Kyu Tests
Note: Testing date changed to November 8th.
With Andrew about to take his first rank test I thought I would do a little write up so that he knows what to expect. The test will be on November 8th at Boulder Aikikai at 6 pm. Come out and support if you can!
First of all, a little explanation of rank in aikido. In our organization, ASU, students progress through 6 white belt ranks called kyu ranks. These count down from sixth kyu (the test Andrew will be taking) to first kyu and emphasize knowledge of the technical curriculum. After that is the first black belt test for the rank of shodan. Shodan means first step, and signifies having the technical basis to start delving into the deeper aspects of aikido. From there the black belt ranks count up (2nd dan, 3rd dan, and so on). Note that while they are called tests, people generally do not fail them as teachers will not put students up for promotion who are not ready.
For sixth kyu, there are three things that I emphasize:
- Know the names of the techniques
Stand up straight
- Relax and do not rush
If a student can handle these three things in front of an audience it is a sign of good training.
Bowing in is an important part of the test. Usually there is a class before testing to get warmed up. When testing is ready to commence everyone lines up at the back of the dojo while the testing board gets into position. The testing board will call people up by name, usually followed by a request for an uke. At this time the student should shikko up to about 3 full mats back from the shomen. The uke will shikko up to the same line usually on the opposite side from the testing board. The examinee will then do a full seated bow to the shomen, then to the testing board, and finally to his uke.
From there the test itself will begin. For sixth kyu the board will usually give the command to stand and then start calling out technique names. The student will repeat the technique, alternating sides until the board gives the command for the next technique. If the technique has an omote and ura form always do two omote followed by two ura and then repeat until the next technique is called.
After the last technique the board will call "finish". The student will shikko back to where the student bowed in and repeat the pattern in reverse, bowing first to the uke, then the board, then the shomen (note that this order varies by dojo). At this time the student will shikko backwards towards a seat in the rear line. If doing shikko for this distance is difficult standing up after a couple of steps is acceptable, but the student's back should not turn towards the shomen.
That said, here is what is on the sixth kyu test. Make sure to run these through your head as much as possible so you do not have to think about them when the test comes. Also be aware that in some cases students will be asked to take ukemi for one another on the test.
- katate dori tenkan - same side grab turning exercise (if you hear tenkan, this is what they want to see)
katate dori irimi* - same side grab entering exercise
shomen uchi ikkyo, omote and ura - overhead front strike first technique, to the front and rear
shomen uchi irimi nage - overhead front strike entering throw (usually just the ura version)
mune tsuki kote gaeshi - chest punch wrist reversal (usually just the ura version)
katate dori shiho nage omote and ura - same side grab four direction throw to the front and rear
yokomen uchi shiho nage omote and ura* - temple strike four direction throw to the front and rear
kokyu tanden ho - seated breath exercise
* designates something that is not technically in the test curriculum but is commonly asked for
More information on testing in the ASU student handbook: https://asu.org/student-handbook/asu-requirements-for-testing-and-promotion/