Students should always remember that gradings are a privilege, not a right. Just because you have been a member of a dojo for some time doesn't mean you will grade. The privilege to participate in a grading for any level is through dedicated, regular attendance and determined training. The instructor has the last say as to whether you may participate in a grading or not. Do not take it for granted. No one is that good.

It is mentioned that, Kyokushin karate has a belt grading system similar to other martial arts. The requirements of each level vary from country to country, some countries are far more strict and more demanding than others. For example, in Australia, the grading for each level requires the student to complete the entire requirements for each level. So the student attempting Shodan (first degree black belt) as an example, the students would have to do all the White Belt requirements, then Red Belt requirements, then Blue Belt requirements and so for. The sparring (kumite) requirements for Shodan usually ranges from 20-40 rounds, depending on the candiate.

The belt assigned to each student upon commencing training is a white belt. With each successful grading, the student is awarded a kyu rank, and either a stripe on their current belt or a new belt colour altogether. Grading, or promotion tests include Kihon (basics), Ido geiko (moving basics), Goshinjitsu (self defence), Sanbon and Ippon kumite (three and one step sparring), Kata (prescribed series of movements/forms) and Kumite (sparring). For Black Belt, Tameshiwari (Eg board breaking techniques).

On average, it takes usually an average of around 6 years to reach Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt). Some students (or depending on their instructors) can take longer to be well prepared. Here is a list of belts