The G.S.K.A. ranks students according to a Kyu grade. The Kyu grade for the following Belt colors are as follows.
White – 10 Kyu
Orange – 9 Kyu
Gold – 8 Kyu
Blue – 7 Kyu
Green – 6 Kyu
Purple – 5 Kyu
Red – 4 Kyu
1st Brown – 3 Kyu
2nd Brown – 2 Kyu
3rd Brown – 1 Kyu
Upon becoming a 1st Kyu a student will then advance to the Dan ranks or Black Belt status.
A student must meet 2 physical guidelines to test for the next Kyu rank. 1. 3 calendar months must have passed. 2. A student must have attended at least 30, class sessions. Exceptions to each rule may occur on a case by case basis.
Beginner – We at the G.S.K.A. view students with the rank of 10 Kyu White Belt – 8 Kyu Gold Belt as beginners. Although each test is a bit more difficult than the one before the techniques at this level are very basic.
Intermediate – We at the G.S.K.A view students with the rank of 7 Kyu Blue Belt – 4 Kyu Red Belt at the Intermediate level. Students at this stage will start to develop more complex techniques and should be well versed in most self-defense situations.
Advanced – We at the G.S.K.A view students with the rank of 3rd Kyu Brown Belt – 1st Kyu Brown Belt as Advanced. These students are in the pre-black belt level and should be very knowledgeable of all aspects of their training. We expect people at this rank to be very skilled in most physical aspects and very capable of defending themselves.
It would be safe to assume the most important tests a student will take at the G.S.K.A. are the ones that move them from the Beginner to Intermediate stage, the Intermediate to Advanced stage and of course the Dan Exam for Black Belt.
