The first belt test is coming up on Saturday, December 5. This is an opportunity for students, age 7 and older, to test in front of the Chief Instructor for the Southern Region, Sensei Mikami (see Sensei's bio in the sidebar and check out the links) for possible advancement to the next rank, or kyu level. Belt tests are held at our sister club, The New Iberia Karate Institute (NIKI), located at 224 Center Street, New Iberia. Our students combine with students from NIKI for the belt tests. Students younger than 7 years of age may be eligible to test at our dojo in front of our highest ranking members (Sensei Lane, Sensei Soon and Sensei Rose from the adult classes). Before age 7, students attain a Junior Rank with a successful belt test.
Belt tests are scheduled approximately every 4 months. All of our students are white belts, so they will be testing for their yellow belts. The belt color signifies the student's current rank, also known as kyu level. Students begin karate training as white belts and have no real ranking until they pass their first belt test. Subsequently, kyu levels begin with yellow and count down to 1 (8-yellow, 7-orange, 6-green, 5-purple, 4-purple, 3-brown, 2-brown, 1-brown). Then the black belt testing and ranks begin and the rank counts up starting with 1st black (Shodan, or 1st Dan). Hopefully, most of our current students will still be training with us through their black belt exams.
Though we do not put a huge emphasis on rank and belt testing, the experience serves as a particular right of passage for the karate student and provides valuable personal learning and growth opportunities. Belt tests provide a goal for students to work towards. Advancing to the next belt can provide a sense of accomplishment after several months of consistent training. Some students may have 'test anxiety' leading up to the examination. Coping with such anxieties is another aspect of karate training. Learning to overcome anxiety while staying focused on the task at hand is a valuable life skill for all of us. Being well prepared is one way to deal with this type of anxiety.
There are costs associated with belt tests. These fees include a JKA AF membership card which documents the students current rank and date of advacement to the next rank. This card is valid for 1 year or 4 belt tests. The testing fee itself covers Sensei Mikami's expenses and time. The clinic fee is the cost of the additional 1 hour training with Sensei Mikami before the belt test. The fees are as follows:
JKA Card $30 (Card is good for 1 year/4 test)
Test $40
Clinic $10
Clinic $10
All fees are paid to the Lafayette Karate Club during the week before the belt test.
You will most likely hear your karate student talking about the upcoming belt test. Not all students will be ready for this test, however, and may not be recommended to test at this time. Our newest students will certainly need more time to prepare before their first testing opportunity.
