GRADINGS
Coloured Belt Grading Information

Gradings take place at the Academy approximately every 3 months (March, June, September and December) and are based on regular training at silver level (twice a week). Students training only once a week (as well as very young students) should expect considerably longer times between gradings. Students can pass and fail gradings as they are solely based on their performance on grading days.

Junior grades (white/10th kup through to green belt blue tag/5th kup) are available to take at three monthly intervals; senior grades (blue/4th kup to red belt black tag/1st kup) are available to take at 6 month intervals. The only exceptions to this time scale are students who have received an 'A' level pass mark at their previous grading, in which case grading times can be halved if the student wishes.


Eligibility to grade depends on a number of factors. A student must have gained the required minimum credits in the 3 or 6 months previous to their grading. The minimum requirements are 50 credits for junior grades and 100 credits senior coloured belt grades of 4th kup and above. This equates to roughly twice weekly training with a few days off in the three/six month period and is easily achievable.

Note: These requirements are a minimum, not an average and most students should easily achieve in access of this number.

Furthermore: All students should be aware that they can fail, as well as pass gradings. They are not a rite of passageg and must be earned and all students should ensure they fully understand what will be required of them before grading.

Students grading will be expected to perform and demonstrate everything at their required level to a good standard, plus anything from previous gradings (which must also be of a good standard). Students will furthermore be expected to know all required terminology for their current grade and all previous terminology learnt.


With regards to gradings that require destruction techniques to be demonstrated, the following should be noted:

1.Students at green belt level or above will have three attempts to break, failure to do so will result in a failed grading. Grading examiners have the power to issue further attempts only if they deem it appropriate or stop breaking if a student looks as though he/she could be injured due to insufficient technique in measuring up or a mis-judged break (this will also result in a failed grading).

2.Yellow belt grades are required to break, but if they fail to break, it will reflect on their pass mark but not automatically fail their grading. They will however be required to repeat the technique at their next grading.

3.All students will attempt to break on boards considered proper to their age and grade.

4.Students over 8 will break with training shoes on and demonstrate hand techniques on training pads for safety.

5.Students over 16 will be required to break with both hand and foot techniques, to boards, without any padding.

"No student will be allowed to wear apparel they may add an advantage to their destruction (i.e. Ankle supports), this includes medical items, in which case a student should decide whether it is safe to break without it or wait until it is to grade. Students should not take risks with healing injuries and as such the instructor may stop them grading if they try!


On completion of a grading, students will be told if they have passed or failed when all the results have been collated. Please note this can take up to a week.

The following pass marks are awarded following a grading:
F - Fail. A student may grade again at the next available grading
L - Low Level pass. A students performance is deemed below average
O - This is an average level pass, which most students obtain
O+ - this is an above average pass
A - This is an exceptional pass and very rare at Rayners Lane (Only 5 been awarded in its history)

It should be noted that students who manage to pass a grading with an 'L' level pass MUST pass their next grading at 'O' level or higher and failure to do so will mean a failure. No students are allowed to receive two 'L' level passes as consecutive gradings. In many cases, an 'L' pass is indictive of a specific area, such as breaking 3rd attempt or slightly low theory, rather than a low level across the whole grading (which would cause a failure in most instances)

If a student has successfully passed a grading they will receive their certificate, license and new belt or tag at their next class.

All gradings results are final and no discussion will be entered into with regards to changing the results. Students will however be informed on major areas they may need to improve on as well as fed back during the grading itself.

To see pictures from coloured belt gradings, please use the links on the Grading Results Page


To see a video clip of a coloured belt 9th to 3rd Kup grading: click here   (right click to download as they are big clips)

o see a video clip of a coloured belt 2nd kup grading:
click here     (right click to download as they are big clips)




Black Belt Gradings

Eligibility towards taking your black belt examination: Black belt is possibly one of the most important examinations you will undertake in Taekwon-do. Not only does it represent the acquisition of required basic knowledge, but an understanding that you are crossing the threshold of martial arts training and as such a black belt attitude and mindset are vitally important.

Students who are eligible for their black belt grading will be invited to do so by the instructor and should not, under any circumstances ask to grade. Assessment for eligibility for black belt gradings covers a lot of areas which are not confined to simply technical expertise. Students must also have completed a 'Tour of Duty', which is a 6 month teaching assignment designed to help instructorship abilities, somewhere between 4th and 1st kup. If in doubt about what is required to become eligible, please ask your instructor.

Being a good black belt is more than simply knowing your techniques! Refining and understanding what you know is imperative, the correct attitude towards training, teaching and behavior are very important. Black belt represents a lot, especially a black belt from this Academy; as such the following guidelines are in place:

1.The completion of 2nd kup grading
2.Regular training at 1st kup for a minimum of 6 months (accruing at least 100 credits minimum)
3.Completion of the necessary requirements regarding teaching ability
4.Assessment by your instructor
5.Completion of a written paper (once eligibility has been established)
6.Invitation to grade
7.Students may also be required to attend a pre-grading, or attend classes with examiners

Following the above criteria being met, students will be invited to grade by their instructor at the next available black belt grading. They should not request it, as not only is this attitude improper but it may cause upset and offence if the request is denied. Simply, you will grade when you are ready!


Black Belt Gradings are split into 5 sections:
1.Terminology
2.Patterns
3.Sparring
4.Self Defence
5.Destruction.


Levels Of Pass
- Pass with Distinction: Overall 80% with 70% in each section
- Pass with Merit: Overall 70% - 79%, with 60% in each section
- Pass: 60% - 69% (Although a total mark of over 50% to 60% in each area, is to be obtained by a candidate, a pass will be disallowed if any ONE out of the FIVE disciplines is under 50%



To see pictures or read reports from Black Belt Gradings , please use the links on the Grading Results Page

To see a video clip of a Black Belt grading:
click here
Gradings at Rayners Lane Academy are of the highest calibre. A student who passes has certainly earned it. Students at the Academy grade under an indepentant examing board, consisting of at least 3 examiners (2 of whom are from outside the Academy). We will not pass a student simply because they may quit if we dont, because they are young or because they have attended X amount of lessons. Gradings are a test of ability, no more, no less!

To see the past and present grading results, please click the link below, or read on to learn more about gradings at Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy