The Story of Anyang Aikido Center’s ‘Pre-Promotion Test Examination’

[Everyday Discussion]

Hello, I’m the instructor at Anyang Aikido Center.

Our center holds a ‘pre-promotion test examination’ every year before the Korea Aikido Federation’s official promotion test. This is to make sure trainees have thoroughly mastered the examination techniques, and to prevent situations where nerves during the actual test keep them from fully demonstrating their skills.

This system wasn’t in place from the very beginning. In the early days of the center, promotion preparation was left to each trainee’s own discretion, and naturally, there were cases of trainees who we thought would surely pass failing instead. It was quite a shock, both for them and for me as their instructor.

Back then, I looked back on the time I spent testing from white belt all the way up to 4th dan. At that time, every single item on the technique list was tested without exception, and I still vividly remember the faces of the people who congratulated me and shared in my joy of “I actually did it!” once it was all over. That experience became the foundation for what is now our pre-promotion test examination system.

The pre-promotion test examination is not a one-time event limited to a single day—it carries out the actual testing process from start to finish, just as it would happen in the real exam.

1st round: Self-check on how well the examination techniques are known
2nd round: Thoroughly understand and fill in any techniques that were forgotten or vague
3rd round: Drill all techniques until they become second nature to the body
4th round: Final verification of promotion readiness

Even after the 4th round, if a trainee still falls short, we add a 5th or 6th round, and if it’s judged that they are still not ready, we don’t rush things—we simply hold off on recommending them for promotion until the next opportunity. This is because having genuinely solid skills is worth more than merely holding the belt for the moment.

This time, one trainee aiming for 3rd dan promotion is undergoing the pre-promotion test examination. There are still some areas that need work, but we’ll keep filling in the gaps together over the remaining period.