Black Belt Testing Information
This page will have all the information you need to prepare for Black Belt Testing including:
- KEY DATES
- REQUIREMENTS
- WRITTEN TEST INFORMATION
- ESSAY PROMPTS
- FEES
- FORMS
- MANDATORY TCON REGISTRATION!
Hello FUTURE BLACK BELTS!
I wanted to congratulate each of you for making it to this point in your Taekwondo journey!
You are eligible for Black Belt Testing during the upcoming testing cycle. We host two tests every year and please know this is a MAJOR TIME COMMITMENT once the testing cycle begins! There is never a rush for testing, it is always better to wait if you are unsure if you are ready to make the commitment at this time.
I have faith in each of your abilities to achieve this goal so long as you put 100% Effort into your practice and preparation. I am here to support you in your training so please don't hesitate to ask for help.
Best of luck!
Master Cam
June 2024 Testing Cycle Important Dates
February 20, 2024
Training Cycle Begins
May 18, 2024
MANDATORY Pre-Test - 3pm
May 30, 2024
Written Test
June 20, 2024
Essay, Community Service Project, & Payment Due in Full
June 22, 2024
FINAL TEST DAY - 4pm
Training Regimen/Class Requirements
There are MANDATORY classes only open for Black Belt Candidates planning to test in the current testing cycle.
These classes depend on your current belt.
CURRENT HIGH BROWN BELTS : TUESDAYS 7:00 - 8PM
CURRENT BLACK BELTS : THURDSAYS 7:00-8PM
This MANDATORY class will begin on Tuesday, February 20.
If a student must miss a mandatory class, they may schedule a private lesson with Master Cam to cover the missed material.
During the testing cycle, students should be attending:
- A minimum of TWO Candidate Specific classes per week (see above)
- A minimum of ONE Sparring Class per week (Tuesday or Thursday)
- A minimum of ONE additional class of choice per week
This is a minimum of FOUR classes per week to prepare for testing. (This does not mean 4 days per week, students may attend multiple classes per day to reach 4 classes per week.) It is strongly encouraged to attend as many classes as possible and to attend multiple classes per day to immerse yourself in the curriculum.
(All Black Belt Candidates are welcome to participate in Advanced Kids class, Forms class, and Teen/Adult class.)
Assistant Teaching
Teaching is a great way to promote a thorough understanding of the curriculum as well as improve leadership skills.
All Black Belt candidates age 15+ participating in this testing cycle must assist with teaching a minimum of 1 class per week.
Please email Master Cam ASAP to schedule your teaching day if you are not already doing so.
For students under the age of 15, teaching is optional. These students must attend a minimum of 3 Instructor Training classes and be signed off by Master Cam prior to helping in classes. It is rare for students under age 15 to be signed off to teach classes.
Instructor training is once per month, the Friday before color belt testing from 6:30-7PM, open to all candidates.
ALL 2nd Degree Candidates are required to assist with a minimum of 2 classes per week.
ALL 3rd Degree Candidates are required to assist with a minimum of 3 classes per week.
Written Test
The written test is administered 2-3 weeks before the final Black Belt Testing after Pre-Testing. Candidates can find all relevant information in the student manual and should take advantage of the manual as a study guide. Anything in the Manual is fair game for the surprise question!
Major Topics and Format:
1. Long Answer - Discuss 3 benefits of studying Taekwondo. - 6 points
2. Tenets and Meanings- 2 Questions fill in the blank- 2 points
3. Taekwondo Oath- 2 Questions fill in the blank- 2 points
4. Forms and Meanings- I will say the name of the Korean Form and you will say the meaning- 3 Questions Multiple Choice- 3 points
5. Belts and Meanings- 3 Questions Multiple Choice- 3 points
6. Kicks in Korean- I will have the Korean word and you will say the name of the kick in English- 3 questions Multiple Choice - 3 points
7. One Surprise Question- 1 point
A 70% score or higher is required to pass. 2 attempts can be made.
Additional Info for 2nd Degree
1. What is the meaning of the Black Belt?
2. Meanings of the 6 ITF forms (Chonji through Joon Gun)
3. Meaning of Koryo
Additional Info for 3rd Degree
1. Meanings of the additional forms
Essays
Please put your best effort into your writing. We want to learn more about you as a person through these essays.
1st Degree
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you and what did you learn from the experience?
(2-pages, double-spaced, standard font/size/margins)
2nd Degree
Discuss something you are passionate about changing within your community to create a more positive and peaceful future. What are the steps YOU can take to influence this change.
(3-pages, double-spaced, standard font/size/margins)
3rd Degree
What is the greatest challenge you are currently facing? Why is it hard for you and what specific actions are you taking (or planning to take) to overcome this challenge?
(3-pages, double-spaced, standard font/size/margins)
Community Service Project
Develop and Execute a Community Service Project. Write a one-page description of what you did and what you learned from the experience.
4 hours per month of community service/outreach for 2-months MINIMUM!
This is not helping with chores around the house. TKD teaching hours are also not eligible. This is something above and beyond that demonstrates your efforts to contribute to your community, or a nonprofit that is meaningful to you. Get creative with this and find something you truly care about! We understand many nonprofits have an age requirement to volunteer. In the past, young candidates have organized food drives, clothing drives, collected donations for a nonprofit of their choice, put together care packages for the homeless, volunteered at the school, as much more. The possibilities are endless... this is really about developing civic mindedness and a philanthropic spirit.
KC is happy to feature your service project or fundraiser in our newsletter to boost the reach of your project. Please email Ms. Stephanie if you would like your project to be shared in a newsletter.
Fees
Included:
1. Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) Black Belt Certification
2. KCTKD Black Belt Certification
3. Additional Belt Test Preparation & Classes
4. Administration of Pre-Test
5. Administration of Written Exam
6. Bringing in Grandmaster Kim to judge final Black Belt test
7. Administration of final Black Belt testing
8. Custom Embroidered Black Belt (If you or your child already has a Black Belt on the Future Leaders wall- $50 will be subtracted from the total). If you would like to order a students black belt please let me know and we will get it ordered and up on our Future Leaders wall for $50 to be subtracted from final payment.
1st Degree
$495 Total
2nd Degree
$550 Total
3rd Degree
$625 Total
MANDATORY!
- TCON REGISTRATION -
In order to register your Black Belt with Kukkiwon, this step is REQUIRED.
You will not receive a Kukkiwon Certificate without completing your TCON profile AND emailing Ms. Stephanie with the required information!
2nd/3rd degree candidates do not need to recreate a profile if they have in the past, but still need to email Ms. Stephanie with your User ID and DOB!
Don't forget to upload a profile image. This is the photo that will be printed on your Kukkiwon Membership Card... so upload an ID Photo (head shot - think Driver's License photo!). If you don't upload an image, your membership card will not have your photo on it.
Once Profile is created, email [email protected] with the following information!
- USER ID (case sensitive)
- Date of Birth
- Nationality (if not American)
- Kukkiwon Number (for 2nd degree +)
(This information must be exactly as it was entered in TCON!)