Kyu/Dan Requirements
AJKA-I USA
AJKA International Karate Association
Examination Requirements
USA
Kyu & Dan Requirements
Reason For Karate Examination
1. Karate examination for the student as well as for the instructor so they can both see the direction the examinee is going, and the necessary correction can be made.
2. The student behavior before the examination during the examination and after the examination must be taken into consideration and the grade must be given accordingly.
3. Never forget that the Karate-Do practice is a lifetime process, the examination only part of this long road.
Practice as much as you can and this way one day you will understand the meaning of Karate-do (Sensei Nakayama)
Length of training for Dan examination
Shodan: 2 years or 3 months after 1st kyu exam
Recommended: Minimum 3 years
Nidan: 1 year after Shodan
Recommended: Minimum 3 years after Shodan
Sandan: 2 years after Nidan
Recommended: 4 years after Nidan
Yondan: 3 years after Sandan
Recommended: 4 years after Sandan
Godan: 4 years after Yondan
Recommended: 5 years after Yondan
Kyu Examination Requirements
8th Kyu (Yellow belt)
This is the level where the examinee can perform and apply the simplest techniques externally.
7-6-5-4. Kyu (Orange-Green-Blue-Purple):
These levels require an increased stage of technical and mental skills performed with gradually increased intensity.
3-2-1 Kyu (Brown belt)
Must have the ability to perform basic techniques effectively with as well as internal-mental-expression.
1st Dan Black belt
At this level an examinee should be able to perform and apply basic techniques with force (focus) and perform basic combinations effectively.
2nd Dan (Black belt)
The examinee should be able to perform all basic techniques as well as combination techniques, and be able to make compensations for individual body limitations.
3rd Dan (Black belt)
The individual must understand the principles behind basic techniques. Apply and perform techniques under deferent circumstances.
4th Dan (Black belt)
The examinee should thoroughly understand as well as teach others the principles of body movement techniques and applications. Should present a paper on teaching of a specific subject.
5th Dan (Black belt)
Research in a special area should be completed. Examinee must be able to explain and demonstrate the subject.
6th Dan (Black belt)
Contribution to Karate through physical and mental aspects, should be taken into consideration to the benefits of others.
7th Dan (Black belt)
An individual must have completed and apply it in a practical instructional process.
8th Kyu Exam requirements (Yellow belt)
(Do everything 4 times examinee count)
A: Kihon
1. Oi-zuki (Jodan)
2. Age-uke (Stepping back)
3. Oi-zuki (Chudan)
4. Ude*uke (Stepping back)
5. Shuto-uke
6. Mae-geri (Chudan)
7. Mae-geri (Jodan)
B: Kata
1. Heian Shodan (Heian #1)
C: Kumite
1. Sanbon Kumite (Jodan)
2. Sanbon Kumite (Chudan)
7th Kyu Exam requirements (Orange belt)
A: Kihon
1. Oi-zuki (Jodan)
2. Age-uke-gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
3. Oi-zuki (Chudan)
4. Ude-uke-gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
5. Shuto-uke-Gyaku-zuki (Foreword and back)
(Kokutsu-dachi)-(zenkutsu-dachi)
6. Mae-geri (Chudan)
7. Mae-geri (Jodan)
8. Yoko-geri-kiage(kiba-dachi)
B: Kata
1. Heian Nidan (Heian #2)
2. A previously performed Kata
C: Kumite
1. Sanbon Kumite (Jodan Chudan)
6th Kyu Exam requirements (Green belt)
A: Kihon
1. Oi-zuki (Jodan)
2. Age-uke-gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
3. Oi-zuki (Chudan)
4. Ude-uke-gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
5. Shuto-uke-gyaku-zuki (Forward and back)
(Kokutsu-Zenkutsu-dachi)
6. Mae-geri (Chudan)
7. Mae-geri (Jodan)
8. Yoko-geri-kiage
9. Yoko-geri-kekomi
B: Kata
1. Heian Sandan (Heian #3)
2. A previously performed Kata
C: Kumite
1. Ippon Kumite (Jodan Chudan)
5th Kyu Exam Requirements (Blue belt)
A: Kihon
1. Oi-zuki Jodan
2. Age-uke-gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
3. Oi-zuki Chudan
4. Ude-uke-Empi-uchi (Stepping back)
(Zenkutsu-dachi & Kiba-dachi)
5. Uchi-ude-uke-gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
6. Shuto-uke- Mayashi -Mae-gyaku-Tsuki
(Kokutsu-dachi & Zenkutsu-dachi)
7. Mae-geri (Chudan)
8. Mae-geri (Jodan)
9. Yoko-geri-Kiage (Kiba-dachi)
10. Yoko-geri-kekomi (Kiba-dachi)
B: Kata
1. Heian Yondan (Heian#4)
2. A previously performed Kata
C: Kumite
1. Ippon-Kumite
(Oi-zuki Jodan, Chudan) (Mae-geri Chudan) (Yoko-geri-kekomi Chudan)
4th Kyu Exam requirements (Purple belt)
A: Kihon
1. Oi-zuki (Jodan)
2. Age-uke-Gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
3. Oi-zuki Chudan
4. Ude-uke-Empi-uchi
(Zenkutsu-Kiba-dachi)
5. Uchi-Ude-Uke-Kizami-zuki-Gyaku-zuki
6. Shuto-uke-Mayashi-Mae-geri-Nukite
7. Mae-geri (Chudan)
8. Mae-geri (Jodan)
9. Yoko-geri-Kiage (Kiba-dachi)
10. Yoko-geri-Kekomi (Kiba-dachi)
11. Mawashi-geri
12. Mawashi-geri-Gyaku-zuki
B: Kata
1. Heian Godan (Heian#5)
2. A previously performed Kata
C: Kumite
1. Ippon Kumite
(Oi-zuki Jodan, Chudan)
(Mae-geri Chudan)
(Yoko-geri-kekomi Chudan)
3rd Kyu Exam requirements (Brown belt)
A: Kihon
1. Oi-zuki Jodan
2. Age-uke-gyaku-zuki (Stepping back)
3. Oi-zuki Chudan
4. Ude-uke-Empi-uchi
(Zenkutsu, Kiba-dachi)
5. Ude-uke Kizami-zuki-Gyaku-zuki
6. Uchi-Ude-uke Kizami-zuki-Gyaku-zuki
7. Shuto-uke- Mayashi-Mae-geri -Gyaku-zuki
(Kokutsu-dachi Zenkutsu-dachi)
8. Mae-geri (Chudan)
9. Mae-geri (Jodan)
10. Mawashi-geri
11. Mawashi-geri-gyaku-zuki 12. Yoko-geri-Kiage
13. Yoko-geri-Kekomi
B: Kata
1. Tekki Shodan
2. A previously performed Kata
C: Kumite
1. Ippon Kumite
(Oi-zuki Jodan, Chudan)
(Mae-geri Chudan)
(Yoko-geri-Kekomi Chudan)
2nd Kyu Exam requirements (Brown belt)
A: Kihon
1. Oi-zuki Jodan
2. Age-uke-gyaku-zuki
3. Oi-zuki Chudan
4. Ude-uke-Empi-uchi Gyaku-zuki
(Zenkutsu-dachi-Kiba-dachi-Zenkutsu-dachi)
5. Ude-uke Kizami-zuki-Gyaku-zuki
6. Uchi-ude-uke Kizami-zuki-Gyaku-zuki
7. Shuto-uke- Mayashi-Mae-geri -Nikute
(Kokutsu-dachi Zenkutsu-dachi)
8. Mae-geri (Chudan)
9. Mae-geri (Jodan)
10. Mawashi-geri
11. Mawashi-geri-gyaku-zuki
12. Yoko-geri Kiage
13. Yoko-geri Kekomi
B: Kata
1. Bassai-Dai
2. Tekki shodan
3. A previously performed Kata
C: Kumite
1. Ippon Kumite
(Oi-zuki Jodan, Chudan)
(Mae-Geri Chudan)
(Yoko-Geri Chudan)
(Ushiro-geri)
2nd Kyu Exam requirements (Brown belt)
A: Kihon
1. Sanbon-zuki (Jodan-Chudan-Chudan)
(1 step 3 punch)
2. Age-uke-gyaku-zuki
3. Ude-uke-Empi-uchi-uraken-gyaku-zuki
(Zenkutsu-dachi-Kiba-dachi-Zenkutsu-dachi)
4. Shuto-uke-Mayashi-Mae-geri-Nukite
(Kokutsu-dachi)
6. Mae-geri (Chudan)
7. Mae-geri (Jodan)
8. Mae-geri-Chudan-Jodan (one count 2 steps)
9. Mawashi-geri
10. Mawashi-geri-Gyaku-zuki
11. Yoko-geri-Kiage
12. Yoko-geri-Kekomi
B: Kata
1. Bassai-Dai
2. Tekki Shodan
3. A previously performed Kata
C: Kumite
1. Jiu-ippon Kumite
(Oi-zuki Jodan, Chudan)
(Mae-Geri Chudan)
(Yoko-Geri Chudan)
(Ushiro-geri)
Sho-Dan Exam Requirements
A: Kata
1. The examinee selects a Kata from group A
2. The examiner selects a Kata from Heian to Tekki 1
B: Kihon
1. Sanbon –zuki (Jodan-Chudan-Chudan – one step 3 punch)
2. Age-uke-Mayashi-Mae-geri-Gyaku-zuki
3. Ude-uke-Empi-uchi-uraken-gyaku-zuki
(Zenkutsu-dachi-Kiba-dachi-Zenkutsu-dachi)
4. Shuto-uke- Mayashi-Mae-geri-Nukite
(Kokutsu-dachi)
5. Uchi-Ude-Uke-Mayashi-Mae-geri-Kizami-zuki-Gyaku-zuki
6. Mae-geri Chudan-Jodan
(One count, 2 steps)
7. Mawashi-geri Chudan-Jodan
(One count, 2 steps)
8. Yoko-geri-kiage (Kiba-dachi)
9. Yoko-geri-kekomi (Kiba-dachi)
10. Mayashi- Yoko-kekomi then step forward Mawashi-geri Gyaku-zuki 11. Mayashi- Mawashi-geri- Oi-zuki Jodan
12. In Zenkutsu dachi Mae-geri- Yoko kekomi back to Zenkutsu dachi
(4 times each leg)
C: Kumite
1. Jiu-Kumite (against a brown belt a Shodan and a Nidan)
Ni-Dan Exam requirements
A: Kata
1. The examinee selects a Kata from A, B or C group.
2. The examiner must select a Kata from A or B group plus One From Heian 2- 5 or Tekki Shodan.
B: Kihon
1. Jiu Dachi, Kizami-zuki, Oi-zuki (twice Jodan)
2. Jiu Dachi, Kizami-zuki then step 2 times Mae-geri & Oi-zuki
3. In kiba-dachi stepping to side Yoko-geri-kiage turned 180% and Execute Yoko-geri-kekomi
4. Jiu Dachi stepping back Age-uke-then step forward Mawashi- geri -uraken and Oi-zuki Jodan.
5. In Zenkutsu dachi perform Mae-geri/Yoko-kiage/ushiro-geri then back to zenkutsu-dachi.
C: Kumite
1. Jiu-Kumite
2. Offensive and defensive techniques against different opponents.
San-Dan Exam requirement
A: Kata
1. The examinee selects a Kata from group A, B or C.
2. The examiners select a Kata from group A, B plus Heian 2 to 5 and Tekki Shodan
B: Kihon
1. The examinee explains a combination technique of their choice. Explaining in full detail the power development and body dynamics used to execute the combination technique.
2. Explain from beginning to end the important points of their combination technique.
3. Explain to a student from beginning to end how the combination technique should be performed correctly.
C: Jiu Kumite
1. Kumite against a Shodan
2. Kumite against a stronger opponent.
Yon-Dan Exam requirement
A: Kata
1. The examinee selects a Kata from group A, B or C. 2. The examiner selects a Kata from group A, B or C.
B: Kihon
1. The examinee explains selected combination techniques important points.
2. The examinee explain the important points in the performance of the Selected combination techniques.
C: Kumite
1. Jiu Ippon Kumite
2. Jiu Kumite
3. Explain the correct timing from offensive as well as the defensive point of view doing Jiu Kumite.
D: Technical research
1. Select a technical topic and teach it to a group of students
2. Need to turn in a technical paper no less the 500 words on special
Subject, and explain the content of the paper.
Godan-Examination requirement
Research of a special area subject should be completed. The examinee must be able to explain and demonstrate as well as instruct the prepared subject. The subject must be physiological.
2. Examine select a kata from group A, B, or C
3. Examiner selects a kata from group A, B, or C
(Kata must be deferent in principle of the kata selected by the examinee such as shorin or shorei.)
Rokudan – Examination requirement
1. Research of a special area subject should be completed. The examinee must be able to explain and demonstrate as well as instruct the prepared subject. The subject can be philological or physiological.
2. Examinee selects a kata from group A, B, or C
3. Examiner select a kata from group A, B, or C
(Kata must be different in principle of the kata selected by
the examinee such as shorin or shorei.)
Kata Groups
(The examiner and examinee select from the Kata below.)
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