What's the quickest you've ever heard of anyone getting their yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do?

Question

I've only taken three classes in TKD so far and they already want me to take the test to get my yellow belt this coming Saturday. True, I have a three and a half years of cheerleading and gymnastics to back me up and I know the form like the back of my hand (I like practicing). And I don't like to toot my own horn most of the time, but to be perfectly honest, I do have much better form than many of the other white belts I take classes with. I was just wondering if anyone else has heard of anything like this.

http://www.haesan.org/
And before anyone says the school I go to isn't legit, here's the website. I wouldn't make this up. I'm really nervous and could also use some pointers on testing.

As a matter of clarification, I don't HAVE to test Saturday. They are just recommending that I do because they say if I don't, I'll get bored having to do the same form over and over again for the next two months which would be pointless as I know it now.

For Frank the Tank: during classes there are anywhere from two to four black belts (four is pretty rare, though). Also, testing is $60.

Answer 1

Ok it is not unusual in TKD to advance fast in rank, I have heard of black belts in a year to three years in many AMERICAN TKD schools.

so yes it is very possible you are ready. One thing to remember is that the colored belts are their only for two reasons. To hold your pants up and the color shows your supposes level within the school.

In my system it is generally 6 months before testing for a yellow belt. I am Shotokan though. So yes if you FEEL ready take the test, but do not take it if you do not feel ready.

You may have learned the forms movements but have you really learned the form? I am talking its application to each move and what they mean?

What ever you choose good luck. The only belts most Asians care about anyways are White, brown and Black....all those in between are just different levels between white and brown. This is a very American way of things and its normal.

I hold a BB in TKD though I mainly practice Shotokan mixed with my Kenpo.

Answer 2

The quickest? I got my Moo Duk Kwan yellow belt in three weeks. Why?

They have a three-month schedule between belt testing. The test was at the end of the month that I joined (August). They wanted me to test because they knew I had previous experience in another style of Tae Kwon Do (Chung Do Kwan[I took my test for my black belt, but they never sent the video to Korea]).

Do I think that's legit? It was ok with me, and it wasn't enough for me to consider the place I go to a McDojo because after I took the test, they said I could have been given my old rank back. I'm happy I get to start over. Sure I have some edge on certain things, but i'm still not my old self, and room for improvement is always a good thing. If I were given the choice to be given my old belt, the highest I would want to go is blue belt.

There are some serious flaws in this school compared to my old schools, but now I realize that no Martial Arts school is perfect. Then again: What in life is perfect?

My only concern is that the higher in belts you go, the higher the barrier for technique should go. If they continue doing this: Find another school. If they don't: Continue on.

Answer 3

Remember that this isn't a race, and it isn't about a competition [to advance] between you and any other student. Rather, it is an inner journey.

Your instructor is the one person best able to judge your preparedness. When I am readying my students to advance to black belt, I tell them that they must come to me when they feel they are ready to test. If I agree, then they test. If I don't agree, they don't.

FWIW, I tested for my first belt after three weeks and went on to set the record for attaining the rank of black belt in [my association, the largest centrally-administered MA organization in the world] in the shortest amount of time, and was granted a school license before I made black belt (something not done before nor since).

This all can be done, but I'll grant you it's unusual. Like I said, it depends.

Answer 4

I'd say 3 months is not enough, unless you are a prodigy.

I'd check more carefully to make sure the school is legit. How many black belts do they have? are they young?

How much is belt testing? if it's expensive then definetely consider changing schools.

Theres' a chance that you actually are ahead of everybody else.

good luck!

Answer 5

You should wait until the next testing cycle. You're not in a race. After that you'll have a feel for when you should try to test in the future. Advancing in rank really fast is one of the big scams of American martial arts. Enjoy the journey or you're going to end up missing your destination.

Answer 6

This kid i know practiced the katas at home with his uncle and took the test for yellow and green on the same day he walked into the dojo.

Answer 7

Hi,
The fastest I've heard of was two weeks. Please don't be offended by this, but unless you are really amazing, you are probably in a McDojo / McDojang. I did look at the website, and the little it actually told of what really happens sounds ok though.

Answer 8

Here is what I have to say, based upon what you wrote:

You made ZERO spelling errors in your question and the details that followed, which tells me you are smart enough to know exactly what the reason (money) is they want you to test so soon.

Answer 9

that is absoluetely rediculous! if you dont feel somfortable than either find another school or skip testing

in most schools they have a 3 month minimun! in my tang soo do school, they dont even let you test unless you have your stuff down perfect

Answer 10

it took me 5 weeks