All students, adults and children alike, begin as a white belt. Testing for the next level takes place every six to eight weeks. Achieving the next level belt is tangible proof of a student's progress. For children this can strengthen the commitment to Tae Kwon Do practice and build confidence, self-esteem, and pride. Children are observed in class and when they show evidence of having mastered the requirements necessary to successfully test for the next level, they are invited to test. Please help your child understand that people work at different paces and levels, and the instructor's decision to invite a child to test comes after careful observation and consideration. Children who are not invited to test have not failed in any way; they are just learning at a pace that is appropriate for them.

The higher your child progresses in rank, the longer the periods between testing because the requirements get more complex as the rank goes up. It takes a minimum of three years to progress from white belt to black belt, but more than time, it takes dedication, practice and determination.