For the entire 9 months leading up to a black belt test, a BB candidate:

• Must attend a minimum of 3 classes per week without exception. Missed classes must be made up. If you are not already on a 3x’s per week membership, then you must upgrade through your Black Belt test. (Membership must be upgraded to 3 classes per week – see the front desk to do so.)
• Minimum 25 classes each cycle attended at the rank of Advanced Red Belt, Advanced Red Belt MT 1, and Senior Advanced Red Belt MT 2 before testing – Minimum 75 classes total. (Missed classes can be made up by attending private lessons – 1/2 hr lesson = 3 classes, 1 hr lesson = 6 classes)
• 1 tournament competition prior to testing for 1st Dan Recommended Black Belt
• Participation in the board breaking seminar during the same cycle as your Black Belt test. Register HERE.
• Complete the AMAA written test in the same cycle as your Black Belt test.
• Submit a typed essay on the topic given to you in the same cycle as your test for Black Belt. View & download test, essay topic HERE.
• Successfully complete the AMAA physical portion of the test: patterns, sparring, and breaking all four board stations successfully.

TEST DAY REQUIREMENTS:

• Patterns must be performed 100% correctly, with power, intensity, and focus. Your instructor will choose from: Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San, Won-Hyo, Yul-Guk, Joong-Gun, Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo. No more than two attempts for each pattern will be allowed. If a student requires two attempts for more than three of the nine patterns, this will result in a “No Change” (failure). Any incorrect movements, sloppiness, or failure to complete a pattern may also result in a “No change” no matter how minimal. Small mistakes can quickly add up to a less than satisfactory performance. If a performance is considered “borderline” the instructors/judges will vote to determine a pass/fail.

• Sparring: (3) Two Minute Rounds and (1) One Minute, 2 vs 1 round must be completed. The entire segment must demonstrate your advanced skills, your control, your stamina, and your black belt attitude. You must show a consistent high level of energy with sustained attacks and defenses. You must keep your hands up, show good footwork, and use combinations with hands and feet. You should incorporate spin kicks and jump kicks into your attacks. Avoid doing the same techniques the entire time. Show courtesy and respect to your opponents throughout. A strong and well-rounded performance that shows good skills, knowledge, stamina, and attitude will be considered a passing performance. Weakness, tiredness, poor attitudes, and crying are not acceptable and will result in a No Change. Also, do not attempt to show your superiority or the ability to beat an opponent that may be slower, weaker, or less skilled. This will also result in a No Change. In the event of an injury during the sparring segment, the student will be given a few moments to recover but then must complete the segment and the rest of the test in order to be considered a successful black belt test. If the student is unable to complete all rounds of the sparring segment, this will result in a No Change.

• Breaking: Students must Break 4 out of 4 Board Stations with 1 Basic Kick, 1 Spin or Jump Spin Kick, 1 Right Hand, 1 Left Hand (kicking stations must be broken with opposite legs). Students are responsible to set up each board in the correct position and at the correct height for their break. Once all four stations are set up, the student must bow in and begin breaking. Practice attempts are not allowed once the student bows and begins breaking. Any movement towards the board or touching of the board counts as a breaking attempt. Each station must be broken in succession and you may only have three (3) attempts at each station. If there is a problem, the student may request to reset the boards. There are no longer any “extra tries” if you do not break. You may not change your techniques once you are set up and begin breaking. Failure to break