Promotions at the MIT Shotokan Karate Club!

How often are promotions?

At our club, promotion examinations take place once per semester/summer session. All beginner ranks (yellow through purple belt) promotions are personally supervised by Sensei Tabata at MIT, and promotions for advanced ranks (brown and up) are held at the regional NECKC promotion, although students may attend the NECKC promotion for beginner ranks as well.

Who is allowed to promote?

Generally the rules for who is allowed to try to promote are extremely lax. For advanced ranks, Sensei Tabata sometimes imposes attendance requirements at the advanced classes (typically a minimum of 7/14 of the advanced classes held in a semester), but even if you're not going to try to promote, you are encouraged to attend the promotion practice and work out with the people trying to advance. If you are not attempting to promote, there is no fee for attending the practice.

Special Preparation

Every semester, Sensei Tabata attempts to hold a special session dedicated to Kata practice shortly before the promotion or tournament. This is a great oportunity to improve your performance by receiving advice form your colleagues and by observing the way other people execute!