In general, a student must have attended at least six classes in order to be eligible to test for White Senior, or 1^st Senior. From White Senior (1^st Senior) through Brown Senior (9^th Senior), generally at least 2 months training is required to advance to a higher belt level, unless specifically authorized by your Chief Instructor. Rules on test eligibility vary slightly from school to school so consult your Chief Instructor regarding the policy for your school.

A promotional test form is to be completed and turned in to the office prior to the test along with the testing application fee. This fee covers the costs of the belt, materials, and certificates for the promotional test, as well as the travel expenses of the Examiner(s). The amount of the fee is determined by belt rank as shown on the test application

Students should arrive earlier than their scheduled testing time so that they have time to stretch out and warm up prior to the test. In addition, students should observe proper Dojang etiquette by sitting quietly until their name is called, by answering positively "Yes, Sir/Ma’am" or "No, Sir/Ma’am" to questions or commands, and by moving quickly on and off the testing floor. Since the promotional test is a formal event, we ask that the spectators as well as the students please refrain from eating, drinking, and loud conversation during the test. However, it is appropriate and encouraged to applaud for students during their board break(s).

During the test, students are asked to perform what they learn in class - their current belt assignment. This includes basic techniques, patterns, combinations, speed drills (Gold Belts and above), defense drills, air shield attack drills, and board breaking technique(s). In addition, the Board of Examiners may request students to perform additional techniques or drills that may vary from one individual to the next. One reason for this is to discover areas requiring improvement in a particular student. Another reason is to ensure that all students practice regularly and thoroughly; not only on their current belt assignment, but on their previous material as well. Remember, even though a student’s techniques must be up to standards in order to test, the final evaluation is based on the student’s rate of improvement rather than a comparison of one student to another.

During the test, students may be asked questions by the Board of Examiners on various aspects such as progress in school, obeying parents, basic Korean terminology, the history of Choi Kwang-Do, or any other topic pertinent to the art of Choi Kwang-Do. These questions not only test a student’s knowledge, but more importantly they help establish a personal relationship between the Grand Master Instructor, the Board of Examiners, and the student.

Your Instructor may furnish literature (such as this guide) to you in order to help you answer questions and learn about the art. Remember that this is intended to be a guide, not a school textbook. Therefore, extensive study or memorization is not expected of students, particularly junior students. Students are taught everything they need to know in class, so regular practice in class is all that is required.

Board breaking during testing is intended to be a confidence builder for the student and an opportunity for them to demonstrate their mental strength and Pil Sung spirit. In general, safety equipment (a hand or foot pad) is required if the equipment can protect the student during the break. For example, a hand pad is worn in order to break a board with a punch so that the knuckles are protected. The philosophy is that we do not want students injuring themselves simply for a promotional test. Also, the student may be given a fixed number opportunities to break their board. This is usually done during Black Belt testing and serves as a way to additional challenge the black belt candidates both physically and mentally as well.

There are times when students have difficulties breaking their boards. This seems to be a cause of concern for all students. Board breaking is as much a part of the test as anything else; however, it is not a major criteria by which the student is evaluated. No student has ever failed a test simply because they couldn’t break their board. If a student is having difficulties performing a break, then they may be helped by an Instructor or possibly given another opportunity in class. At no time should a student get upset or angry because they had trouble with their break. Students that exhibit this behavior will be talked with concerning their attitude and lack of self-control. Remember that students should demonstrate strong Pil Sung attitudes even if they cannot break their boards - that is what Pil Sung (Certain Victory) is all about.

You will be informed of your testing results usually within a week after the test. This is typically done during class on a personal basis or through an awards ceremony. It is improper etiquette for the student to telephone the school regarding test results availability or to be absent from classes after a test simply because the test results are not yet available. Please consult your Chief Instructor if you have any questions on testing results and the process your school uses.

Once you get your testing results, they will include some comments on how you are progressing along with one of three result designations: Pass, Special Training, and Retest.

A student that receives a Pass on their testing results is considered to be promoted to the next rank. You will receive your new belt (or stripe for some ranks of Black Belt) and will gradually be shown the next belt assignment by your Instructors while continuing to practice previous belt assignments.

When the Board of Examiners feel that a student needs more work in a particular area, they may require a student to undergo a period of special training before advancing to the next belt assignment. In this case, the Board of Examiners will have indicated on the testing results precisely what needs to be corrected before moving on. It is in the student’s best interest to take this seriously and to really put forth an effort to correct the problems.

Please note that Special Training does not mean that the student failed his/her test. Rather it simply means more practice is required in a particular area before learning any new material. The policy varies from school to school but most Instructors will award the student their new belt, but make arrangements for them to receive some extra help in order to correct the deficiencies.

When the Board of Examiners feel that a student is overall not progressing as they should be or has some severe technical deficiencies, they may require a student to retest. This is the most severe of the testing results, and should be treated very seriously by the student and the Instructor. As in the Special Training case, the Board of Examiners will have indicated precisely what they need to correct and the reasons as to why the student needs to Retest. This will require that the student remain the same rank and continue to practice the same belt assignment until the deficiencies are corrected. The student must then test again in order for the Board of Examiners to evaluate if they have corrected the necessary problems.

Please note that the student does not have to pay an additional test fee if retesting is required. Once a student pays for a test, they do not have to pay again until they pass the test with a Pass or Special Training result. If you have any questions concerning special training or retesting, then please consult your Chief Instructor