Gradings

A grading is an examination where your ability in three elements of Shotokan karate is assessed. These elements comprise Kihon (basics), Kata (form) and Kumite (sparring) and the syllabus for your particular grade is detailed on the website and on the back of your training record card.

Gradings are every 3 months (March, June, September and December) and as each grading approaches, your instructors will assess if you are ready and check if you wish to grade. If you meet all the grading requirements (see back of training record card), then your instructor will sign your card accordingly.

As each grading approaches, you will be notified of the grading venue, dates and times by newsletter, which can also be found on the website. Please ensure you check the grading date and time for your particular age and grade. There is a time for registration and you should arrive in good time to register and change if necessary. Remember there may be quite a queue for registration. Please bring the following with you:

• Training record card with instructor's signature;
• UKTKF licence - hard-backed blue book (if you have recently joined, you may not yet have received this);
• Payment, either in cash or cheque (made payable to ESKA);
• Two passport-sized photographs (1st Grading only).

Immediately before each grading, there is a training course which is compulsory for all students wishing to grade. It is an opportunity to warm up thoroughly and revise your grading syllabus.

After the training course, you will be allowed a very short break before the grading starts. All those grading will then be lined up and the grading will begin. The grading panel, which consists of a number of instructors, will call you up by grade and ask you to complete the three elements of the syllabus. Once you have finished, you should sit down and maintain a respectful silence until every student has been graded. Afterwards, there will be a short break to complete the paperwork. Grading students will then be lined up again and the results announced.

Normally, the lowest grades go first. However, we grade red belts before white belts so the novices have an opportunity to see what happens. The system then reverts to grade order.

There are three pass levels: credit (70%), merit (80%) and distinction (90%). Each element is graded and an overall mark given (eg if you gain 2 credits and 1 merit, then your overall mark will be a credit). However, this is not applicable when Sensei Kawasoe is the chief examiner; he only assesses whether you are suitable to progress to the next kyu grade.

If you are grading for 9th kyu (red belt)�or�8th kyu (orange belt) and gain distinctions in all three elements, then you will be given the opportunity to perform the kata appropriate to the next grade. If you do this to the grading panel's satisfaction, then you may double-grade.

You will be given your new belt and your new training record card. Your licence book will be returned to you with your new grade stamped. You will also receive a certificate, which is usually presented to you at an ESKA Presentation evening, held every six months.

Sometimes, you may not be successful. If this is the case, you will be given a replacement training record card and your licence will be returned to you. If you have been unsuccessful in just one element, then you will only have to repeat this one element at the next grading.

Yes, we are happy for family and friends to come along to support you although we would ask that they are quiet during the grading. Space can often be an issue so it may not always be possible to accommodate everyone.

Gradings are not compulsory.

The grades start with a novice wearing a white belt and continue as follows:

• 9th kyu Red belt
• 8th kyu Orange belt
• 7th kyu Yellow belt
• 6th kyu Green belt
• 5th kyu Purple belt
• 4th kyu Purple and white belt
• 3rd kyu Brown belt
• 2nd kyu Brown and white belt
• 1st kyu Brown and double white belt
• 1st Dan + Black belt