SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO OF NOVA SCOTIA
GRADINGS MINIMUM TIME REQUIREMENTS
GRADINGS MINIMUM TIME REQUIREMENTS
As the students progress they can ask to be tested for promotion to the next belt level. The belt levels
serve as an indicator of the student's development and are not a badge of authority, success or failure.
The Shotokan Karate Do of Nova Scotia recognizes 9 kyu or intermediate levels and 10 dan or black belt
levels in the following sequence:
Rank Belt Minimum Training Before Taking Test
9th kyu white N/A
8th kyu yellow 3 months after 9th kyu
7th kyu orange 3 months after 8th kyu
6th kyu green 6 months after 7th kyu
5th kyu blue 6 months after 6th kyu
4th kyu purple 3 months after 5th kyu
3rd kyu brown 6 months after 4th kyu
2nd kyu brown 3 months after 3rd kyu
1st kyu brown 6 months after 2nd kyu
shodan black 6 months after 1st kyu
nidan black 2 years after shodan
sandan black 2 years after nidan
yondan black 4 years after sandan
godan black 5 years after yondan
rokudan black 6 years after godan
nanadan black 7 years after rokudan
hachidan black 8 years after nanadan
The minimum time requirement noted above is calculated for students who attend at least three times a
week. For those who cannot train as frequently, the time needed to prepare for the next exam will be
greater. During the exam, the students will be asked to perform the kihon, kumite and kata techniques that
they have learned in class before a panel of examiners. Specific details of what the students are expected
to know for each level, as set out by the Shotokan Karate-Do of Nova Scotia, will be given by the instructor.
A passing grade in all three aspects and an overall mark of 60 percent must be attained in order for the
student to be promoted. In cases where the student fails in only one of the three categories the examiners
may recommend a re-exam in the interval between regular testing. Re-exams usually take place in the
student's regular dôjô. with Sensei Mario ROSS as an examiner.
serve as an indicator of the student's development and are not a badge of authority, success or failure.
The Shotokan Karate Do of Nova Scotia recognizes 9 kyu or intermediate levels and 10 dan or black belt
levels in the following sequence:
Rank Belt Minimum Training Before Taking Test
9th kyu white N/A
8th kyu yellow 3 months after 9th kyu
7th kyu orange 3 months after 8th kyu
6th kyu green 6 months after 7th kyu
5th kyu blue 6 months after 6th kyu
4th kyu purple 3 months after 5th kyu
3rd kyu brown 6 months after 4th kyu
2nd kyu brown 3 months after 3rd kyu
1st kyu brown 6 months after 2nd kyu
shodan black 6 months after 1st kyu
nidan black 2 years after shodan
sandan black 2 years after nidan
yondan black 4 years after sandan
godan black 5 years after yondan
rokudan black 6 years after godan
nanadan black 7 years after rokudan
hachidan black 8 years after nanadan
The minimum time requirement noted above is calculated for students who attend at least three times a
week. For those who cannot train as frequently, the time needed to prepare for the next exam will be
greater. During the exam, the students will be asked to perform the kihon, kumite and kata techniques that
they have learned in class before a panel of examiners. Specific details of what the students are expected
to know for each level, as set out by the Shotokan Karate-Do of Nova Scotia, will be given by the instructor.
A passing grade in all three aspects and an overall mark of 60 percent must be attained in order for the
student to be promoted. In cases where the student fails in only one of the three categories the examiners
may recommend a re-exam in the interval between regular testing. Re-exams usually take place in the
student's regular dôjô. with Sensei Mario ROSS as an examiner.
SENSEI MARIO ROSS