TESTING/GRADING
What's the purpose of testing for the next rank? People have different reasons. For some, it's a sense of achievement, some it's to test their knowledge and for others, it's just too cool to wear another color belt. For whatever the reason, a test must be taken seriously. One should prepare for their next exam from the moment they've earned their current rank. The belt one wears is a measurement of their knowledge, nothing more! All too often I've seen students take an exam when they only have a superficial understanding instead of a firm grip of what they're doing. One should exude confidence when they step on the floor to test. Their mindset should be "I'm here to claim my belt", not "let's see if I can squeek by". All too often I see students equate acquiring a belt to winning a trophy. It's not a prize, it's a measurement of one's skill. I've seen schools encourage their students to test - even when they're not ready for the sake of generating more test fees - this does not happen here. So next time when you step on the floor to test, show the grading panel you're here to "collect" your belt. At our dojo, "your rank is earned, not promised."
