Shōtō KeishōkaiShōtō Lineage Karate-dō Association
Standards · Dan examinations

Dan exam cheat sheets

One page for each grade. Print them double-sided or one per sheet; each fits a single letter page.

Standard Joint-friendly The full examinations Scoring sheets and rubrics Download PDF Print

Shodan 1st Dan

Shōtō Keishōkai · Dan examination cheat sheet
Eligibility: One year at 1st Kyu.
SectionWhat is examinedPointsFloor
1. KataOne of Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion. Declare 14 days ahead.3018
2. KihonNine combinations, three repetitions each3018
3. Self-defenseOne combination, slow with explanation then twice at realistic speed. Declare 14 days ahead.159
4. Jiyu ippon kumiteFive attacks, both sides, candidate defending2515

Kihon From gedan barai in front stance

  1. Sanbon renzuki, stepping in
  2. Age-uke, gyaku-zuki, stepping back
  3. Soto-uke, yoko-empi, yoko-uraken, gyaku-zuki (front to straddle to front)
  4. Uchi-uke back stance, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki front stance, stepping back
  5. Shuto-uke back stance, nukite front stance, stepping in
  6. Mae-geri on the spot, mae-geri stepping in
  7. Mawashi-geri, stepping in
  8. Yoko-geri keage in kiba-dachi, right and left, stepping in
  9. Yoko-kekomi in zenkutsu-dachi, stepping in

Key points

  • Kumite attacks: jodan oi-zuki, chudan oi-zuki, chudan mae-geri, chudan yoko-kekomi, mawashi-geri (attacker declares jodan or chudan).
  • Examiners want: kime, fluid block-and-counter, distance, timing, and getting off the power line.
  • Self-defense: realism, economy, finishing position, adaptation, link to a kata principle.
All grades: Two voting examiners and an optional third seat. Each scores every section independently; the head examiner decides where there is no consensus. Pass: 70 or more of 100 and the floor (60%) in every section. A section below its floor fails the grading; one retest of that section within six months. Bands: Model 90 to 100%, Solid 70 to 89%, Faulty 50 to 69%, Not at standard below 50%. Order on the day: kata, kihon, self-defense, kumite. Kumite is last on purpose. Over 60: rest of 2 to 3 minutes between sections on request. The whole examination is recorded on continuous, unedited video.

Nidan 2nd Dan

Shōtō Keishōkai · Dan examination cheat sheet
Eligibility: One year at Shodan.
SectionWhat is examinedPointsFloor
1. Kata and bunkaiFavorite kata (20, declare 14 days ahead) plus two bunkai (10)3018
2. KihonTen combinations, three repetitions each2515
3. Self-defenseTwo combinations: a grab and a strike. Declare 14 days ahead.2012
4. KumiteJiyu ippon, five attacks, both sides and roles (15), plus one 2-minute round of jiyu kumite (10)2515

Kihon From gedan barai in front stance

  1. Chudan oi-zuki, stepping in
  2. Jodan oi-zuki, chudan gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  3. Sanbon renzuki, stepping in
  4. Age-uke, soto-uke (same arm), gyaku-zuki, stepping back
  5. Uchi-uke back stance, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  6. Shuto-uke back stance, nukite, stepping back
  7. Mae-geri on the spot, mae-geri stepping in
  8. Yoko-geri keage, yoko-kekomi, kiba-dachi, alternating feet
  9. Yoko-kekomi in zenkutsu-dachi, stepping in
  10. Mawashi-geri, yoko-uraken, chudan gyaku-zuki, stepping in

Key points

  • Bunkai: fidelity to the kata, function against a partner who attacks with intent, clear explanation.
  • As attacker: crisp and committed but controlled. Jiyu kumite round: initiative, distance, control, composure.
All grades: Two voting examiners and an optional third seat. Each scores every section independently; the head examiner decides where there is no consensus. Pass: 70 or more of 100 and the floor (60%) in every section. A section below its floor fails the grading; one retest of that section within six months. Bands: Model 90 to 100%, Solid 70 to 89%, Faulty 50 to 69%, Not at standard below 50%. Order on the day: kata, kihon, self-defense, kumite. Kumite is last on purpose. Over 60: rest of 2 to 3 minutes between sections on request. The whole examination is recorded on continuous, unedited video.

Sandan 3rd Dan

Shōtō Keishōkai · Dan examination cheat sheet
Eligibility: Two years at Nidan. Age 18 or over.
SectionWhat is examinedPointsFloor
1. Kata and bunkaiFavorite kata (20, declare 14 days ahead) plus three bunkai (10)3018
2. KihonSeven combinations from free kamae, three repetitions each2012
3. Self-defenseTwo combinations against two different attacks159
4. KumiteJiyu ippon, five attacks, both sides and roles (15), plus one 2-minute round of jiyu kumite (10)2515
5. TeachingTeaching record if five or more years as instructor of record; otherwise a 10-minute demonstration106

Kihon From free kamae

  1. Kizami-zuki, jodan oi-zuki, chudan gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  2. Age-uke, soto-uke (same arm), gyaku-zuki, stepping back
  3. Uchi-uke back stance, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  4. Shuto-uke back stance, kizami mae-geri, nukite, stepping back
  5. Mae-geri, yoko-kekomi, mawashi-geri, each with gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  6. Ushiro-geri, stepping in
  7. Mae-geri, yoko-kekomi, ushiro-geri on the same leg, right and left

Key points

  • Bunkai: answer a "what if" from the board without stalling.
  • Teaching record: years and where; membership by grade; students graded with dates; other instructor qualifications.
All grades: Two voting examiners and an optional third seat. Each scores every section independently; the head examiner decides where there is no consensus. Pass: 70 or more of 100 and the floor (60%) in every section. A section below its floor fails the grading; one retest of that section within six months. Bands: Model 90 to 100%, Solid 70 to 89%, Faulty 50 to 69%, Not at standard below 50%. Order on the day: kata, kihon, self-defense, kumite. Kumite is last on purpose. Over 60: rest of 2 to 3 minutes between sections on request. The whole examination is recorded on continuous, unedited video.

Yondan 4th Dan

Shōtō Keishōkai · Dan examination cheat sheet
Eligibility: Four years at Sandan.
SectionWhat is examinedPointsFloor
1. Kata and bunkaiTokui kata (15, declare 14 days ahead) plus three bunkai (10)2515
2. KihonSeven combinations from free kamae, four repetitions each2012
3. Self-defenseTwo combinations; at least one traces to a movement in the tokui kata159
4. KumiteJiyu ippon, five attacks, both sides and roles (12), plus one 2-minute round of jiyu kumite (8)2012
5. TeachingTeaching record (five-year rule) or a 10-minute demonstration106
6. Contribution to the artPaper of 2,500 to 4,000 words, or a practical contribution presented in up to 10 minutes after the kumite106

Kihon From free kamae

  1. Kizami-zuki, sanbon renzuki, stepping in
  2. Age-uke, soto-uke (same arm), gyaku-zuki, stepping back
  3. Uchi-uke back stance, kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  4. Shuto-uke back stance, kizami mae-geri, nukite, stepping back
  5. Mae-geri, oi-zuki, gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  6. Kizami mawashi-geri, yoko-kekomi, gyaku-zuki, stepping in
  7. Mae-geri, yoko-kekomi, ushiro-geri on the same leg, right and left

Key points

  • Paper or practical contribution: accuracy and depth, originality, honesty about limits, clarity; a practical contribution must be usable by someone else.