Panel tests for colored belts

[Carol]

I recently received an e-mail from a friend of mine, telling me her son just earned his yellow belt in Kenpo. (Yay!!) The way my friend described the test, it sounded like the boy was testing in front of a panel.

I understand a testing panel is not uncommon for higher ranks, but does anyone think this is overkill for yellow? Or is it preparing the student for what lies ahead?

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

I recently received an e-mail from a friend of mine, telling me her son just earned his yellow belt in Kenpo. (Yay!!) The way my friend described the test, it sounded like the boy was testing in front of a panel.

I understand a testing panel is not uncommon for higher ranks, but does anyone think this is overkill for yellow? Or is it preparing the student for what lies ahead?

Both,

However the person testing may have been part of a larger group being tested. Also the senior instructor may have not been the one who taught the material. I bring in panel boards at green belt.

[Roadrunner]

We have as many instructors show up as possible for all tests (kids and adults) in our school. Normally we have around 8 to 10 blackbelts ranging from 1st to 7th degree.

[RDCParker]

Well just coming off a test last week, I don't think this is overkill at all. While it's probably not needed as much for a child of a lower rank, I think that it's still a benefit if there is one. Not only does it prepare you for your higher tests, but it also prepares you for public speaking, addressing groups, handling pressure, and testing your knowlege. Also you can say that "so-and-so" was there for my belt promotion, and it becomes something that you can say you shared with others, and that others shared with you.

I have said before that panels are new for me. In my previous MA life, we just tested in front of our teacher, no one else was allowed in. Now that I'm in kenpo, I've been in front of panels for my yellow belt and, just last week, my orange belt, and I hope to continue testing in front of panels. The more the merrier!

[Carol]

Well just coming off a test last week, I don't think this is overkill at all. While it's probably not needed as much for a child of a lower rank, I think that it's still a benefit if there is one. Not only does it prepare you for your higher tests, but it also prepares you for public speaking, addressing groups, handling pressure, and testing your knowlege. Also you can say that "so-and-so" was there for my belt promotion, and it becomes something that you can say you shared with others, and that others shared with you.

I have said before that panels are new for me. In my previous MA life, we just tested in front of our teacher, no one else was allowed in. Now that I'm in kenpo, I've been in front of panels for my yellow belt and, just last week, my orange belt, and I hope to continue testing in front of panels. The more the merrier!

Congrats on your orange belt! Interestng to hear your opinion. I've never tested before a panel so the idea is not something I'm familiar with.

My friend seemed to think her boy took it all in stride, too. She said when he got to school, he looked out on the floor, looked at the panelists, then looked at his father and said "Look Dad, its like they do on American Idol!"

[RDCParker]

... he looked out on the floor, looked at the panelists, then looked at his father and said "Look Dad, its like they do on American Idol!"

Yeah, pretty much! Luckily Simon wasn't on my panel!

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Congrats on your orange belt! Interestng to hear your opinion. I've never tested before a panel so the idea is not something I'm familiar with.

My friend seemed to think her boy took it all in stride, too. She said when he got to school, he looked out on the floor, looked at the panelists, then looked at his father and said "Look Dad, its like they do on American Idol!"

Kids are so great, that made me laugh out loud. Thanks for sharring that.

[Celtic_Crippler]

..it also adds and "officialness" to the whole affair. A certain amount of pomp and circumstance gives the student a more profound feeling of achieving a significant goal.

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Yeah, pretty much! Luckily Simon wasn't on my panel!

Same here, I would have prob kicked his @#$%%%^

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

..it also adds and "officialness" to the whole affair. A certain amount of pomp and circumstance gives the student a more profound feeling of achieving a significant goal.

You are a person of deep thought, I thank you

[John M. La Tourrette]

Both,

However the person testing may have been part of a larger group being tested. Also the senior instructor may have not been the one who taught the material. I bring in panel boards at green belt.

Testing boards for low ranks is done as a "motivational tool" so that the student upgrade's the perception of how valuable what he just learned is.

This is a marketing process also done in studios that usually only teach "group" sessions.

They can then bring a "friend" to the testing, and the friend then also is motivated to join.

DOC

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Testing boards for low ranks is done as a "motivational tool" so that the student upgrade's the perception of how valuable what he just learned is.

This is a marketing process also done in studios that usually only teach "group" sessions.

They can then bring a "friend" to the testing, and the friend then also is motivated to join.

DOC

Thank you Dr. John,
Question for you if I may. If you had it to do all over again, would you have focused on a very small market group?

Thank you Sir

[FGarza]

I think putting students under pressure during a belt test is a great thing.

And testing under a panel would do that, especially if every member of the panel is dressed and behaves appropriately.

(I was asked to sit on a testing panel where one of the members was in civies, I refused.)

But I also think that the pressure has to be equal to the rank. Lower ranks shouldn't be put under so much pressure that they get so initimidated they don't want to test again.

I also think that after the test, every panel member should go to each testee and say something positive to them and thank them for having the courage to show up to the test, because it ain't easy to test for some students.

I also agree about the funny comment on kids testing. One of my sisters teaches Shotokan and her kid's tests are intense, but also pretty darn entertaining....

[John M. La Tourrette]

Thank you Dr. John,
Question for you if I may. If you had it to do all over again, would you have focused on a very small market group?

NOT sure what you mean by "small"?

Or what you mean by "market"?

And this is probably off thread.

DOC

[John M. La Tourrette]

Thank you Dr. John,
Question for you if I may. If you had it to do all over again, would you have focused on a very small market group?

Thank you Sir

AND...

I've really enjoyed my life the way I've lived it, and will continue living it.

DOC

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

NOT sure what you mean by "small"?

Or what you mean by "market"?

And this is probably off thread.

DOC

Your right sir, my bad

[John M. La Tourrette]

We have as many instructors show up as possible for all tests (kids and adults) in our school. Normally we have around 8 to 10 blackbelts ranging from 1st to 7th degree.

Well for the testing I do suggest that it be organized.

Which means a specific "testing board".

With specific skill requirement besides anyone who wants to can be there.

So that the testing clients can face it safely and securily in their own minds.

Just my opinion.

Dr. John M. La Tourrette

[John M. La Tourrette]

I think putting students under pressure during a belt test is a great thing.

Yes, and the amount of "pressure" depends upon the rank being tested for, the age of the client, and many other factors, does it not?

So for a person that does freak out with testing, how is that done?

Dr. John M. La Tourrette

[Brother John]

I recently received an e-mail from a friend of mine, telling me her son just earned his yellow belt in Kenpo. (Yay!!) The way my friend described the test, it sounded like the boy was testing in front of a panel.

I understand a testing panel is not uncommon for higher ranks, but does anyone think this is overkill for yellow? Or is it preparing the student for what lies ahead?

A very good question Carol.
I prefer testing infront of a panel, no mater the level!! ...both for myself and for any student I may teach.

I think that testing in front of a panel is a great way to make sure that you get the best feed back on their progress. MOST of the time, if there is a panel then USUALLY there's multiple people testing....Not always, especially in the case of Black Belts and 3rd Browns. So having multiple sets of instructors scrutinizing the students performance is a big help in getting the BEST out of your test. I see tests as the BEST lessons I've ever had!! I often say that a GOOD test is worth Three months of lessons! Good memories, good lessons...etc., and for me, the more....the merrier.

I know that when I tested in front of a Large panel for my belts, it meant a lot to me to have so many people come up and congratulate me or give me tips on how to better execute something or whathaveyou...

So I wouldn't see it as "overkill", but maybe Good Quality Assurance!

Your Brother
John

[Brother John]

Yes, and the amount of "pressure" depends upon the rank being tested for, the age of the client, and many other factors, does it not?

So for a person that does freak out with testing, how is that done?

Dr. John M. La Tourrette

If someone is going to "Freak out" during a test....
How much WORSE a situation will they be in when they are tested by actual human combat??

That's one of the central functions of a belt test!
It's a stress test, to see where the leaks are.

Your Brother
John