Tiny Test

I've done a lot of exams in my life. None has ever been anywhere near as difficult

as the one I'm in right now.

University math, physics, history, or even Karate exams; nothing is even close.

What makes it so hard?

Let's look at the first part of it. There are 51 items to perform. Each is a sequence of movements. There can be no hesitation; every body part must perform exactly as required. There is also a partner to perform everything on. The candidate’s movements must correctly interpret their partner's movements, even if they are out of place.

In theory, the maximum time to perform part one is 15 minutes. In reality, it is more like 14 as there is a bunch of mandatory audio that has to be included. That works out to about 15 seconds to perform each of the 51 items. It is doable, but there is no lolling about or thinking time at all.

The second test part has more material to perform, and the third slightly less.

In all of this, the candidate is permitted a maximum of 20 demerits. The smallest hesitation, wrong grip, hand angle, or anything else draws a demerit.

At my Shotokan Karate Black Belt exam, there were three parts with pauses in between during which the candidate would stand waiting, and resting. Adding together all of the moving time, and it was maybe 15 minutes, tops; and there were two rest pauses of about 30 seconds when recovery was possible.

Each of the Jiu-Jitsu exam's first three parts is just as physically intense and draining as my entire Black Belt exam.

I don't know if it all requites more brain power than a university exam, but try doing calculus with somebody on top of you, as you squirm side-to-side, with the intensity of a footrace.

That covers the first three parts.

The final three section are blessedly only five minutes each. They involve sparring. With a weak opponent the expectation on the candidate is much higher. With a tough opponent, more leeway is given. The opponent is expected to do their best. These are marked on a pass/fail basis depending on the candidate’s use of appropriate technique.

These are much easier.

Each of the 6 sections is recorded, and bundled off to the Gracie University website for evaluation.

The only thing that makes it possible is that the sections can be performed as many times as desired until the candidate and their instructor is content with the result. This was all taken into consideration when the system was set up. This is why only 20 demerits are permitted.

I hate the bloody thing.