Grading Syllabus

The ASKA grading syllabus utilises the usual kyu grade and Dan grade system. Kyu grades, sometimes referred to as coloured belts, are all the grades below black belt. Dan grades, are black belt grades.

The grading syllabus is a living document, by that I mean it is subject to change and is not written in stone. Changes to the ASKA grading syllabus only come about after much thought. When any change in the syllabus occurs it is made to improve the syllabus. Changes are never made simply for the sake of change.

Ungraded students wear a white belt before taking their first grading examination. There are 9 kyu grades, starting at 9th kyu and working up to 1st kyu. The next grade is Shodan, 1st Dan - black belt.

Depending on how hard and regularly you train, you can expect to reach the point where you may be asked to prepare for a Dan grading around 3 to 5 years after commencing training.

You must train for the minimum period of time between gradings and of course have reached the required standard before any grading is attempted.

Kyu gradings are conducted 3 times a year, and Black Belt (Dan) gradings are usually conducted once a year. All gradings are carried out by the Chief Instructor and grading panel.  Members will be invited to attempt grades according to their level of technical competence, training attendance and dojo etiquette.

Grading syllabus can be viewed from the links above or downloaded as a PDF file:

"What we achieve too easily we esteem too lightly".

Sensei John

Dan Grade Ranking - Time in Grade 

ASKA Dan gradings are syllabus based and competency tested. Dan gradings are carried out by ASKA’s Chief Instructor. The content of the grading for any particular individual may be varied by the Chief Instructor depending on circumstance. 

The words ‘in principle’ in the time requirements below allow for flexibility within the stated time intervals. This flexibility allows those who train harder and or more frequently and subsequently achieve a higher standard in their karate than their contemporaries, the opportunity to attempt further gradings earlier. This is a just reward for their effort.

Therefore no specific time frame need apply for Dan gradings up to and including Yondan, (4^th Dan). 

Students are not automatically entitled to undertake a Dan grading simply because they have been training for a certain number of years. 

Invitations to undertake a Dan grading are made to ASKA students by the ASKA Chief Instructor who takes into account the student's personal growth in karate-do as well as their technical ability. 

Shodan -1st Dan  

Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects. 

Students grow and mature as individuals in the art after Shodan and they continue that growth after each new Dan level if they maintain the correct mental attitude.

Nidan - 2nd Dan

Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects (in principle 2 years training after achieving Shodan) - minimum age of 16 years. 

This grading assesses improvement in the technical aspects of the students development since Shodan.

Sandan - 3rd Dan 

Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects (in principle 3 years training after achieving Nidan). 

At Sandan the student should be at his technical best and be able to teach those technical aspects. Hence the grading requirement to demonstrate intricate kihon drills using both sides of the body equally as well as kata, kobudo and kumite.

Yondan - 4th Dan 

Completion of syllabus and tested competent in all aspects (in principle 3 years training after achieving Sandan).

This grading is about technical performance and teaching. At Yondan the student must demonstrate a depth of knowledge that has grown through training/teaching since Sandan.

Godan - 5th Dan and above

Godan and above grades are earned and awarded but are not syllabus tested.

A minimum of 3 years further training/teaching is required in-between these grades for Godan and above. Service to karate as well as written articles and research is also taken into account for grades of Godan and above.

This model recognizes competent skilled karate-ka and rewards service to the art.