England Wado Kai Grading Rules

A grading is a formal examination for which the applicant must be fully prepared. This preparation takes time which can vary greatly between individuals, and generally takes longer for junior Karateka (karate student).

• All grading candidates must have a current EWKR Licence, which must be presented to the examiner along with their attendance book on the day of grading. A karate licence renewal or application form is available on our downloads page›

• Students must have a minimum of 24 attendance stamps and have allowed a period of 12 weeks since their last grading. There is no short-cut to developing karate, and constant and regular training is needed to progress at all levels. Generally it is the case that students of higher grades will need more time between gradings.

• Attendance stamps may not be carried forward from grading to grading: these stamps represent time and effort spent on training for the grade in hand, any new training shall be spent on a new syllabus and a new preparation for a new belt.

• The requirement to have 24 stamps may be waived in the case of beginners, at the discretion of the examiner. Ask your instructor for advice about this.

• Students failing a grading must wait a minimum of one month before re-taking the grade, and may be required to prepare for a longer period at the discretion of the examiner. Advicde and guidance from your instructor is very important when re-applying to grade.

Junior Karateka (aged 6 to 11)

Junior students must take a Mon Grade prior to taking the associated Kyu grade, e.g. 8th Mon, 8th Kyu, 7th Mon, 7th Kyu. Having reached 1st Kyu, junior students may apply to take a Junior Dan Grade (Black Belt), but are not then able to take further dan grades until they are Adults (16 or above).

Cadet Karateka (aged 12 to 15)

Cadets apply for Mon Grades prior to taking the associated Kyu grade, in the same manner as Junior Students, and can also not progress beyond Junior 1st Dan until they are 16. In exceptional cases -- and only at the discretion of the examiner -- cadets may be awarded a Kyu Grade instead of Mon grade upon completion of a particularly outstanding grade. It must be stressed that the award of a Kyu grade rather than a Mon grade reflects remarkable progress, and is the exception rather than the rule. The award of an exceptional Kyu grade does in any way affect the outcome of future grades which are judged on their merit on the day.

Adult Karateka (aged 16 and above)

Adults are not required to apply for Mon grades, and progress via Kyu gradings.