Re: Up and downs. Teaching / running a dojo
 

ref testing, my instructor often says it is him who is up on the mat not us, bearing in mind the grading shihan's odten give us a good looking over before the test as well as during the test.

Re: Up and downs. Teaching / running a dojo
 

I'm of the opposite standing. I prefer rank to be based on physical ability and technique vs time in rank. Its one thing that irks me about judo and I love about bjj. In judo I've met black belts that couldn't throw me if they tried. But I've never met a bjj purple belt who couldn't clean house with my face.

Re: Up and downs. Teaching / running a dojo
 

Our instructor will have 'mock tests' near the end of class in the weeks prior to an examination. These tests are generally no more than a few minutes each and focus on the process and etiquette of testing. As a very nervous test-taker myself, I find that preparation very helpful.

Re: Up and downs. Teaching / running a dojo
 

I actually think it should be about both. I've seen both sides of this, now, and I believe there should be a minimum time in rank before someone promotes, but there should also be some technical standards.

I'm not as big on formal testing as I once was. But some kind of technical evaluation is required, IMO.

I tell my students that their promotion is based on three things: attendance, technical ability and attitude. We have ten kyu ranks. The first three promotions are mostly about attendance. The next six are more about technical ability. After that, it's mostly about attitude. But all three are evaluated at every level, it's just a question of weighting.