August 2025 Rank Testing

The fourth Rank Testing of 2025 will be held Saturday, August 16th, 2025. As in recent years, this Rank Test is only for eligible adults, who will have an opportunity to test for their next rank. No kids' rank testing will be held in August – the next Rank Testing event for kids (all divisions) is in October.

Special Scheduling Notes

As usual on Rank Testing days, the dojo opens at 11AM. Adult testing begins at 11:30AM; however any Adult 2nd Kyu karateka testing should be present at the dojo at 11AM because of the length of the written test at that rank. Those students will begin the written test before the rest of the group.

Testing is By Invitation

Testing, of course, is by invitation of Sensei. If you have received a written invitation, please return your completed information form to the Front Desk as soon as possible. It's important to get this form back to the dojo as soon as possible to allow for planning and logistics.

Note that because Rank Testing is an all-day event, the regular class schedule is suspended on Saturday, August 16, 2025. No classes will be held at the dojo on that date, and no livestream classes will be held.

As with most testing days, on August 16th the dojo opens at 11AM. All students testing are reminded to be prompt and arrive at the dojo in ample time for the start of their testing.

Appropriate Uniform

In addition, all students testing are reminded to be sure to wear a gi that has both a Goju shoulder patch and a Goju chest patch. Rank testing is a formal event and all Goju karateka are required to wear a gi that displays both patches to formal events. This applies to both kids and adults testing.

Don't have patches? Stop by the Front Desk at the NYC Dojo– they're available for a nominal cost (you'll need one for your shoulder and one for your chest: they're different). Please remember to sew them on: these patches aren't iron-on patches.

Shinzen Katami

If you're testing, also please consider bringing a shinzen katami with you. If you don't know what this is, please read about that here.

Adult Rank Testing

Adult rank testing for kyu-belt rank students begins at 11:30AM, with a written examination for all adults who are testing. It is followed by a general examination. The entire event, for adults in the 10th through 2nd Kyu ranks, lasts about two to three hours total.

This is an all-ranks testing event. That means that all kyu-level students (10th through 2nd) are eligible to test, pending an invitation to do so, of course.

As per tradition, Adult rank testing is a closed event: no spectators are permitted.