Belt Testing Recommendations

You are encouraged to take tests that mark your progress and recognize your improvement in karate.

Belt testing usually follows the quarterly regional seminar. Inform your instructor(s) if you plan to take a test at the next seminar.

In regional seminars, you represent the Silicon Forest Karate Club. If you take a test, then you are a highly visible reflection of our members and instructors. The instructors cannot really prevent you from testing, but you are expected to invest sufficient time training and preparing for each test. Below is a general (not strictly enforced) guideline for training time between tests.

Each promotion requires more time and effort than the last.
Get feedback from your Intel instructor(s) at a minimum. Feedback from other regional instructors is valuable, especially at the black belt levels.
Your instructor(s) will make the call regarding your readiness for testing. This may happen as late as the day of your exam, if necessary.
Train for a minimum of three months for kyu levels up to 4th kyu. ("Half-step" or "B" promotions are occasionally awarded at these levels.)
Train for a minimum of six months for third through first kyu (brown belt). (No "half-step" promotions are awarded.)
Train for a minimum of one year for sho-dan, your first black belt.
Train for a minimum of two years for ni-dan, second-degree black belt, and a minimum of three years for san-dan, third-degree black belt—the same number of years as the degree you are testing for.

If you fail your belt test, the examiners will specify an amount of time after which you can retake the test.

Exam Guides

Exam Fees for Northwest Region

8th Kyu:	$25
7th Kyu:	$25
6th Kyu:	$35
5th Kyu:	$35
4th Kyu:	$35
3rd Kyu:	$50
2nd Kyu:	$50
1st Kyu:	$50
1st Dan:	$100
2nd Dan:	$150
3rd Dan:	$200
4th Dan:	$250
5th Dan:	$250
6th Dan:	$250