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Plainly said, it's best not to be preoccupied with rank. If you're practicing Aikido specifically for the accumulation of rank, you may want to reevaluate your motivations. With that said, a traditional system of rank does exist in order to maintain standards, and offer a process with which every student can demonstrate their growth. You begin unranked. As you move up, you acquire "Kyu" ranks. The order is 6th Kyu, 5th Kyu, 4th Kyu, etc. A white belt is worn throughout the Kyu levels. After your 1st Kyu you can qualify for your 1st Dan, or beginning of the blackbelt levels.
Qualification for rank is based on:
1. Amount of training time since receiving your previous rank.
2. Participation in dojo-sponsored seminars and events.
3. Quality of practice and spirit.
To qualify for your first promotion, you must train a minimum of 20 days. At that point, the Chief Instructor will decide on when you should test, and will come to you with an offer for an exam for promotion (your name will also appear on the list on the dojo white board). Please do not ask for an exam. Everyone gets exams in an appropriate, timely manner. Exams are administered every 6-8 weeks or so, and dates are announced well in advance. After receiving a test date it is expected that you attend class consistently, and participate in dojo-sponsored events during and around that period of time.
Here is how the process of preparing for an exam works:
First of all, RSVP to Sensei after receiving a date. You must then ask someone to mentor you through the process of preparing. They will also be your primary partner on your exam (be sure to run it by Sensei). Your mentor shares responsibility for your preparedness and success, and likewise, also has the responsibility of informing Sensei of any issues that may warrant a postponement. A mentor normally works with only one examinee per test period, so please arrange for a mentor as early as possible. Here is the guideline for selecting a mentor:
If you are testing for 6 Kyu…..You should ask 4 Kyu—1 Kyu
If you are testing for 5 Kyu….. You should ask 3 Kyu—1 Dan
If you are testing for 4-3 Kyu…..You should ask 2 Kyu—1 Dan
If you are testing for 2-1 Kyu…..You should ask 1 Kyu—2 Dan
If you are testing for 1 Dan…..You should ask 1 Dan—3 Dan
There is a small fee for each exam administered, and is due before your exam date:
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All Kids' levels -- $25
6 Kyu -- $25
5 Kyu -- $30
4 Kyu -- $35
3 Kyu -- $40
2 Kyu -- $45
1 Kyu -- $50
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