Students under 14 years

Children up to 14 years of age alternate between sen  and kyu gradings. The sen grading is taken first followed by a kyu grading about three months later.

The sen and kyu tests at each level are identical but the technical standard is expected to be better on the kyu test.

In most cases the sen grade is a ribbon/stripe in the colour of the next belt.

Example:

• The first grading a student will take will be a 9th sen (white belt with a  red stripe)
• The second grading will be a 9th kyu (red belt)

• The third grading will be a 8th sen(red belt with orange stripe)

• The fourth grading will be a 8th kyu(orange belt)