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Old 05-02-2009, 08:27 PM   #1
Sy Labthavikul
Dojo: Aikido Academy USA of Alhambra
Location: Los Angeles area, CA
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Pop quiz, hot shot

Has anyone (or anyone you know) ever been asked to take a test without having prior knowledge they were going to be taking a test? How did it turn out?


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train as if the tengu will never visit, execute as if they already have
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Old 05-02-2009, 09:25 PM   #2
Peter Goldsbury
 
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Dojo: Hiroshima Kokusai Dojo
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Yes. For shodan. I was told just beforehand. I passed.

PAG

P A Goldsbury
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Old 05-03-2009, 01:40 AM   #3
Michael Hackett
Dojo: Kenshinkan Dojo (Aikido of North County) Vista, CA
Location: Oceanside, California
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Yes, second kyu and I passed, much to my surprise. I actually had fun during the test and enjoyed the experience. I think I would have enjoyed it even if there had been a failing grade...I dunno, but I think so.

Michael
"Leave the gun. Bring the cannoli."
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Old 05-03-2009, 03:52 AM   #4
Amir Krause
Dojo: Shirokan Dojo / Tel Aviv Israel
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Yes, in my Nidan test.

A friend had his Shodan test. Between the parts of his test, me and another friend were asked to "show" some other things, without being told we are being tested.

After the friends test was over, Sensei said he past, and "Oh yea, ... & Amir have also passed and are now Nidan".

I guess such things are easier whrn your teacher is allowed (within your org) to test you and rank you on his own.

Amir
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Old 05-03-2009, 06:12 AM   #5
Eric Webber
Dojo: Aikido West Reading
Location: Reading, Pa
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

All of my kyu exams were by surprise. My teacher would simply come out onto the mat in the middle of a class with a clip board and test some folks. Was great because you didn't spend weeks trying to "prepare" for an exam and get nervous and distracted from the daily training. Much appreciated.
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Old 05-03-2009, 09:45 AM   #6
mwpowell
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

My recent 5th kyu test was completely unexpected. After warm-ups and ukemi, Sensei asked me to stand and perform kosa katate dori kotegaeshi, so I did. Then he asked for ikkyo, so I did. He kept requesting one technique after another until I'd gone through everything. Then he asked me to sit down. So I did.

He then proceeded with the class, and 5 or 10 minutes later looked my direction & said, "Oh, by the way, you just got your 5th kyu". Complete surprise, as I didn't realize I was being tested.

Be willing to give up all that you now are, to be all that you can become.
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Old 05-03-2009, 05:06 PM   #7
ninjaqutie
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

I have never been tested in aikido since I am so new, but our tests in my aikijitsu class was always a surprise. You never knew if they were jus watching of if it was a test. Kept you on your toes.
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Old 05-03-2009, 11:09 PM   #8
Abasan
Dojo: Aiki Shoshinkan, Aiki Kenkyukai
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

All of my tests except for shodan were surprise tests. Well not really.

The sensei's habit was to use us extensively as ukes throughout the preceding class. And if the class ends early, then you know what's next.

Draw strength from stillness. Learn to act without acting. And never underestimate a samurai cat.
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Old 05-04-2009, 09:54 AM   #9
Lan Powers
Dojo: Aikido of Midland, Midland TX
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

"Oh, bye the way, bring your testing fees to the seminar. You test this weekend for Shodan"
About 3 months before the "planned" date.
passed, had fun, was VERY NERVOUS but it went all right.

Play nice, practice hard, but remember, this is a MARTIAL art!
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Old 07-16-2009, 01:48 PM   #10
AnaSophia
Dojo: Aikido of Santa Barbara
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

a friend of mine took & passed his scheduled 4th kyu test. afterwards sensei says "alright, everyone did very well... take a 5 minute water break and then come back because [the guy that just received yonkyu] is testing for his brown belt!"
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Old 07-16-2009, 03:24 PM   #11
RED
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

In our dojo typically the Sensie won't allow people to test without seeing them. We make sort of a party out of testing days, she wants to make sure everyone shows up to support the testers and she wants to be sure they are ready and will pass.

Now as for Christine in our class.. she found out she was testing the night before the test lol... that's usually not typical, but they knew she'd be doing fine!
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Old 07-16-2009, 07:00 PM   #12
Nick P.
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

When we do a surprise test, the person testing walks into the empty dojo, thinking there is a regular class.

They begin to get changed, and then the lights go out. LOVE hearing the muffled "Oh, $shit!" from them as we all rush out from our hiding places and proceed to give 'em the beats. SO much fun.



No, seriously, not yet, but am enjoying reading other's accounts.

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Old 07-16-2009, 10:31 PM   #13
ninjaqutie
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Do the lights go back on before or are they doing this in the dark....

~Look into the eyes of your opponent & steal his spirit.
~To be a good martial artist is to be good thief; if you want my knowledge, you must take it from me.
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Old 07-16-2009, 11:34 PM   #14
MikeLogan
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

My 3rd kyu test was by surprise. I had been uke for many of the other tests that day (2nd, 1st tests). I would have liked to prepare more, but I suppose that is what 2nd kyu is for

michael.

If way to the better there be, it exacts a full look at the worst.

- Thomas Hardy
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Old 07-17-2009, 06:13 AM   #15
Nick P.
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Quote:
Ashley Carter wrote: View Post
Do the lights go back on before or are they doing this in the dark....
ALL in the dark, keeps everyone sharp, as you might find yourself having to be nage if your fellow uke mistakes you for the victim, er, lucky person being tested.

Sensei has night-vision goggles to see how nage does.

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Old 07-17-2009, 10:23 AM   #16
jason jordan
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

My Nidan test was a surprise. It was like regular class, only my sensei was working a lot with me that night. Not really correcting me, but nailing me with attacks, and throwing me very very hard.
Afterwards he bowed and said "Congratulations"
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Old 07-17-2009, 07:52 PM   #17
RED
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Quote:
Jason Jordan wrote: View Post
My Nidan test was a surprise. It was like regular class, only my sensei was working a lot with me that night. Not really correcting me, but nailing me with attacks, and throwing me very very hard.
Afterwards he bowed and said "Congratulations"
Were you awarded the Nidan from Southlake aikikai?
I can't see Dallas Aikikai granting any dan with only the dojo sensie approval because it is a federation dojo.
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Old 07-17-2009, 08:08 PM   #18
RED
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Quote:
AnaSophia Eiseman wrote: View Post
a friend of mine took & passed his scheduled 4th kyu test. afterwards sensei says "alright, everyone did very well... take a 5 minute water break and then come back because [the guy that just received yonkyu] is testing for his brown belt!"
They did that at the Santa Barbara dojo? I didn't even think they awarded colored belts ???
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Old 08-04-2009, 03:20 PM   #19
Lyle Laizure
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

The pop quiz is my preferred way to administer tests. My sensei has done this a few times as well. In both cases the tests have come out very well.

Lyle Laizure
www.hinodedojo.com
Deru kugi wa uta reru
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Old 08-17-2009, 02:51 PM   #20
Phil Van Treese
Dojo: Tampa Judo and Aikido Dojo, Tampa, Fl
Location: Tampa, Florida
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

I never tell my students they're testing. Either they know it or they don't. If they pass, I tell them at the end of the class. If they fail, they never know about it. A test might be a week or 2 long. Everything is covered but they never know as I said before.
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Old 08-19-2009, 09:47 AM   #21
Ketsan
Dojo: Zanshin Kai
Location: Birmingham
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

I've had short notice before. "I don't want you, Bob or Richard going out drinking this weekend" "Why Sensei?" "Never you mind."
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Old 08-19-2009, 02:52 PM   #22
Linda Eskin
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

I had a 3rd grade teacher who threatened (only half-kiddingly) that she might show up at any of our homes at any time, day or night, and ask us questions about things we were supposed to know. She never did (at least not with me), but the threat kept me on my toes!

Our tests are done with ample notice, and we work with a higher-ranked mentor to prepare. While I appreciate that, I try to learn as if my 3rd grade teacher (or Sensei) were lurking out there somewhere.

Linda Eskin - Facebook | My Aikido blog: Grab My Wrist

"Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train." - Morihei Ueshiba
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Old 09-20-2009, 09:30 AM   #23
Adam Huss
 
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Re: Pop quiz, hot shot

Our school has done the "surprise you just tested" thing before, only with mudansha though. They try to make yudansha tests relatively nerve wracking.

A teacher of mine was testing for godan (not usually a physical test for this) when a teacher from Japan was in town (I think it was Terada Sensei). Two days before the test she was informed the testing requirements she had been studying changed significantly, but she still passed (and did really well). This was for a Yoshinkan test, so the test was rather detailed and specific about the things required in it (for example the 1st kyu testing requirements are two pages long).

Ichi Go, Ichi Ei!
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