Good Job, Candidates!

Yesterday our school conducted the second pre-test for those candidates who are eligible to test for Il Gup (Deputy Black Belt), Cho Dan (First Degree Black Belt) and Ee Dan (Second Degree Black Belt). I went through this procedure in preparing for my promotion to Il Gup last fall, so I was very interested to observe the process this time, especially since my grandson is one of the Cho Dan candidates.

The pre-test, as the name implies, is a preview of the actual testing, which will take place at the end of April. It lasts only two and a half hours instead of five hours, but it incorporates just about everything that will be covered later, with the exception of written material and Ho Sin Sul (Self-Defense), which is mostly evaluated in class. Every effort is made to avoid prolonged "sitting time" for any group; usually while one group is being evaluated, the remaining candidates are doing endurance drills. It's tiring, but it's much better than sitting still and getting stiff.

I was very impressed with the level of discipline and preparedness demonstrated by this group, much better than at the first pre-test a few weeks ago. Last time people were bowing out of forms review by the dozen; this time only a few people bowed out, and they did so showing good protocol. Last time there were several requests for water breaks; I didn't hear any this time. Last time the judges were continually reminding the candidates: "Deeper stances!" or "Better preparation!" This time the reminders came far less frequently, because they were less necessary.

There were a few kids, predictably among the younger Il Gup candidates, who clearly could use more seasoning and might be deferred until the next round of testing in the fall. But there were others who didn't do so well in the last pre-test, but who really stepped up their game this time. If everyone keeps on preparing at the same level as they have over the last few weeks, the Spring 2009 Testing group should be truly outstanding.