Traditionally, there were ten belt levels between beginner (white belt) and dan (black belt - pronounced "dahn"). We have expanded the first belt level for children so that they have more time to become proficient at the techniques and forms required but still be acknowledged as having achieved various basic skills. There are now 14 belt levels for children (10 for adults).
During this phase of instruction, students are referred to at "Gups" (the Korean term for "student") Your gup rank (i.e. 10th gup, 9th gup, 8th gup, etc) indicates how many ranks you have to go until you reach Cho Dan.
A good correlation are the "grades" in school. When you "pass", you go from grade level to grade level. Graduation from high school relates to receiving your Black Belt. You then have the choice of continuing your studies in order to receive a college degree. This corresponds to the various levels of black belt: 1st degree (cho dan), 2nd degree (e
e dan), 3rd degree (sam san) and so on.
Each testing opportunity allows the student to demonstrate their command of the techniques and their grasp of the concepts required for their belt level. These requirements have been designed to provide ever-increasing physical skill and understanding of the fundamentals of Tang Soo Do.
Testing opportunities are offered quarterly. It should be noted that, while time in training is crucial to developing the skills required for advancement, the passage of time, alone, does not guarantee that a student is ready to test.
"Pre-tests", conducted during regular class time must be completed and senior instructors will then recommend students for testing.