Three Rivers Martial Arts
Three Rivers Martial Arts
968 Brookline Blvd.
​Pittsburgh, PA 15226
412-343-2900
[email protected]
facebook.com/threeriversmartialarts
  • Home
  • Instructor
  • Our School
  • Class Schedule & Rates
  • New Students
  • Belt Tests
  • Contact Info
  • Terminology
  • Sparring
  • Pictures

Belt Testing

Belt testings are held five times per year, roughly every 10 weeks.  At a belt testing students demonstrate their skills and abilities and are scored by a panel of judges who determine if a student's performance is satisfactory enough to achieve the next belt rank.  If a student passes their test, they receive their new rank at a belt ceremony during a class about a week and a half after the testing date, with the exception of students who test for a black belt rank, whom instead receive their new rank at the following testing.  For a color belt student, the students tests for the next belt in the belt sequence, as shown below.  For a blue or black belt student, the student recertifies their rank, keeping it current and working toward their eligibility for the following black belt rank.  All students at the school test as a group and all students are expected to test at every testing, unless otherwise notified by Master Camarco.
The fee for every belt test is $60.  Black belt tests are an exception to this.

Like the monthly tuition, testing payments can be made by cash or check.  Testing payments can be turned in as late as the day of testing.


Testing Schedule

Belt testings are held on Saturdays with a 10 AM start time for all students.  Students can arrive at the karate school as early as 9:30 AM on the morning of testing if they want to get in some last minute practice.  Prior to 9:30 AM, the door will be locked.  Remember to have your uniform and belt on testing day and if you have sparring gear, be sure to bring it with you.
2025 Testing Dates

February 22
May 3
July 19
September 27
​December 6

​Testing dates are tentative and can be moved forward or back by 1 week.

Belt Ranks

Belt Color

White
Yellow
Yellow with Black Stripe
Orange
Orange with Black Stripe
Green
Green with
Black Stripe
Brown
Brown with Black Stripe
Red
Red with Black Stripe
Blue
1st Degree Black Belt
2nd Degree Black Belt
3rd Degree Black Belt

4th Degree Black Belt
5th Degree Black Belt
6th Degree Black Belt
Rank Name

White Belt
10th Gup
9th Gup

8th Gup
7th Gup

6th Gup
5th Gup

4th Gup
3rd Gup

2nd Gup
1st Gup

Cho Dan Bo
Cho Dan (1st Dan)
E Dan (2nd Dan)
Sum Dan (3rd Dan)
Sa Dan (4th Dan)
O Dan (5th Dan)
Yuk Dan (6th Dan)

Cho Dan Bo Pretest Ranks - Stripe Color

Orange = 1 pretest
Green = 2 pretests
Brown = 3 pretests
Red = 4 pretests
Blue = 5 pretests

After 5 pretests, the student will receive a second stripe along with the previous blue one.

Black belt students also have their rank kept track of with pretests.  However, we do not put the tape stripes on black belts.

What is the minimum number of pretests or recertifications necessary to test for a new black belt rank?

Blue belt (Cho Dan Bo): 6 pretests to test for 1st degree black belt
1st degree black belt: 10 pretests to test for 2nd degree black belt
2nd degree black belt: 15 pretests to test for 3rd degree black belt
3rd degree black belt: 10 pretests to test for 4th degree black belt, along with other requirements that are expected to take at least 2 years to complete
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.