Your Belt And The Requirements

In TaeKwon-Do, character development, fortitude, tenacity, and technique are graded as well as individual capacity. The promotional scale is divided into nineteen ranks - 10 grades (Gups) and nine degrees (Dans). The former begins with 10th grade (Gup) the lowers and ends at first grade. Degrees begin with the first degree (Dan) and ends with the ultimate ninth degree (Dan).

There is significance in the numbering system. With degree, the number 9 is not only the highest single digit number but is also the number 3 multiplied by 3. In the orient, three is the most esteemed of all the numbers. The Chinese character '3' contains three lines: the upper line symbolizes the heaven, the middle line mortals, and the bottom line earth.

New students will start at the rank of 10th Gup - White Belt. For students who have had previous TaeKwon-Do training, you may ask the instructor for permission to wear your present rank or equivalent rank, but you will not be allowed to test for a higher rank until you have met all the requirements for the rank you hold.

Promotion tests are held at throughout the year. The instructors will decide prior to the test what students are eligible to test and will notify them. A student will be eligible if the following criterion is met:

• Student has trained at least the minimum required number of classes for the session(s) required
• Student has "mastered" his or her pattern designated for that rank
• Student has sufficiently proven to the instructors all other techniques for that rank have been successfully accomplished - kicks, hand techniques, self-defense techniques, model sparring, etc.
• Student has demonstrated good attitude and the ability to live by the tenets of TaeKwon-Do
• Student (not adults) has maintained positive attitude in school, kept up with school assignments, and has his or her permission from their parent(s) to test
• Senior rank students (Blue Belts and above) have demonstrated they want to be role models to lower rank students, and help the instructors with classes, demonstrate the willingness to help others, and will be appropriate representatives of the Midwest Academy Of TaeKwon-Do.
• A uniform is required for testing. If you need to order or replace a worn uniform please see your instructor.
• A test fee is required - test fees are kept at a very low amount - this fee is used for supplies such as certificates, printer supplies, belts, belt tape.