Is it true that there are no belt tests in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Question

Someone told me that in Jiu Jitsu there is no test for any belts. Instead of testing for a belt, you "become" that ranking when your instructor believes you have achieved it. I think this is the way martial arts should be. I've seen people do perfect katas for a whole month, then mess up during their belt test and fail. I've never thought this was fair.

Answer 1

this is true, you get your blue belt when you are consistently beating blue belts, you get your purple when you can consistently beat purples etc. when your instructor sees that your performance is at the level of the next belt they will give it to you

Answer 2

some places only promote during seminars which to me is the same as a test. You still pay the fee of the seminar, and still have to show your skills.

Answer 3

I was awarded my blue belt after taking second in a tournament the next week in class.  i had submitted three of my opponents and lost the final on points.  When I started there were no stripes and tests at my academy, today there is more structure and there are tests (free) to get each stripe.  you still don't get your blue belt (or another promotion) until you are ready acccording to your instructor.  The way its being done in the states now is probably different than 10 years ago.

Answer 4

it all depnds on the instructors.  i'm talking from a karate standpoint, not a BJJ one but the concept is the same,

i've had a few different karate instructors.  The first one only gave out belts in tests.  you pay for the test you either pass or fail and get your belts.

the next instructor mixed and mattched.  the first load of belts he did basd on your performance in class.  After class as over and just before we were finishing up to leave he would call up people who have gained their next belts.  

However when it got ot the higher belts he'd do grading tests normally in groups of 5 or 6.

Answer 5

almost every legit bjj school has a 4 belt curriculum...blue purple brown black.

if not...its probably a blend of other arts mixed with bjj. which is ok too.

Answer 6

It all depends on the instructor and school you train at.  The test isnt like Karate.  It more laid back.  Basically you demonstrate some positions and submissions and you spar with a black belt and he determines if your ready to move on.  I personally was just promoted.