Standards
Our schools are greatly respected for having the highest possible standards and this is reflected in our examination of the students. Grading plays an important part in a student’s development and our students undergo extremely rigorous testing to ensure that they have the requisite knowledge, ability and understanding to progress to the next level. Indeed, no student is even permitted to enter for an examination grade unless s/he has prior approval from a teacher. To put our standards in perspective, our schools are some of the only schools worldwide to have failed students at a basic level.
The level expected of the student rises sharply as a student progresses through the
grading system. Not only do students have to show significant development on materials tested at previous grading levels, but have to be at the requisite standard for the next level. It is one thing for a student to superficially ‘know’ the material, but quite another to demonstrate their skills when heavily fatigued and under pressure.
All students are expected to attend an examination twice a year, with one of these being at the final seminar of the year (Chi-Sau seminar). Students are usually only permitted to take one grade per exam. On rare occasions, and with the express permission of Si-Fu, two levels may be taken at one examination.
Examination
Students of all levels have the privilege of being examined by
Si-Fu Julian Hitch personally to ensure that the standards across the schools are universally high. There is no set time for the exams; they last until Si-Fu is satisfied the students have sufficiently demonstrated their ability and knowledge. As a guide, students can expect the exam itself to last between 5-6 hours, although some exams last significantly longer. The final examination of the year has been known to last up to 9 hours.
All exams take place at the end of a
seminar, where the students are already physically drained from intense training. Each seminar typically lasts 4-5 days (approximately 15-18 hours of training) and takes place 5-6 times per year. Students are not required to attend the whole seminar, although it is strongly recommended. However, to ensure sufficient preparation they must attend at least 2 half sessions.
Progression as a Martial Artist
Martial Art exams are a special type of exam, assessed on an individual basis. While there is a minimum requirement and standard for each level, passing the exam does not only depend on ability and knowledge. Particularly in the higher levels, the person’s development through the art is a key factor; fighting ability, without understanding and application of the principles, will not suffice.
Although not a frequent occurrence, it is possible for a less proficient student to pass while a more proficient student fails. It is not just how ‘good’ the student is, but how much they have progressed from the last exam.
Criteria
The criteria for an examination depends upon the level being attempted. However, physical prowess alone will not be sufficient. Understanding is a pre-requisite for any level and all students will be tested on the theory, culture and etiquette surrounding Chinese Wing Tsun, along with the meanings behind the art. To ensure students are tested sufficiently under pressure, the exact format of the exam changes each time. No teacher or student is informed prior to the exam as to exactly what will be examined.
Preparation
In the week prior to the examination, the lessons are dedicated to consolidating information taught in the classes and addressing key points for the exams. Students are divided according to grade, and practice materials specific to their level. Every student is also provisionally assessed by the teachers. While this is quite a strenuous undertaking by the schools, it ensures that the quality of our students remains high. During this time students will have the chance to ask questions on points about which they are unsure.
Fees and Uniform
During the pre-examination assessment, students will be provided with an Examination Guidance brochure which details examination fees and the main points expected of the students. As with all professional exams, examination fees must be paid in advance for a student to be permitted to take the exam. Students are only charged one examination fee and are not required to pay again if they are unsuccessful.
It is essential that all students attend in the appropriate uniform; students failing to do so will not be permitted to take the examination. Before Grade 4 this includes Chinese Wing Tsun t-shirt (with previous grading badge) along with the appropriate safety equipment. After Grade 5, students must also wear Chinese Wing Tsun trousers and slippers. As is traditional, all students should wear white socks with their uniform.
Success Rates
There are no set quotas as to how many students pass our examinations – it simply depends on the students, their skill, preparation and their performance on the day. It is a founding principle of our schools that it is better for a student to have an accurate assessment of his/her level and be unsuccessful, rather than be successful and receive a meaningless certificate. A Chinese Wing Tsun certificate represents the ancient authentic art and is heir to the highest form of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Despite the preliminary assessment and revision sessions, on average between 20 – 35% of students are unsuccessful at any given examination (with 80-90% passing on the 2nd attempt). The success rate falls significantly in the immediate and higher grades, with Technician levels being particularly difficult. It is generally not a poor reflection on a student if s/he is unsuccessful; the exams are so exacting that it is now rare for a student to achieve Technician Level without ever having been unsuccessful.
Private lessons
Students are permitted to take private lessons from teachers before the exam. In the higher levels it is strongly recommended. However, the number of privates taught to any individual in the two weeks preceding the exam is limited to ensure that the ‘true’ level of the student is tested. Students are also advised to book these well in advance as the weeks before the classes are extremely busy, with only a limited amount of time available by the teachers.
For Grade 12 (equivalent of Black Belt) and Technician Levels students must take a private with Si-Fu prior to the exam to ensure that the requisite pre-examination standards have been met.
Teacher’s responsibility
Examination of the students is an important time for the teachers. It is their duty to ensure that only those students who are sufficiently prepared are entered for the exams. In addition it is the teachers’ responsibility to ensure that the students who are entered are trained to the appropriate level and achieve the high standards demanded by the school. While the actual performance of the students on the day of the examination is, of course, in students’ hands, every exam is also examination of the ability of the teachers themselves.
Feedback
Each student, regardless of whether successful or not, is given feedback on their performance. Teachers are also given specific guidance on the general improvements required. The two weeks following the exams are dedicated to practising necessary improvements.
Certification
Certificates are not presented until a minimum of two weeks afterwards, allowing an additional period of time to ensure that a successful student has the requisite attitude and conduct required of a martial artist. All certificates are signed by Si-Fu personally, and are entered in the membership booklets.
Standards
Our schools are greatly respected for having the highest possible standards and this is reflected in our examination of the students. Grading plays an important part in a student’s development and our students undergo extremely rigorous testing to ensure that they have the requisite knowledge, ability and understanding to progress to the next level. Indeed, no student is even permitted to enter for an examination grade unless s/he has prior approval from a teacher. To put our standards in perspective, our schools are some of the only schools worldwide to have failed students at a basic level.
The level expected of the student rises sharply as a student progresses through the
grading system. Not only do students have to show significant development on materials tested at previous grading levels, but have to be at the requisite standard for the next level. It is one thing for a student to superficially ‘know’ the material, but quite another to demonstrate their skills when heavily fatigued and under pressure.
All students are expected to attend an examination twice a year, with one of these being at the final seminar of the year (Chi-Sau seminar). Students are usually only permitted to take one grade per exam. On rare occasions, and with the express permission of Si-Fu, two levels may be taken at one examination.
Examination
Students of all levels have the privilege of being examined by
Si-Fu Julian Hitch personally to ensure that the standards across the schools are universally high. There is no set time for the exams; they last until Si-Fu is satisfied the students have sufficiently demonstrated their ability and knowledge. As a guide, students can expect the exam itself to last between 5-6 hours, although some exams last significantly longer. The final examination of the year has been known to last up to 9 hours.
All exams take place at the end of a
seminar, where the students are already physically drained from intense training. Each seminar typically lasts 4-5 days (approximately 15-18 hours of training) and takes place 5-6 times per year. Students are not required to attend the whole seminar, although it is strongly recommended. However, to ensure sufficient preparation they must attend at least 2 half sessions.
Progression as a Martial Artist
Martial Art exams are a special type of exam, assessed on an individual basis. While there is a minimum requirement and standard for each level, passing the exam does not only depend on ability and knowledge. Particularly in the higher levels, the person’s development through the art is a key factor; fighting ability, without understanding and application of the principles, will not suffice.
Although not a frequent occurrence, it is possible for a less proficient student to pass while a more proficient student fails. It is not just how ‘good’ the student is, but how much they have progressed from the last exam.
Criteria
The criteria for an examination depends upon the level being attempted. However, physical prowess alone will not be sufficient. Understanding is a pre-requisite for any level and all students will be tested on the theory, culture and etiquette surrounding Chinese Wing Tsun, along with the meanings behind the art. To ensure students are tested sufficiently under pressure, the exact format of the exam changes each time. No teacher or student is informed prior to the exam as to exactly what will be examined.
Preparation
In the week prior to the examination, the lessons are dedicated to consolidating information taught in the classes and addressing key points for the exams. Students are divided according to grade, and practice materials specific to their level. Every student is also provisionally assessed by the teachers. While this is quite a strenuous undertaking by the schools, it ensures that the quality of our students remains high. During this time students will have the chance to ask questions on points about which they are unsure.
Fees and Uniform
During the pre-examination assessment, students will be provided with an Examination Guidance brochure which details examination fees and the main points expected of the students. As with all professional exams, examination fees must be paid in advance for a student to be permitted to take the exam. Students are only charged one examination fee and are not required to pay again if they are unsuccessful.
It is essential that all students attend in the appropriate uniform; students failing to do so will not be permitted to take the examination. Before Grade 4 this includes Chinese Wing Tsun t-shirt (with previous grading badge) along with the appropriate safety equipment. After Grade 5, students must also wear Chinese Wing Tsun trousers and slippers. As is traditional, all students should wear white socks with their uniform.
Success Rates
There are no set quotas as to how many students pass our examinations – it simply depends on the students, their skill, preparation and their performance on the day. It is a founding principle of our schools that it is better for a student to have an accurate assessment of his/her level and be unsuccessful, rather than be successful and receive a meaningless certificate. A Chinese Wing Tsun certificate represents the ancient authentic art and is heir to the highest form of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Despite the preliminary assessment and revision sessions, on average between 20 – 35% of students are unsuccessful at any given examination (with 80-90% passing on the 2nd attempt). The success rate falls significantly in the immediate and higher grades, with Technician levels being particularly difficult. It is generally not a poor reflection on a student if s/he is unsuccessful; the exams are so exacting that it is now rare for a student to achieve Technician Level without ever having been unsuccessful.
Private lessons
Students are permitted to take private lessons from teachers before the exam. In the higher levels it is strongly recommended. However, the number of privates taught to any individual in the two weeks preceding the exam is limited to ensure that the ‘true’ level of the student is tested. Students are also advised to book these well in advance as the weeks before the classes are extremely busy, with only a limited amount of time available by the teachers.
For Grade 12 (equivalent of Black Belt) and Technician Levels students must take a private with Si-Fu prior to the exam to ensure that the requisite pre-examination standards have been met.
Teacher’s responsibility
Examination of the students is an important time for the teachers. It is their duty to ensure that only those students who are sufficiently prepared are entered for the exams. In addition it is the teachers’ responsibility to ensure that the students who are entered are trained to the appropriate level and achieve the high standards demanded by the school. While the actual performance of the students on the day of the examination is, of course, in students’ hands, every exam is also examination of the ability of the teachers themselves.
Feedback
Each student, regardless of whether successful or not, is given feedback on their performance. Teachers are also given specific guidance on the general improvements required. The two weeks following the exams are dedicated to practising necessary improvements.
Certification
Certificates are not presented until a minimum of two weeks afterwards, allowing an additional period of time to ensure that a successful student has the requisite attitude and conduct required of a martial artist. All certificates are signed by Si-Fu personally, and are entered in the membership booklets.