Promotion

In Aikido there are basically two different categories of practitioners, white belts and black belts. In recent years blue and brown belt colours have been introduced replacing some of the white belt levels. However, the ranks remain the same. At present there are 5 levels of white belt and 8 of black belt (levels 9 and 10 for black belt are reserved for special circumstances).

The first exam in Aikido will usually be fifth kyu also known as gokyu (there appears to be a change coming about to start at sixth kyu). After that yonkyu (4th), sankyu (3rd), nikyu (2nd), and ikkyu (1st). Black belt levels start with shodan (1st) through judan (10th).

Prerequisite to take an exam is the attendance of a specified number of classes. At the exam the practitioner has to demonstrate certain movements and techniques. For advanced exams, more emphasis is put on the flow of the technique as well as the use of ki. Exams may be held at any time of the year and are either conducted by dojo instructors or Kawahara Sensei at training seminars and camps. Technique content for kyu grades is specified by the Canadian Aikido Federation, and dan grades by the examining Shihan.

Promotion is based on hours of practice, ability, and spirit (attitude). The exact content of the exam is determined at the time of the exam by the examiner. As a result anything that you have been shown is fair game but the expectations are given in the following guideline and are frequently used as exam requirements. At low grades the practitioner is expected to know the basic forms. As rank increases timing, balance, then speed and stability, then power and flow become more important. At the highest levels, technique variations become important. The following listing is based on the British Columbia Aikido Federation test requirements. One day of practice equals one hour countable per day from the date of the last exam.

Gokyu (5)	To know the basic forms with accuracy	40 days
Basic	shomenuchi iriminage shomenuchi kotegaeshi shomenuchi shihonage shomenuchi ikkyo shomenuchi nikyo shomenuchi sankyo shomenuchi yonkyo yokomenuchi shihonage katatetori kokyuho ryotetori tenchinage ryotetori kokyu dosa
Additional	suwariwaza shomenuchi ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo morotetori iriminage tsuki kotegaeshi
Optional	katatetori koshinage ushiro ryotekubitori ikkyo

Yonkyu (4)	To have balance and proper timing	80 days
Basic	katatetori iriminage (ai hanmi and gyaku hanmi) yokomenuchi kotegaeshi yokomenuchi shihonage ushiro ryotekubitori shihonage morotetori kokyuho (2 ways) tsuki kotegaeshi
Additional	suwariwaza shomenuchi ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, gokyo tsuki kaitennage ushiro ryotekubitori kotegaeshi
Optional	yokomenuchi kokyunage ushiro ryotekubitori kokyunage shomenuchi koshinage tsuki ikkyo

Sankyu (3)	To have speed and stability	100 days
Basic	suwariwaza and tachiwaza: shomenuchi nikyo suwariwaza and tachiwaza: shomenuchi sankyo yokomenuchi kotegaeshi morotetori iriminage ryotetori shihonage ushiro ryotekubitori shihonage
Additional	ushiro ryokatatori ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo ushiro ryotekubitori kaitennage ushiro ryotekubitori kaiten iriminage hanmi handachi: katatetori shihonage shomenuchi kokyunage
Optional	hanmi handachi: katatetori kaitennage tsuki koshinage tsuki nikyo

Nikyu (2)	To have power and be flowing	150 days
Basic	yokomenuchi nikyo gyaku hanmi: katatetori kotegaeshi gyaku hanmi: katatetori iriminage hanmi handachi: ushiro ryokatatori shihonage tsuki ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo ushiro ryokatatori ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo jiyu waza (one attacker)
Additional	yokomenuchi sankyo katatori menuchi nikyo katatori menuchi kotegaeshi hanmi handachi: katatetori kaitennage hanmi handachi: ushiro ryokatatori kotegaeshi yokomenuchi kokyunage (3 ways)
Optional	ushiro ryokatatori jujinage ushiro ryokatatori aiki otoshi yokomenuchi koshinage ushiro katatetori kubishime koshinage

Ikkyu (1)
Basic	shomenuchi iriminage yokomenuchi iriminage munetori iriminage tsuki iriminage yokomenuchi gokyo yokomenuchi kaitennage yokomenuchi koshinage ushiro ryokatatori aiki otoshi ushiro ryokatatori jujinage ushiro ryokatatori kokyunage morotetori ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, gokyo suwariwaza yokomenuchi ikkyo, nikyo, sankyo, yonkyo, gokyo katatori menuchi - 5 techniques yokomenuchi - 5 techniques morotetori - 5 techniques 5 attacks - 5 koshinage jiyuwaza (two attackers)
Additional	morotetori koshinage ushiro ryotetori koshinage ushiro katatetori kubishime shihonage ushiro katatetori kubishime kokyunage hanmi handachi: shomenuchi iriminage hanmi handachi: shomenuchi kotegaeshi hanmi handachi: shomenuchi shihonage hanmi handachi: shomenuchi ikkyo ushiro waza - 5 techniques 5 kokyunage 3 renraku waza
Optional	tanto dori tachi dori jo dori henka waza kaeshi waza

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