1. Review the test requirements sheet for your belt level.
2. Know the date and location for your test. Tests are held at the Marion School the second Saturday of the even months (February, April, June, August, October and December). Times vary, so please check the Member Announcements or check with your Instructor.
3. Keep track of the date you started and the number of classes you attend, you will be asked for this information on your test application.
4. Attend regularly scheduled classes and ask your instructor or another Black Belt questions if you aren't sure about anything.
5. Learn the meaning of your form.
6. Break a board with your highest breaking technique before the day of the test. The Marion school reserves every Saturday from 1:30 -–2:00pm for board breaking. If you haven't broken with your highest technique at least two weeks before the test, make sure you make the next Board Breaking Saturday class!

1. Get plenty of rest the night before.
2. Eat a well-balanced breakfast.
3. Review the meaning of your form.
4. Arrive at the test location at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test time.
5. Take a bottle of water to the test and a small hand towel in your gym bag for between activities.
6. Wear a clean dobok to the test.
7. Take your sparring gear, including hand pads, shin & instep pads and head gear. (Optional gear includes groin cup, feet protectors and chest protector.)
8. Stretch out before your test time. You will not be given time to stretch before the test begins.

Students will then be called up one-by-one and lined up by the lead instructor. When your name is called, you should answer 'Yes Sir' or 'Yes Ma'am', whichever is appropriate, and run to your place in line. Once all students are lined up, you will be bowed in and the test begins.

There are 7 phases to the test.

1. Basic movements – here you will be asked to perform punching and kicking techniques.
2. Forms – here you are asked to perform your highest Form and Palgue. Depending on your belt level, you may be asked to perform other Forms and Palgues that you should know.
3. Step Sparring – you will be asked to perform you appropriate step sparring.
4. Free Sparring – as long as you are a yellow belt and above, you will be asked to spar.
5. Breaking Boards – For this part of the test, you will all be asked to sit down towards the back of the room. And you will be asked to approach the board holders. You should set the board holders the way you wish to break, especially if you are performing multiple breaks. Then bow to your judge – making sure you make eye contact. Next, focus on your boards, ki yap to center your power and perform your break. Once you break, bow to your judge, then shake the hands of the board holders and thank them. Then return to your seat.
6. Interview – After everyone has broken, you will be asked up individually by your judge to answer a few questions. When you approach the table, you should bow and stand at attention. Your judge will ask you the meaning of your form and perhaps other terminology. He/she may ask for you to perform all or a part of your form again, or perform a special technique. He/she may give you pointers on improvements to work on for next time. After the interview, you should thank the judge and sit back down.
7. Closing – After all interviews have completed, you will be asked to line back up and bow out. Do not forget to thank the lead instructor and personally shake the hands of the judges after the test.

A couple of hints:

• Note: If there are too many testing at once, you may be asked to sit down at any point in the test to make more room for others. Do not take offense to this, you will receive your turn to perform your forms/sparring/etc…
• If you don't break your board the first time, make any quick adjustments, focus and try again. You will need to break your board for the test.

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