Rank Testing

White to Purple Belt
At these levels, the rank advancement is every 3 months. From 5th kyu to 4th kyu a stripe is added. Taikyoku Shodan, Heian Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Heian Yondan and then Heian Godan are the katas for this level. Students are expected to learn the Bunkai for these levels and are asked to demonstrate their levels of knowledge at the belt test.
An added dimension to the grading tests is physical fitness. At the test for 9th kyu, 5 sit ups, 5 push ups and 5 jumping jacks must be perfomed by each student. As the belt tests get further along, more will be added to each test, so by the time they reach 1st kyu testing, they will be expected to perform 45 of each excercise prior to the test.

Brown Belts
A big step up from the previous ranks and now the mental strength as well as physical stamina comes into play as the 3rd through 1st kyu ranks are considered senior ranks and are treated as such.
The level of commitment from the higher kyu ranks will be monitored by sensei for consistency - attendence, ability, and interactions with other karate - ka in the dojo.
Again, a stripe will be added to the belt every six months proving the karate-ka attains the required level of competence.
Less than half those who achieve 3rd Kyu will eventually reach black belt. Katas for brown belt are Tekki Shodan, Jion and Bassai Dai. 

Black Belt - Shodan!
Wearing a black belt is a great privilege, and carries a deal of responsibility. Fewer than 1 in 10,000 people ever try their hand at a martial art. For every 1000 people who do begin Karate, fewer than 50 will achieve a Dan grade. Most will drop out before they achieve a senior grade (senior grades are 3rd Kyu - brown belt - and above).
The black belt test usually takes place not less than 6 months after a passing grade 1st kyu. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, a Shodan Ho will be awarded.
The Shodan candidate is expected to know every kata from Taikyoku Shodan up as well as any kata selected from an approved list which can include Kanku Dai, Enpi, and Jion.
Some people assume that reaching Shodan means they have mastered karate - this is wrong! Shodan means the karate-ka has acquired enough knowledge to begin the karate journey - it is lifelong.

Yudansha 
The Japanese word 'yudansha' is the term given to a group of people that have attained a certain level i.e. 1st Dan Black Belt and above. The English translation of Yudansha is derived as follows: Yu - meaning "have" Dan - meaning "grade" Sha - meaning a group of people


Kyu grade testing dates
Rank testing for kyu grades are four times per year. It is the students responsibility to attend on the day. Please make sure that test fees are paid before any test can be taken.
Any missed test will be made up three months later at the next rank test. These dates are:
March 13
June 12
September 18
December 11