Kyu test (or grading) takes place in April and November each year. These months coincide with Master Funakoshi’s birth and death.

Kyu test consists of three components: kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). White (8th-4th kyu) and brown (3rd-1st kyu) belts test at the dojo. Dan candidates take their kyu test after completion of special training, and only if they are recommended by their senior.

Kyu Kata Requirements

Kyu	Required Kata	Favorite Kata
8th kyu (white belt)	Heian Nidan	Heian Shodan
7th kyu	Heian Sandan	Heian Shodan or Heian Nidan
6th kyu	Heian Yondan	Heian Shodan or Heian Nidan or Heian Sandan
5th kyu	Heian Godan	Heian Shodan through Heian Yondan
4th kyu	Tekki Shodan	Any Heian Kata
3rd kyu (brown belt)	Tekki Nidan	Any Heian Kata
2nd kyu	Tekki Sandan	Any Heian Kata
1st kyu	Any Tekki Kata/Bassai	Any Heian Kata

*Students should not change their favorite kata every test. They may find a particular kata suits them better as they learn, but most people should continue practicing their favorite kata throughout white and brown belt. Perhaps changing once. If you constantly change your favorite kata to the next kata learned, you will never be able to polish your favorite kata. As you advance through higher belt levels, it’s possible to change your favorite kata to a kata that is not going to be required in the future testing. Remember, Master Funakoshi took 9 years to learn the 3 Tekki kata. 3 years for each. Brown belts should be discouraged from making one of the Tekki Kata their favorite. After making black belt, it may be considered. We should be able to do 19 kata once we become black belt, but it’s never about how many Kata you know, but how well you do just a few. Okinawan’s rarely practiced more that 4 kata.