ATA PROMOTIONAL TESTINGS
The schools of the American Taekwondo
Association conduct promotional testings approximately every seven to nine
weeks to evaluate the progress of the students. The testing is judged by
a minimum of two Certified ATA instructors, one of whom is a guest judge
from another ATA school. Each instructor in the judging panel scores each
student individually, according to the standards of the ATA. The judges
meet after the testing to tally the scores and to discuss the progress
of the students. An instructor from another ATA school is invited to participate
in the judging as an effective monitor for the local school, supplying
a more objective observation of the student's performance.
The testing begins similarly to a class
session. The students line up according to rank, and recite the Songahm
Spirit of Taekwondo. After opening remarks and introduction of the judging
panel, the students are asked to be seated around the perimeter of the
workout area. The students are then called to execute their techniques
(individually or in very small groups). The lowest ranks are tested first
to spare them additional tension and anxiety generated by waiting. Most
schools, however test orange belts before the white belts, giving the newest
students an opportunity to witness the procedure before they are called.
Each student is performs certain techniques
and requirements, according to his rank: Below is a list of different requirements
throughout the ranks.
FORMS - ONE-STEPS - SELF-DEFENSE - SPARRING - BOARD
BREAKING |