Testing Requirements

Note: all test time minimums are just that - minimums - don't expect to automatically test as soon as the minimums have passed. Keep in mind that there are many other factors that determine when a student will test. Advancing to higher belt levels is based on attitude, performance, attendance and individual rate of progress. The class instructor is the only one authorized to appoint students for higher belt tests. Please do not ask when you're going to test, just keep working hard and the tests will come when you are ready. Keep in mind that the belts are earned in class, not at the test. Note: It is a good idea to ask, ""What should I be working on to prepare for the next test?"

The test fees for yellow through brown belt are $60. The color belt tests include your new belt and membership patch.

The 1st degree test is $270 and each test after that increases $50. The black belt tests include your new embroidered black belt and certificate.

White belt - everyone starts as a white belt and there is no test.

Yellow belt - Test Scores: 8 1/2 Kup - 7 Kup

  1. Minimum of two months and 16 classes attended as a white belt.
  2. Perform Kuk Mu 1 and Kuk Mu 2 forms with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, balance, and focus.
  3. Perform Basic Three Step Sparring Techniques 1,2, and 3 with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, balance, and focus.
  4. Perform all front, horse, and back stance basics and front kick - side kick combination with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  5. Have developed sufficient discipline to move on to the next level.

Green belt - Test Scores: 6 1/2 Kup - 5 Kup

  1. Minimum of three months and 24 classes attended as a yellow belt.
  2. All Yellow Belt requirements with improved speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  3. Perform Pyong An 1 and Pyong An 2 forms with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  4. Perform Reverse Punch and Six Step Basics with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, balance, and focus.
  5. Utilize basics in Free-style sparring.
  6. Demonstrate continued growth in discipline of your mind, body, and spirit.
  7. Break at least 1" of wood (1X12 pine cut into 10" length).

Purple belt - Test Scores: 4 1/2 Kup - 3 Kup

  1. Minimum of four months and 32 classes attended as a green belt.
  2. All requirements of previous levels with further improved speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  3. Perform Pyong An 2 and Pyong An 3 forms with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, balance, and focus.
  4. Be able to perform Three Step Sparring Techniques # 1-6 with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  5. Demonstrate improved sparring techniques, including use of combinations.
  6. Continued to demonstrate growth in the discipline of your mind, body, and spirit.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to pass knowledge to lower belts.
  8. Break at least 2" of wood (two 1" boards (1X12 pine cut into 10" lengths)). 

Brown belt - Test Scores: 2 1/2 Kup - 1 Kup

  1. Minimum of six months and 48 classes attended as a purple belt.
  2. All requirements of previous levels with further improved speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  3. Perform Pyong An 4 and Pyong An 5 forms with appropriate speed, accuracy, focus, power, and balance.
  4. Be able to perform Three Step Sparring Techniques # 1-6 with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  5. Demonstrate improved sparring techniques, including larger variety of combinations and improved blocking techniques.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to instruct small groups.
  7. Continue to demonstrate growth in the discipline of your mind, body, and spirit.
  8. Break at least 3" of wood (three 1" boards (1X12 pine cut into 10" lengths)). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st degree black belt (1st Dan)-

  1. Minimum of 15 months and 100 classes attended as a brown belt.
  2. All requirements of previous levels with further improved speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.
  3. Perform Chul Gi 1 and Pal Sek forms with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, focus and balance.
  4. Perform Three Step Sparring Techniques # 1-6 with appropriate speed, accuracy, power, focus, and balance.  Also show your proficiency at one step sparring.
  5. Demonstrate improved sparring techniques, including an even greater variety of combinations and improved blocking techniques.  Also demonstrate your ability in two-on-one sparring.
  6. Demonstrate ability to instruct large groups, and at times with the instructor present, the entire class.
  7. Continue to demonstrate growth in the discipline of your mind, body, and spirit.
  8. Break at least 4" of wood (four 1" boards (1X12 pine cut into 10" lengths)).
  9. Attend at least one USATMA regional event (i.e. annual workout and test in Los Alamos, NM).
  10. Have attained the proper mental attitude to be recommended by the instructors for test by the Masters Review Board.

Note:  All wood breaking requirements may be reduced or waived at the instructor's discretion.