Thread: Why Test?
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Old 11-19-2003, 03:18 AM   #12
happysod
Dojo: Kiburn, London, UK
Location: London
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 899
United Kingdom
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Clayton, you have my sincerest sympathies for the position you're in, not teaching certain techniques unless you pass their test is, to my mind, a form of blackmail and intimates a distinct lack of interest in students as individuals.

Testing, like any other form of assessment can be good or bad. It depends on how consistently it is applied, how objective it is and how applicable it is to what you're trying to measure.

If you're feeling is that a standard aikido grading is somehow linked to how good you are at self-defence, I agree with Bruce, you are mistaken. However, as a test of your knowledge and personal development within aikido, most I've seen do measure up pretty well. Why have them, again it's my opinion that it's attempt at standardisation across an association and many need attainable milestones to aid their training. If you don't like them, don't do them. However, if you won't test, don't then expect your dojo to make special considerations for your "ideals".
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