Testing Tips

Even though I recently got my Black Belt, I don’t consider myself to be an “expert” on testing. However, I have learned a great deal along the way by observing and participating in many of them. I have learned much from my own mistakes, and by hearing Sabumnim make corrections to myself and others. I would rather give tips before testing – it’s much more useful than waiting till afterwards to give advice to participants.

1. The testing booklet: Make every attempt to hand it in before testing day so that you don’t have to stress about finding it at 9:45am on the morning of color belt testing. I confess that I can be a slob, and lately, I feel like I’m losing the “War on Clutter.” However, I keep my booklet in a wooden filing cabinet in a file labeled "Taekwondo." It is simple to find because it is right in front of my least favorite file: "TAX." Ugh!

2. Make sure that you know all of the patterns up to, and including the one you will be tested on. You never know which ones you may be asked to perform. You have to know them all anyway. Just as it is in school, you don’t forget addition once you move on to multiplication. However, provided you choose a certain career path, you are eventually allowed to forget Alegebra (thank goodness!)

3. Study your questions, weeks, or even months in advance. Some people learn more quickly than others, so use your own judgement. I don’t have a photographic memory, so I actually make flashcards. Laugh if you want, but it works for me. I use unconventional means of learning too. For instance, I put the “Training Secrets of Taekwondo” to the tune of "The 12 Days of Christmas" and tried to sing back each "training secret" in the same manner as the Christmas song goes. Thankfully, this was done in the privacy of my own home.

4. Make sure your dobok is clean and ironed. If you are still growing into it, and your sleeves and/or pant legs are long, I recommend rolling them up. I always worry that some students are going to trip over their pant legs! (My toe got caught in mine once.) If your sleeves cover your hands, how is Sabumnim supposed to notice if you are doing a punch or a knifehand?

5. Perform all of your techniques with realism. Don’t hurt your self-defense partner, but at the same time, don’t treat them as though they have brittle bones. You free spar with them all of the time so you know that they are tough, just like you!

6. When your name is called to come up to the floor and test, respond “YES SIR!” (or ma’am if applicable) loudly and with enthusiasm, as you run up to the center of the dojang to await further instruction from Sabumnim, or one of the Bosabums. Don’t be quiet and meek: it’s testing, not a funeral. It’s normal for some people, to be quiet and reserved (like me) when nervous, but if you’re upbeat, it gets your adrenaline flowing more and, this sets a dynamic pace for the rest of your testing.

7.When you are finished testing with your group and are asked to sit back down, take two steps back after bowing, before you turn around and take your seat.

8. Try to eat a healthy satisfying breakfast, but don’t overdo it with too many pancakes and greasy bacon. On the other hand, if you feel too nervous to eat, try to eat something anyway, even if it’s only a granola bar or banana. This keeps your blood sugar levels even to insure that your body gives you it’s best performance. Think about it this way: would you take a long trip in your car without filling the gas tank? Of course, not!

9. Welcome students from other dojangs who are testing. They don’t bite...much. (joking, of course) It’s up to YOU to take the initiative to introduce yourself. You’re nervous because you’re testing, but they are most likely even more nervous because they are testing AND are in an unfamiliar place. Welcome them to our Taekwondo family just as you would want to be welcomed if you were testing away from home.

10. Have fun!!! You have practiced long and hard and now it’s your time to shine.