Regular graduations are held for the kids programmes where students will demonstrate the skills they have learned for the stripes/badges they have earned over the past few months.
Graduations are held at MWBA with a live feed on our private group page for parents to view. Students are presented with their new belt and certificate and move to the next grade in the programme.
Gradings are scheduled approximately every 3-4 months, however this does
not mean that students will be eligible to promote as students are
judged on individual performance not as part of a group.
It is inevitable that some students will find certain criteria
more challenging than others and may progress more quicker as a result.
It Is important that each student should have their own journey
and be aiming to improve at each step as it is not a race!
Gradings are not only held to distinguish grade, but to improve the
ability to deal with stress which is essential for character
development. To ensure test
conditions, no spectators are permitted.
Degree Gradings are held annually for students from our regional group NTA (Northern Taekwon-Do Academies). The NTA Degree Grading Panel is led by Grandmaster Wallace IX
Part 1 - Teaching
Candidates for 1st Degree must offer their time to contribute
24 hours of teaching and the number of hours will increase for degree
grades. Giving up time to help others on their journey is
extremely important and essential to the future of the martial art.
Part 2 - Thesis/Essay
All candidates must submit a Thesis/Essay on a chosen subject
depending on the grade. This is another area where the student
must dedicate time and give the examiners an insight into their journey
to Blackbelt.
Part 3 - Theory Test
This exam varies
dependent upon the degree sought and covers most subjects for technical
questions, to the understanding of the "Do" in Tae Kwon-Do.
Part 4 - Fitness
The Fitness test is a target based circuit which is practiced
regularly.
Part 5 -
Physical Exam
NTA Degree Tests are held once/twice per year with the NTA Panel
of Examiners for students testing
from 1st-6th Degree. The Exam begins with a practice/warm-up
session to ease the nerves. Following this, candidates
will perform their physical exam where all patterns will be performed,
along with technical kicking sequences, free-sparring, step-sparring,
self-defence sequences and power testing of hand and foot techniques. Upon completion,
candidates will receive their result.
NTA Blackbelts are also in attendance to support the candidates during their exam.