BCM Taekwondo Testing Requirements
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These are the current guidelines for promotional
testing as of May 2004.
These have changed in the past and are subject to further change as
well.
9th
Gyup
9th gyup is the rank one automatically assumes when you attend your first class. In our class, you must “test,” however, to wear a uniform. This accomplishes several things such as insuring a degree of interest before you invest in a uniform or equipment, instilling a degree of respect and pride in wearing the uniform, and allowing the uniform to represent a level of membership in the class.
The testing requirements:
* Perform basic I on your own count with no mistakes, preferably before the entire class.
8th
Gyup (Yellow Belt)
8th gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the first official testing. The belt is changed from white to yellow. No stripes are worn on the yellow belt at this rank.
The testing requirements:
* Perform basic I and basic II on your own count
* Demonstrate sparring
* Break one board with the technique your instructor has arranged for you
* Attend at least 10 classes
* Log at least 20 hours of class and or practice time
* At least 2 months in class
7th
Gyup (Yellow Belt, 3 stripes)
7th gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the second testing. The belt is not changed, but three stripes are added to the yellow belt, representing the third and final rank of the beginner level.
The testing requirements:
* Prerequisite of 8th gyup rank
* Perform basic I, II and III on your own count
* Demonstrate sparring
* Break one board with the technique your instructor has arranged for you, same as last testing
* Attend at least 10 classes since last testing
* Log at least 20 hours of class and or practice time since last testing
* At least 4 months total in class
6th
Gyup (Green Belt)
6th gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the third testing. This is a special testing since the belt is actually changed from yellow to green. This is the first of the three intermediate ranks.
The testing requirements:
* Prerequisite of 7th gyup rank
* Perform basic I through Pyoung on I
* Perform Pal Gwe I & II
* Demonstrate sparring
* Break one board with a new technique
* Attend at least 10 classes since last testing
* Log at least 20 hours of class and or practice time since last testing
* At least 6 months total in class
* Own your own sparring equipment before testing: Headgear, gloves, shin-insteps, mouthpiece.
5th
Gyup (Green Belt, two stripes)
5th gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the fourth testing. The belt is not changed, but two stripes are added to it, representing the second of the three intermediate ranks.
The testing requirements:
* Prerequisite of 6th gyup rank
* Perform basic I through Pyoung on II
* Perform Pal Gwe I through IV
* Demonstrate sparring
* Break one board with a new technique
* Attend at least 10 classes since last testing
* Log at least 20 hours of class and or practice time since last testing
* At least 8 months total in class
4th Gyup (Blue Belt)
4th gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the fifth testing. The belt is changed from green to blue. This is the third of the three intermediate ranks.
The testing requirements:
* Prerequisite of 5th gyup rank
* Perform basic I through Pyoung on III
* Perform Pal Gwe I through V
* Demonstrate sparring
* Break one board with a new technique
* Attend at least 10 classes since last testing
* Log at least 20 hours of class and or practice time since last testing
* At least 10 months total in class
3rd Gyup (Red Belt)
3rd gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the sixth testing. The belt is changed from blue to red. This is a major testing, moving the student from intermediate to the first of the three advanced ranks.
The testing requirements:
* Prerequisite of 4th gyup rank
* Perform basic I through Pyoung on IV
* Perform Pal Gwe I through VI
* Demonstrate high levels of sparring ability
* Break several boards, all using different techniques
* Attend at least 20 classes since last testing
* Log at least 40 hours of class and or practice time since last testing
* At least 14 months total in class
* Attend at least one testing as 4th Gyup rank where you are NOT testing
2nd Gyup (Red Belt, two stripes)
2nd gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the seventh testing. The belt is not changed but two stripes are added to the red belt, representing the second of the three advanced levels.
The testing requirements:
* Prerequisite of 3rd gyup rank
* Perform basic I through Pyoung on V
* Perform Pal Gwe I through VII
* Demonstrate high levels of sparring ability
* Break several boards, all using different techniques
* Attend at least 20 classes since last testing
* Log at least 40 hours of class and or practice time since last testing
* At least 18 months total in class
* Attend at least one testing as 3rd gyup rank where you are NOT testing
1st Gyup (Red Belt, three stripes)
1st gyup is the rank acquired upon successful completion of the 8th testing. The belt is not changed but one stripe is added to the red belt with two stripes (three total), representing the highest of the three advanced levels.
The testing requirements:
* Prerequisite of 2nd gyup rank
* Perform basic I through Pyoung on V
* Perform Pal Gwe I through VIII
* Demonstrate high levels of sparring ability
* Break several boards, all using different techniques
* Attend at least 30 classes since last testing
* Log at least 60 hours of class and or practice time since last testing
* At least 24 months total in class
* Attend at least two testings as 2nd gyup rank where you are NOT testing
These are the basic testing guidelines. The instructor may use his / her discretion with each student. Sometimes the testing may be lighter than what is required. Oftentimes, all of the required forms are not performed at testing. Sometimes, even the HIGHEST level form required to test may not be seen by the instructor / panel of judges. Sometimes a student may be allowed to pass despite having failed to break his / her board. Sometimes the testing may be heavier than required. One step sparring, self defense techniques and demonstrations of techniques from different styles may be asked of applicants, especially at the higher ranks. Students may be asked to break several boards at any rank, often MANY and multiple boards or bricks or other materials at higher ranks. Whatever the case, students are responsible for at least all the material listed above for the designated rank.
Finally, and most importantly, the testing is more or less a “graduation.” If you are asked to test, it means that you are already ready for the testing. If a student is NOT prepared for testing, he will most likely be asked to wait until the next testing rather than failed.
© 2004 DoMartialArts.com