Our grading system
What is a grading?
A Grading is when a student is assessed for their next belt.
It is essentially a physical test by a BTKA Grading Examiner to ensure that the student can competently perform the techniques in the syllabus for that belt. It must be remembered that the belt a karate-ka wears indicates his or her current level. A karate-ka can be down graded if he or she fails to maintain the standard required of their grade.
The BTKA has a syllabus setting out the techniques that a student must be able to perform competently to be entitled to wear the belt of each grade. A copy of the syllabus is available from club instructors.
What does a grading involve?
A normal kyu grading will involve an initial lesson, to warm up and run through grading techniques.
During the grading itself, the student will be instructed by the grading examiner to perform the techniques set down in the syllabus for the grade the student is taking.
Kihon will be examined first, followed by pairs and then kata. Free fighting kumite will come last and is compulsory for all students taking gradings of 6th kyu and above except students aged eleven years or below, or forty or above, for whom it is optional.
Not all these headings will always be examined for a grade. For example, kata is not examined until 7th kyu.
When can I grade?
The fundamental rule is that your instructor will tell you when you are ready to grade.
Between kyu gradings up to 4th kyu, (other than from 9th to 8th kyu for young juniors) there is a minimum period of three months between gradings, although at the discretion of the instructor and the grading examiner this can be shortened if gasshuku are attended.
Students should be thoroughly familiar with their grading techniques before attempting to grade.
Most importantly, a student’s instructor must have agreed that he or she can grade before taking the grade. No student should turn up at a grading expecting to grade unless their instructor has given permission.
As a student approaches the higher kyu grades, issues other than technical ability are taken into account, particularly the attitude that the student displays to karate and to other karate-ka. This will be most important in gradings for 3rd kyu and above.
Generally between 4th Kyu up to 1st Kyu, there must be in each case a minimum of four months continuous training. Between 1st kyu and 1st Dan there is usually a minimum of six months continuous training.
What must I bring to a grading?
At least a month before your grading, you should check that your licence is up to date and will not expire before the grading. If it is 
just about to expire, renew it immediately. You will not be permitted to grade without producing an up to date licence.
You will need to bring:
- Your licence booklet.
- Your grading fee of £20.
- Pads and other protection for kumite.