Black Belt Evaluations are an essential part of the Tang Soo Do journey and are distinct from pre-tests. Their primary purpose is to assess a student’s progress and readiness for higher Dan levels. Without regular evaluations, a student cannot advance their Dan rank.
Purpose of Evaluations
- Tracking Progress
- Evaluations are designed to monitor how a black belt student is progressing in their training.
- They ensure students are on track to meet the standards required for their next Dan grade.
- Maintaining Consistency
- Many students work hard to pass a Dan grading but slow their training afterward. Evaluations encourage consistent effort and skill improvement over time.
- Regular training is necessary to maintain and build upon the skills required for your current Dan level.
- Setting Milestones
- Evaluations act as milestones, showing incremental progress towards readiness for the next Dan grading.
Requirements and Process
- Evaluation Frequency and Tabs
- 1st Dan: Must successfully complete 4 evaluations (red tabs added to the belt).
- 2nd Dan: Requires 6 evaluations to test for 3rd Dan.
- 3rd Dan: Needs 8 evaluations to test for 4th Dan or 4th Dan Master Belt.
- After each successful evaluation, a red tab is placed on the belt to visually track progress.
- 1st Dan: Must successfully complete 4 evaluations (red tabs added to the belt).
- Eligibility for Evaluations
- Students must have attended a sufficient number of classes to be eligible for evaluation.
- If a student recently tested for their current Dan, they are not expected to know all the material yet but must show clear progression.
- Fee and Registration
- Fee: €10
- Payment must be made at least two weeks prior to the evaluation:
- Revolut or BOV App to 99801335 (Natalie).
Importance of Regular Evaluations
- Evaluations prevent stagnation in training and ensure that students maintain the standards expected of a black belt.
- They allow instructors to provide targeted feedback, helping students address areas needing improvement.
- By training consistently and preparing for evaluations, students make steady progress and uphold the discipline of Tang Soo Do.