Belt system is really, really unstandardized. A black belt doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot in and of itself.

[@ElbertTreble]

Is it possible to be a black belt with a heart condition because my endurance is not that strong??

[@AndrewAttard78]

When you're assigned 100 push ups are they consecutive or like 20 at a time with breaks? Curious because my school has that too.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Kids are often broken up. For my first degree test we had to do them consecutive.

[@AndrewAttard78]

@@ArtofOneDojo Ok. Good to know. That seems intense even for a conditioned athlete. Gotta step up my push-up game.

[@scooterbois4177]

For shotokan karate we have 2 black belt gradings a year I have been to 2 pre gradings to fix small things before the test and then after every person that is not going for there black belt and I am going to be trying to get my black belt and it only takes 2 hours

[@scooterbois4177]

And no one is aloud to watch if you are not a black belt

[@scooterbois4177]

I am super excited and I can’t wait

[@scooterbois4177]

For November

[@quinnlaya331]

I train taekwondo. I got mine when I was 12 after 6 months of training. (This is a joke)

[@karatemedic3825]

Any suggestions on true instructors due to trauma I can not fully rotate my arms like a “normal person and I have had several heat strokes which make Memorization extremely difficult and I was told that I would never achieve a black belt because he doesn’t train disabled or the retarded however I would like to say that I am not retarded in fact I work on an ambulance and work 5 24hour shifts a week Are there any instructors that allow any modification due to physical limitations such as not being able to fully chamber your arms

[@chloejones3925]

I’ve been training for 8 years and I test tomorrow. It’s 7 1/2 hours long! 😬

[@joeriley8667]

Chloe If you like to read, there is a book called Karate as a Guide to Gentleness, by C.W. Nichol, that I highly recommend.Good luck and GOD’S GRACE on the test!

[@nataliesolondz4304]

Chloe. My dojo’s is 14-16 hours long. Sometimes it is Even LONGER then 16 hours like close to 20!😐

[@philipouma3867]

@@nataliesolondz4304 at my dojo for junior black belt it is a 7 hour test and then for shodan(1st degree black belt)The test is about 20 hours almost 24 hours of basically everything you have learned until that moment.My style of karate is isshinryu karate.

[@milos.8705]

RESPECT OH GRANDMASTER

[@jamesloehr641]

@@milos.8705 wow I can't imagine. My test was only a little over 3 hours for 1st Dan black belt and about 5 hours for second Dan. Those felt very long, did all our forms, walking drills with techniques and combinations of them. Timing drills and 100 self defences. Which half have to be take downs, sweeps. Some multiple attackers and line self defences. Sign of the cross board breaking 2 have to be with spinning techniques or jumping. Also demonstrate some teaching with how we would teach a beginner,intermediate or advanced belt. Korean terminology was part of it too.

[@darrenjones3144]

It took me 30 years to get my black belt in Kyokushin. I did have a ten year break though. I went back with my son and we got our black belts together. It was a long day and very stressful. I lost count of the times I thought I had nothing left. I got there in the end and what an amazing feeling.

[@kbanghart]

That's pretty awesome. I like martial arts, but I can't do regular pushups, so I don't think I will get mine.

[@iamjulian2810]

Plen122 lol sounds like an excuse man.

[@michaelbrant1668]

Darren Jones well done, it’s hard to get back into it after a long break.

[@richiel.3428]

OSU!

[@kbanghart]

@@iamjulian2810 kinda. Although, I actually never said I wouldn't be able to do them. Lol

[@opinionantropologica7639]

My karate black belt test was awesome... it took me like 3 hours but it was worth. It took me 5 years of training it. As the video says, physical training is key

[@michaelhubbard4023]

Mine's took 3 hours but it was brutal. It took me 11 years to earn my first dan black belt. It was totally worth it. Took it on 2-4-20.

[@simplychloe3839]

HAHAHA thats funny mine is four days!!!! 3 hours i wish and there was no breaks and i have to sleep there! haha

[@jamesloehr641]

My black belt test was about 3 hours. After 5 to 6 years of training.

[@jamesloehr641]

@@simplychloe3839 seams like overkill to me. I don't see how any test could take that long. I dont even think my instructors 5th Dan test was that long. It was long like 12 hours over 3 days. But still.

[@jamesloehr641]

His test was that long because alot of his test was watching his test and critiquing himself and explaining the techniques and what they are doing ect. Watching self defences on video and explaing what he could have done better or what else would have worked. Ect.

[@Docinaplane]

I got my first BB at 23. When I was promoted to black belt, I showed up for class one day, and my teacher just said that today you will test for black belt. After demonstrating my skills and knowledge of all the techniques I had learned, I was told to go for a run outside and when I was ready, to come back and talk to the class about what the martial arts meant to me. This was in the dead of the frigid Midwestern winter, and the streets were covered with snow and ice. I ran barefoot and didn’t feel a thing! Returning to the dojo, I gave my presentation. At that point, in a moment I will never forget, my instructor took off the belt he was wearing and tied it around my waist! I’ve received four more promotions since then, but I wore that same well-worn belt to train today.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's an AWESOME story! Dang, running outside on the ice barefoot, that's hard core!

[@Docinaplane]

Thank you, Dan. I was raised in Chicago so I didn't know any better, plus, it wasn't my idea, lol I'd like to add that I finished my talk to the class by saying, "The martial arts is not what you can do to someone, but rather what you can do for someone." The longer I stay in this journey, the more I understand how true that is.

[@Docinaplane]

Max Rowe - You are welcome to follow any path that suits you, but imo, you are not doing martial arts, you are doing combat sports. As I just said, there is nothing wrong with that. And trust me, this teacher earned the respect everyone gave him. He was a man of few words, but plenty of action.

[@joshuahull9982]

@@ArtofOneDojo I was a muay thai fighter. There's no belt system in muay thai.

[@MaharlikaAWA]

That is incredibly cringey dude...uugh...

[@mw1736]

A black belt is a white belt that never gave up

[@madrkt]

My adult Black Belt test concluded an 8 year full time curriculum. It was 16 hours total across 5 days. 2 hrs. on Mon night, 2 hrs. on Tues night, 2hrs. on Wed night, 2 hrs. on Thurs night, Off Fri night and 8 hours on Sat. from 8 AM to about 4 PM or upon conclusion, with brief 5 min breaks peppering across the day, typically between sections of subjects, and 1/2 hour lunch break (although it was advised to re-hydrate and rest only). Observing judges participating in eating, while you alone did not, was meant to challenge further self discipline. Testing was performed in front of a seated panel of all previous Black Belts in this Art available to judge and grade. I had 7 judges, with the Grandmaster at the center, and with unanimous agreement of test passage prior to presenting the Rank. Testing consisted of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kobudo, Arnis, and Self Defense against a full power attacker. This was the hardest test I ever took in my life. To receive this Rank in my school, made me feel like I was experiencing being re-born into the Martial Arts. We have no such thing as a Jr. Black Belt Division. Our program is so lengthy, that even a child will be nearly an adult when ready to test for our Black Belt. I honor and thank my school, by continuing to teach, and train for my next ranks. Currently, I am 2nd Dan. No family, nor any outsiders, were permitted to witness this testing. Pre-selected live Uke, were permitted to observe, as they would be participating in the self defense portion, and would be invited in at the appropriate time only. Photo and Video were taken at the conclusion during the awarding only.

[@photoallergic]

Now, what exactly was the martial art you are referring to? "Testing consisted of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kobudo, Arnis, and Self Defense against a full power attacker" does not sound like it, well, actually happened.

[@jeffpearljam1976]

We do twice a year and everyone past green must attend so when it’s time for black belt we’ve already have experienced it for 2+ years.

[@davidburns8310]

Another great video Mr Dan. I never new that black belt tests had so much to them.

[@darrelmorgan1509]

Remember my 4th dan test sparing was rough

[@rampage5524]

4 years, it took me 4 years to get to brown belt. I've been training for 6yrs and now I'm learning new styles and I'm a white belt again.

[@vikingbluesbreaker729]

Damn i trained for 15 years in the army, 7 years of witch i was an instructor. cross trained with other branches and countries did countless military tournaments, trained thousands of soldiers, have hundreds of thousands of hours on the mat. Guess what belt i am? None. No rank what so ever. Never mind that i can actually fight, never mind my traini g and teaching, never mind my actual combat experience..no rank and people really tell me i waisted my time because i dont have a black belt...

[@DysmasTheGoodThief]

@@vikingbluesbreaker729 don’t let them. Belts sorta matter. A guy at my dojo has the same story. His daughter is closer to her black than he is. He reenrolled yeeeeaaars later and is now being graded and moving up.

[@HenLover]

one month training is good enough for black belt if u own a ctazy mind and a very strong determination

[@larissabuceto5726]

@@HenLover no

[@HenLover]

@@larissabuceto5726 If u can mention to me the tasks required for black bekt and give me 30 days... I will upload my video within 30 days... Weather its breaking.... Fitness.. Stretching or any other thing including kataas... 😊😊😊

[@ThegamingEnforcer487]

Too reach black belt at my school is 4 years my school is a tae kwon do school

[@tonioyendis4464]

It took me 3 1/2 years of hard training just to get my Brown-belt in Kyokushin! It will probably be about that long to get the Black-belt under my Shihan. He is ol'skool traditional and doesn't believe in any short-cuts!

[@raksha3386]

Tonio Yendis 3.5 years just to get my green in Shotokan. But at least then you know that you have earned it!!

[@kostina_]

My black belt test was 6 weeks long. 5 two hour tests then the last test was 7.5 hours. I wish they still did that, i want all my tests to be that rewarding

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Mine was a VERY long time ago but I remember it like it was yesterday - TOUGH!!! Having said that, I loved every minute of it :) However, over the years I switched to different system. I assess my students on their performance over a testing period (of months), rather than using the exam method. The reason for this is that there would often be students who perform well, and consistently, in every lesson and yet for whatever reason didn't do so well during a test. Conversely, other students had been VERY average during the previous months and yet shone on the day. So, I prefer to grade them on consistent good form. In effect, every lesson is a "grading". When I am satisfied that all requirements have been met, they are presented with the grade, which is to honour their hard work. I've found that this encourages the students to train hard, always, and not just for a belt. In fact, the belt is just a nice bonus :)

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I like this approach very much :)

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Cheers mate :)

[@carllubrin8518]

It took me 6 and half years to get my black belt the test was 4hours and half we did 15 min running 50 squats 100 push ups 100 sit ups -5 Lap pad kicking 6 or 7 holders Basics kick from back kicks turning kick Spinning kicks with combos ect -Then heavy shield bag work power kicks all power Then the sparring boots and gloves 18 rounds 3 min Then Olympic sparring gear 22 rounds of sparring 3 or 4 min rounds And before sparring out kata or patterns -then our one step sparring 36 moves And that was our Tae kwondo wtf test

[@yocuando3868]

Kata aren't from taekwondo

[@threepunch5702]

As a man with 2 junior black belts and an adult black belt with Kempo as one style, I can attest that all this information is true! Consisted of about 300 pushups, 400 squats, 2+ miles running, teamwork exercises, demonstrations of basics, etc, with, of course, demonstration of material all in the course of 6 hours.

[@CharlieThePug]

Mine was 8 hours

[@threepunch5702]

Damproxey 101 nice

[@MisterTutor2010]

Karate here. Karate here. Karate never here :)

[@milenavracevic1911]

Cobra kai

[@Hacker-5612]

never dies

[@markhewitt4307]

I studied Muay Thai. Alot of my friends studied different styles. Some made it to Brown belt in their style while a few made it to black. Your videos and advice are great! Keep up the great work!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you!

[@MisterTutor2010]

When I was getting my black belt, we had to attend additional classes (black belt preparation) on top of the regularly scheduled classes for six months before the black belt test itself. They were twice as long as the normal classes. They were to insure that we were in good enough shape to get through the test and to make sure we were prepared for each part. We also had to learn few new things such as sparring with two opponents and breaking cinder blocks. The two-opponent sparring was for first degree black belt. Second degree involved four-opponent sparring. Come to think of it, if the number of opponents double with each degree, by 10th degree, you'd have 1024 sparring partners. It would be like fighting the Agent Smiths in The Matrix Reloaded :)

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you're "the one" and can do the Superman move.

[@wheelerstipsandtricks2583]

Same

[@kelp_p]

w h a t there's a dude in my class practicing for his black belt and for the exam he's practicing to break wood and bricks, also practicing to get hit pretty hard (for his endurance), IS THAT NORMAL????

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Demonstrations of Strength and conditioning to be hit are very normal yes. If the school is teaching students and condition them how to take hits and be tougher, that's a good thing.

[@DB-er9lc]

Eight hours test...but one awesome day!

[@mariusgustavus6522]

Im training Shotokan-Karate (alltough its actually Style-Open) in the WKF in Germany. My Blackbelt-Test happend 9 Years after i started. Time it takes until the Test: Since Karate has the classical 10 Kyu/10 Dan system it normaly takes 5-7 years, however i started very young so it took longer. What is the Test? The Test itself took about 30 Minutes. Kihon (10 combinations) Kata (1 Heain+ 2 of Kanku Dai/Jion/Bassai Dai/Enpi/Hangetsu (normaly one chosen by you and one by the examinator). Then either Jiyu-Kumite (Free Sparing) or Self defence (of course not that free since due to the more brutal technics and the nervousity there is high risk of injury) Also it could be both. Where is the Test? The test has to be held by at least two licensed examinators. To be licensed for these tests the instructor has to hold at least 5. Dan in the style. Its held in bigger dojos most of the time where people from many different places can gather and do the test. Often there is also training with that instructor in the weeks prior to the test. Further there is seminars most of the time that kind of give you an idea what the instructor wants to see and what the no-gos are. Personal Oppinion: I think that type of test is perfectly fine. I don't see the point of doing test that go multiple hours or even days. Thats just the quantitiy of the test. The truly important part to me (and most examinators here) is the quality. Doing a Kata after 100 push-ups just worsens the kata that you practised so hard and doing kumite while gasped just increases risk of injury. That is why i think these tests are perfectly fine as they are here (and i get a higher heart rate from doing one Kanku Dai than from running half an hour so there is that). Thats just my oppinion though If you made it here thanks for reading and sorry for the spelling as i am not native:/

[@timlinator]

My shodan black test in Karate took place over several days probably over ten hours total about four hours on the final test day. Three mile run in under 30 minutes, 100 push ups, sit ups, leg raises, kicks and hand techniques. Forms empty hand and weapons, basics, bunkai, Q&A and finally over two hours of sparring. About five years total training.

[@johnobrien401]

Thanks for that video. I'm due my 4th Dan grading in November and I'm very nervous about it. I agree with what you said about adapting if need be, especially when it comes to the self defence. We are always told that the one step self defence techniques are not set in stone so not to worry if you step with the right instead of the left etc. just adapt to the situation. I have been with the same instructor since 2002 when the club started in my home town.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Exactly, it's much more important to be able to act and respond in the moment then trying to make sure it's performed the way it was memorized. Good luck on your test, I'd love to hear how it goes! What art are you training in?

[@johnobrien401]

Art of One Dojo I am currently training in Tang Soo Do and have have been since 2002. I was among the first group to grade to black belt in my club. I will let you know how it goes

[@johnobrien401]

Art of One Dojo i thought i would let you know i passed my masters test

[@CharlieThePug]

@@johnobrien401 good job just got my 1st degree in tae kwon do from a real school and not them fake school giving out black belts like candy and I wish you the best of luck going for your 5th degree

[@johnobrien401]

Damproxey 101 congratulations to you too

[@braynechylde4982]

I was in a unique situation that led to my test being a live-in student for a summer that culminated in me teaching the application of a particular high level kata at a weekend seminar. The night I was leaving to go back to living at my own house while I was packing my stuff, my Sensei walked up to me said some things I won’t repeat here and presented me with black belt. No formalities or any of the normal testing stuff. Just some questions, words of wisdom, a bow and then my belt. I will never forget it. It’s not the piece of cloth. It’s the color. It was being told that I was ready to really begin.

[@korymiron3140]

I tested for my black belt in 2014. I had traveled to my style's international training camp, that year in Raleigh NC, for the test. The minute the plane left the ground, I was a ball of nerves. I had already submitted a written paper, discussing what I'd come to learn so far in the martial arts (besides punching, kicking, throwing, etc.) and had gotten a lot of positive feedback from several masters in my style. That did nothing to calm me down though. By the actual test I was nothing but nerves. We opened up with some light calisthenics for a warmup. It wasn't much, just a few punches, some push ups, a couple of drills, and I was already gassed by the end of it. We then went into board breaking. I was testing in a pretty big group, so I had enough time to recover from the warmup before I went up. My boards broke with almost no trouble. From there we went into kata. Starting with weapon forms, I completely botched the opening of one of my bo forms. We also worked with short stick forms and then went to the empty hand forms. All the while we were going up in groups of 4 or 5, so that the proctors (all 5th degrees, with one 6th degree master overseeing) could get a good look at us. To my somewhat relief, one of the kata I was expecting to test on didn't come up. It was replaced with a lower form that I still see as my favorite from the colored belt curriculum. From there we went into basics. Well over an hour of stepping and turning drills with every strike, block, or other technique represented at least once. I was so exhausted the master overseeing had to tell me to get my power back up a couple times. Interspersed through all of this were the stamina requirements, consisting of normal pushups, knuckle pushups, fingertip pushups, and one arms. I normally don't do any of the advanced pushups, but I was hopped up on so much adrenaline that I did them and barely noticed. The final primary stage of the test was the self defense demo. I had practiced the 5 minute sequence with my partners for months. A lot of things went right. A lot of things went clean. Then my girlfriend, now my wife, jumped in out of sequence! My plan went out the window. I still blocked her, still took her down, but I didn't do it in any way that I had intended. Somehow, even after everything, after feeling like I'd done horribly, after feeling like I hadn't performed anywhere near my personal standard, and after want for half the test to just give up, I still passed. It was 4 hours of hell. But in retrospect, I love every minute of it.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I love this comment, because it is such a raw and real experience. You faced the nerves and you still did what you had to do. You were nervous, but you still did your part, and that is a very big part of the test. I know you felt like you did wrong with the impromptu part of the test and your wife, but as an instructor I do look for that. It's really important to be able to act on the fly, and I don't know what style you train in, but if you can adapt in the moment and take charge of the situation and defend yourself...that holds a LOT of weight with me. Good job on your test, I know we feel there are things we could have done differently but you did it. You passed, and you worked hard for it. Great job!

[@korymiron3140]

Thanks. It took me a while, about a year to get over the feeling that I actually shouldn't have passed. These days I see what I did wrong and I use it to better prepare upcoming candidates at my school. My style is called Cuong Nhu. It starts out as a variant of Shotokan, but students get exposed to techniques and principles from Boxing, Judo, Aikido, Tai Chi, Vietnamese Arts, and Wing Chun. We also train with various weapons. It's a fun style with a great community. I don't know if there is a school in your area, but I hope you get the opportunity to meet some individuals in the style, as many of them are exemplary human beings.

[@shozinryu4]

Wow.....! Sounds like a rough day. Glad you came out on top!

[@JodyParsons]

Shodan in jujutsu, 6 years culminating into 4 hours. Before the test we bowed in, them warmed up/stretched. Then we did all break falls, hard techniques (punching, blocking, etc), hold escapes plus 2 variations, then sparring against two people.

[@williamw1332]

It took me...decades...so far. I have always been of the mindset that I must earn the quality of my ranks every time I train, and/or teach. Complacency is a killer in the martial way, so I just try to train the best I can for the rest of my life.

[@darkapostate8358]

Shodan examination for ZNKR, and therefore AUSKF, are the same as every other exam. Whether kyu rank or dan rank the expectation is performing 5 kata with opening and closing reiho within six minutes. Any deviation is an automatic failure, as is not taking long enough. As rank improves the expectations are increased. I am currently preparing for my Sandan exam, and I get criticism about a fraction of an inch in blade placement or that the kissaki vibrated slightly on stopping it. The selection of kata is taken from the basic curriculum of 12 Seitei Kata, with yondan and up requiring two replaced with their koryu techniques. The panels also increasingly composed of higher ranked sensei, whose numbers increase as does the rank tested. The examiners are always, when possible, sensei who have not had a direct hand in your training, to eliminate bias and ensure that the student does indeed have the required skill set. Shodan is only awarded to people 16 or over, as children cannot have the mental development required for the rank. Gradings are held once a year at the national level and two to three at the regional level. The test itself is not the only time of scrunity, while waiting to test composure must be maintained as the judges will be watching the waiting students; fidgeting, poor posture, and sloppy appearance will contribute to failure. The seminar, usually two to three days at 10-12 hours a day, leading up to any examination is also time to eliminate candidates based on the above criterion as well as poor attention, lacking spirit, and performance while training. In all it can be stressful, but everyday training is to be handled as an examination and examinations as just another day's training.

[@garysfunfilms3600]

I was locked out of rank advancement because of this level of psychological ignorance ("fighting, poor posture, etc"). Testing and performance anxiety is a reality, particularly for those of us who were severely bullied, and go to karate to develop "confidence," how the martial arts are often sold. If you are going to test someone on this then recognize it's seriousness and address it in training. Though my instructors recognized I could perform at the rank level I was testing for they still refused to give me the rank because I looked different on the test. As a result I left the organization and have been training on my own for over 30 years. We both lost significantly because of this serious, destructive and inexcusable ignorance. I wonder how many, many others have had their trauma increased by those they put their faith and trust in when they decided to take up the art, hoping for assistance with their challenges only to be knocked down when they are the most vulnerable.

[@darkapostate8358]

@@garysfunfilms3600 I cannot agree with your point here. You make a case of using the training to overcome mental weakness, and the complain that because you hadn't done so, you failed promotion. Confidence, strength, and spirit are required beyond a certain point. If you lack it, you are not at the level you seek. This sounds like an excuse for poor spirit, not a legitimate fault. The examiners wanted to see how you manage stress, poorly it seems. Hence, you failed. Maybe it has been 30 years, but take the lesson from your failure, grow stronger. Try again.

[@kimberlynguyen7370]

I am so nervous 😩 for black belt test in May and I am test for second dan black belt and I put in effort come to class as once and also I am preparing to passed my black belt test in May and but I am be alright during black belt test in May

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I'm sure you'll do fine...being nervous is a good thing! Just focus, keep practicing and do the best you can. Remember, you wouldn't be testing if your instructor didn't think you could do it.

[@AnarkeeSoundVibes]

It took me 4 tries to earn my black belt in shotokan. After my third try, I was pissed when my sensei said that I failed, so I asked him how did I fail 3 times. That's when he told me that I was to cocky and he didn't think that I was taking my training seriously. After that, I skipped the next two tests, and began mentoring a few younger students and after a 18 months, I went back to try. again. Because I had spent time training other students, it humbled me enough to finally earn my black belt. It was the second greatest achievement I ever had. The greatest was watching one of the young students I mentored earn his black belt before me.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I have to give you credit for making that realization and adjusting. Too many people won't take that kind of criticism and never change. You should definitely be proud of what you accomplished.

[@ilillychappy9446]

Hewwo my black belt test for me is tomorrow and what a coincidence that we are in the same martial arts. I am from the tony martinz kenpo karate dojo. Im excited but also scared. Have a Good day!!!!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's awesome! Best of luck to you and please come back and let me know how it goes!

[@NeroMMA]

12 years of constant training to get my kyokushin blackbelt. The blackbelt grading went on for two days. Two full days of Kata and Kihon, from white to blackbelt. Finished by a strength test & a 30-man kumite. 30 2-minute rounds against mostly blackbelts trying to make me quit. Getting my blackbelt was the best day of my life, and my greatest achievement.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I LOVE stories like this. You went through the gauntlet and came through. That says a lot about your character and you have my respect for completing that. I wish you only continued success in your future training.

[@chriswilcox8977]

Super interesting how different styles approach Shodan so differently. In Japan, certainly for our style, the Shodan grading involves demonstrating our first kata. One chance. Lucky if it needs more than 10-15 minutes. Japan for us also has no coloured belts, that’s a modern/western thing. You’d be lucky in Japan to be taught anything beyond first kata until Shodan is awarded.

[@jancy4267]

in the club that i am training in, we do have 2 black belt tests every year but the tests last a whole day (from 6 am to 9 pm with a break in between) i have my karate 2nd dan test coming up in October too and the holidays give me lots of time to train so wish me luck

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Best of luck my friend!!!!

[@TheMonitour]

and in one week and one month i will hopfuly have a blackbelt

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Awesome! What style do you train in? Best of luck to you!

[@cynfaelalek-walker7003]

Short version : you gon' fight a hundred men.

[@descoutinho-e1y]

It does vary by country too. Apparently in Japan if you take Karate at High School as an option then you would normally graduate with a Black Belt and it wouldn't mean all that much. Whereas if you got a blue belt in BJJ pretty much anywhere it means a hell of a lot. In Karnataka India Bangalore our local dojo. Our kids twin girls are 4 years going on 5. one is 9th kyu one is 10th shito ryu karate more of a competition dojo. If they don't give up. They will most likely get their Shodan within the next 8 years. Then Nidan in another 8 years by the time they are 19 or 20 years old. Dan grades can be issued only by the head of the order who resides in France. A bigger deal would be for them to win gold in state level championships then to qualify for national level championships. International championships for india tend to be not viable for people who are not connected. But belt gradings tend to involve many hours and are a bit of a celebration of the years of practice that went on before often involving seminars and workshops for higher grades. But not as intense as the american style. And it is a competition style so doesn't apply to all dojos here

[@flip1sba]

Speaking of fitness, in our Kyokushin organization and yes this is Kyokushin Karate, consideration is given to those who are already in their 40s and older especially those who have medical conditions say a heart disease. And it is more than the belt, experience and prestige. For example in Kyokushin and other martial arts system, one also receives a certificate, are registered as official black belts and so on. Plus the quality of the belt is much higher compared to the kyu belts. Especially when your name is sewn.

[@RoflCopter-mi7ff]

it took me 15 years to own my blackbelt and the test was tough. 3 Teachers (6. Dan and up) looked at my performance (3 katas, kata bunkai and kumite). Whilst the whole class (20 People) and my family watched. I was shitting myself

[@rustydomino694]

My BB test was very hard, but worth it in the end. Started off with some kicking warmups, then once we started we immediately did 100 punches(which made me tired fast), then we did kicking up and down the length of our dojang, forms, hapkido, 3v1 defensive sparring, belt takedowns(for fun I think, or to see how well we were able to balance), and at the end, some instructors came out to try and push our arms down while we held them straight out horizontally for 90 seconds, it was pretty painful but surely worth it, it hurt so bad because I was extremely exhausted from all the pushups we did throughout the test, I likely did close to 200 - 250 once the test was over, maybe more if I can remember, and the pushups were in decent increments(25, even 50). After all that we did our board breaks, and that was the end. I practiced for about 8 years, but it was surely fun and worth it, especially after obtaining so much self defense knowledge, and I'm still learning more! I think the BB tests my dojang hold condense the test instead of breaking it up making it more challenging(physical challenges combined with mental ones without breaks), mine lasted around 2 hours. (This was taekwondo)

[@Lukiepookielemon]

My 8 hour long black belt test is on January 14, 2023. Edit: I passed and turns out it was actually 5 hours!

[@robloxleak123]

Oh its easy, Do Your Form Do 100 push ups Do 150 sit ups Break 6 boards (all in one) :)

[@england5691]

Hey, I am George. I do Wado Ryu, rn I am at purple belt, grading for brown belt in 3 months. Then I will do 3 more then Junior BB so I am excited. So far it has taken me 6 years "Not Included Covid" if it wasnt for covid I would have graded for BB in 2021. In our club, witch is apart of a wider association JBB test take 6 hours per day for 4 days. And ABB takes 8 hours per day for 4 days. The sad thing when I joined we were in a group of 18, now its a group of 3. This is belts group! Me and my friends always grade together. I believe I made the right choice with my brown belt because my other friends werent ready so I was waiting for them to grade. So in 3 months we will be doing a 6 hr grading so thats excited. A bit more background on my grading group, we mainly focus on Katas and we did the longest kata for a tournament in sinc. But with the club im in they have 2 classes peewees (under 12 or under orange belt) and the experienced class (over 12 or over orange belts). In peewees if green belts + want to go we teach so In out club we not only learn the moves but how to teach. I was awarded last year the best peewee sensei. And our grading group was awarded with the most teamwork, so we are the top group in are club. Our sensei knows who will get to BB thats why he paired us 3 together. And he also has this saying; training as a group, grading as a group makes you a better black belt. So we have all been helping each other. And at BB we get to choose a group, we also get to name ours. Sadly 90 percent of all the people who come quit after 2 yrs!

[@jamesloehr641]

Really depends on the school and the art lol my black belt test was roughly 3 hours long. Walking drills with techniques and combinations, forms, 100 self defences and self defense against multiple attackers. Demonstrating teaching skills and korean words. My second Dan test was about 5 hours long had all the same except more of everything. 125 self defences. 10 forms. More combinations more weapons self defence. More take down self defence. Exhausted after both test. However I have heard of rediculous 15 hour and longer black belt test in karate. not sure why any test would take that long lol with sparring 100 people in it.

[@codexena1]

I remember my first black belt test was a long day indeed. We had to do exercises in the dojo, then we did every kata up to black Belt. Then we sparred many rounds about three to four. Then we will find out if we passed or not. I must of done well because I received mine. And you are right you are dead tired and excited at the same time. I think I drank an ocean that day. But I felt good! Then I moved and tried another style and again in time and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears got a second one in a different style. Took me 15 years and lots of competitions, but then life happened and now after 20+ years I am going back and yet again a new style. The Sensi said if I had trained after we started class and I said yes. Stances are a bit different from what I remember, but it is something new to try. As I was watching your video I started to remember my own tests and how tired and in pain I was but at the same time a feeling of accomplishment at the end of hours of testing. Excellent video!

[@gregsmall7238]

I had a 4 padge exam when I got my black belt in hubakido I allsaw hold black belts in jujitsu Korean American taekowndo black belt my first black belt exam it was a 9 hour day I started a week after I got out of high school.

[@MarioAtheonio]

I can't be the only one who read the title of this video as "What does a black belt taste like?"...

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Very dry....a bit chewy...high in fiber, has a stale cracker taste to it. After a workout it's a little more salty.

[@JazzBear]

My test was 6 hours long. It was intense and grueling. My instructor took me to dinner afterwards. All I did was drink water. LOL

[@bideru1903]

I remember my dobok [I do taekwondo, so it's called a dobok] got so dirty on the day of my test. While the other students were wearing the main black uniform, or the blue leadership program uniform, i wore my white demonstration team uniform, and since we did our hundred pushups, hundred situps, hundred jumping jacks, etc, in the rain, my uniform became incredibly dirty

[@mattm9204]

For my black belt test we had a pre test which was i think 2 hrs then we had the actual test in my style(Wado-ryu) we ran over many different floor techniques and ground things like sit ups push ups jumping jacks,etc we ran through all kata's from 1st basic(white belt kata) and ku shan ku and ran through kehon , would of sparred( supposedly) but due to being during covid we couldn't due to cdc guidlines but it was really hard everyone was worn out red faced one of the guys testing in my group even threw up but it was definitely worth it

[@maryjanehansen7947]

my school system has a testing period for two hours every saturday eight weeks leading up to graduation. we are tested on curriculum, sparring, and our endurance, but i wish there was more of an emphasis on fitness and physical readiness, as students who fall behind in the physical component are still allowed to graduate. i hope one day to become a leader among my system of schools so i can introduce this, or to atleast tighten standards, because during my time in advanced belt testing, i watched students who were definitely ill-prepared receive their black belts. new students look to the black belts of the class to be inspired of what they can become, and although many are truly amazing in their skill, too many still lack in their basics.

[@infernoavatar4373]

my last 2 black belt tests. i only found out i was going a couple days beforehand. i am pretty sure i was told that i was going so that my instructor can make sure that i am most definitely ready to attempt and not have to worry if im good enough or not. not enough time for me to worry when its that weekend 😅. passed it both times and felt so much better knowing only a couple of days before than knowing for like a month where i most definitely should not have gotten my black belt. still grateful on getting it though

[@springbloom5940]

I never took a test. After proudly surprising him with my own kata that I had developed in secret, my teacher, with great satisfaction, told me I had learned everything he could teach me, as well as I could learn it. He said I could call myself a black belt, if I wanted and gave his blessing to pass on what he taught me. I was trained with a neighborhood friend, by my nextdoor neighbor, outside the curriculum of his school.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Very cool! What style were you training in?

[@springbloom5940]

@@ArtofOneDojo He had a school with his brother teaching Shotokan and Goju, and taught Shorin Ryu two weekends a month, at a friend's school in the city. I learned mostly Shorin Ryu, with some other stuff strung through it. I guess you could call it a family style, a couple generations old, that they didn't teach professionally. The katas were mostly modified and a couple unique family ones. He saw my friend and me trying to do karate in my backyard, out of a book and stack of martial arts magazines when we were like 12 and started with just some tips to keep us from hurting each other; and he would spar with us a little. I guess he decided we were serious and started teaching us on a regular basis. I did it for about five or six years; my friend pretty much quit after about three years, when he got a girlfriend and found other priorities(jerk 😒). I kept up with it some after I moved and helped out at his school a few times. He closed down in the mid 90s and opened a landscaping business. Ive done a few classes here and there, in some different things and studied judo off and on, for about 25 years. Been boxing a couple times a month for about 30 years. Now, I work out of a PMC in the Houston area, as a CRSO and firearms instructor and I assist with our combatives program that I had some input in designing; its based on boxing, with some high percentage judo and built loosely on a generic 'karate' framework for communication between the boxing and judo; plus Ive Incorporated some combos and really slick distance closers, that I learned from Shorin Ryu.

[@littleiranianboy1374]

The universal answer is not fun.

[@jonathanm9637]

I have two black belts in ITA and kuikiwon taekwondo styles. I am earning my 3rd black belt in karate. taekwondo is legit especially kuikiwon.

[@Ghost_GT-e9y]

I do karate and I’m 13 and I test next week and it gos as long as it needs to and the instructors doesn’t know when it will end I also have to do it in front of 2 7th degree black belts

[@chrisalexander2889]

Wow it took me just over 4 years to receive my first black belt now with that being said it should not take 4hours of testing to receive your black belt!! Either you know the material or you don't, and some of these instructors have let their own physical fitness go moreover, if you're testing for a black belt you should already be in good physical condition. Where I train the instructors stay fit and will train with you if they didn't I wouldn't attend the school.

[@stevenmcalister5328]

Ive studied Shou Shu for several years made 3rd brown ..... During my 3rd brown test It was me and another student testing and and we were doing one of our katas the guy i was testing with was always stressed and this kata he was so nervous he kept messing it up so our Grand Master looked at me and said help him fix it if he doesnt get ot done you both fail....... Talk about motivation lol we got the job done and passed our teat

[@wheelerstipsandtricks2583]

I have been doing latte for 9 years and I have my test this fall wish me luck

[@wheelerstipsandtricks2583]

Karate I meamt

[@thewannabemartialartist4613]

I can't imagine how long a black belt test will be in my school 🤣 just at the intermediate level I'm at it takes like 3 hours give a take some time depending on how many other people are testing. We have to test not only for our rank but we go through the all the other ranks material in order to show that not only have you learned your new material but have improved upon your foundation/old material

[@brauliochavez2231]

in my black belt test my teacher did taught me all i needed to know about the art and so, but i had this idea that it was gonna be in my schooll grounds like the previous tests, so when i found out it was gonna be in this big big hall with many other schools i was scared, some failed and even tho i did ok i was worried about failure ( because even if i get everything right i still worry about maeby i messed up), at the end i met the head of the schools, got my black belt and all but was ... mmm not really what i expected of that day, but it was actually pretty cool.

[@heidiwolfendon3573]

My 14 year old son and I have our adult black belt test in three weeks. Our dojo put together a special class it called black belt boot camp and is 2hrs. on a Friday night twice a month to help us train so we will be ready.

[@georgesegien7121]

When I received my blackbelt I was told now that you've mastered the basics it time to learn!

[@cubingcubez6678]

*Make it 10km Run for the Kids*

[@tammm2015]

When getting ready to test for black belt, don't wait until you're informed to test. You're being tested every day in class, leading up to test day.

[@leojohnson1894]

in the 1980's i took karate i worked up to a yellow belt working to train for the blue belt then left unable to do a lot cause of injury's i still read and research the art's and understand a great deal more i put together my own library of books to read and research it has helped me a great deal i have gone through some of the tests lower level unfortunately injury's took over i took the test and able to pass the first time a group test

[@J-Bones87]

I just tested for Second-degree brown belt in Okinawa shorin Ryu it took me six years of sweat and hard work,

[@cainmorano4956]

Your black belt test should be a mere formal nod of agreement that you should wear a black belt. It should not be some ritual with an unknown outcome, just a long beating to welcome you to the club.

[@heavymeddle28]

It only took me 6 months to get from white to black belt in tae kwon do and karate. Because I use the way of no washing do

[@yesbro3500]

Took me 12 years and finally a black belt I had to hold my leg in a side kick in 1 min & 30 sec as a endurance test :')

[@toumiska]

Hi everyone, Right niw it is 00:49 my black belt exam is today in 12h