Black Belt FSBC/AOKK Shodan Testing

Note: Black belts instructors will line-up in front of the testing tables while candidates and attending students line up opposite of the instructors setting on the panel. The student bow is first followed by the courtesy bow to the black-belts.

1. Opening Prayer
2. Formal Opening Bow
3. Pledge-of-Allegiance
4. Dismiss all students and black belt panel take their seats behind the tables.
5. Begin testing (AOKK Standardized Test for Shodan)
6. Breaking
7. Candidate Questioning (by BB Panel)
8. End testing
9. When testing has concluded, each member of black-belt panel will cast a white or black stone for each candidate.
   1. A black stone indicates the student is ready to progress to Dan level instruction.
   2. A white stone indicates there is more for the student to learn at the kyu level.
   3. There must be a majority decision before a student can be promoted without debate.
   4. A student can be placed on black-belt probation if he/she falls short of a majority.
   5. A list of what needs to be improved will be given to the student at that time. This is done to maintain the standards of the AOKK.
   6. The probationary student has six months to demonstrate improvement to the listed techniques and/or kata.
   7. A student fails if there is a large majority of white stones.

Note: For greater detail refer to the AOKK Black Belt Promotion Document.

1. Line up black-belt panel like it was in the original bow and announce the testing results and present belts if the candidate or candidates are worthy of promotion.
2. Welcome the candidates into the Yudansha and have them line up with the black-belts by reading of the Yudansha.
3. Foot Washing Ceremony (Optional)
4. Formal Closing Bow
5. Closing Prayer
6. Present the candidates the copies of the test, so they might improve the areas of need in the future.
7. Pictures and fellowship.

Note: Black-belts can be asked questions by the candidates concerning their performance.