GRADINGS - Gradings are conducted once a month on the last Saturday of each month. There is no grading in December, and grading dates and times are occasionally subject to change due to school activities, so it's a good idea to check the web site or notice board before turning up.
The purpose of the grading is to assess student's knowledge and abilities at their current level, and decide if they are ready to move on to the next stage of training. Students are asked to perform all elements of their belt assignment to demonstrate technical competence as well as defensive skills and fitness levels.
It is important to remember that each individual is assessed on their own personal merits and not compared to anyone else. We all develop at different rates, and this is accounted for when assessments are made.
Students are not put forward to grade unless the instructor feels they have reached a reasonable standard, so there should never be any doubts in the student's ability to perform well.
On the few rare occasions that students are retested, it is usually because they were not physically or mentally up to par on the day, and it is felt that they should be given another chance to do themselves justice.
It is easy to take the view that in this situation the student has failed, but this is not the case. It must be realised that students are on a continuous development gradient and that failure is never an issue. We must accept that there are ups and downs in our physical and mental state as well as leaps and bounds in our rate of learning whatever the subject concerned. Students are asked to perform at a Choi Kwang-Do grading to the best of their ability and to push back their limitations. If they can do this, then the sense of pride and achievement becomes the most important factor in the results, not just the award of another belt.