Kyu Grading are held every 3 months and all Kyu grades from Novice to Purple are invited to attend, provided that they meet the criteria for grading (see side bar).

Dan Grading are held separately every 6 months (see side bar for 1st Dan prerequisites).

Gradings are not "Exams" as such. The Gradings are an opportunity for the Senior Instructors to assess how well all students are learning the syllabus, to consider whether all items of the syllabus are being practised and carried out in the same manner and to the same standard by all students and to assess whether the Instructors need to be reminded of a particular method of teaching a particular technique.

The main Kyu Gradings usually take place every 3 months and are generally held at Brentwood in Essex. Gradings take place on a Sunday afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and all students wishing to improve their Grade, and approved by their Coach, are invited to attend.

All students of the same Grade will perform the defences from the syllabus, in the grade they are attempting to attain. The senior instructors will assess the group, and the team of instructors who also attend will give careful attention to each pair of students. In this way, a number of students may be graded to the same standard, at the same time.

Be assured that the Grading is not designed to be intimidating, but are an opportunity for the student to show off the skills learned alongside students from other clubs in a friendly and convivial atmosphere. There are usually a large number of students and instructors to be found in the Bar, once the Grading has been completed.