Technopunk: "...In Richard Von Donk's Home study course, How often are you allowed to test for rank? Is there a certain "waiting" period, or can you test as often as you feel ready? "
I have the home study course materials (reference materials only, as I have access to plenty of quality dojo), and I'm looking through the manual . . .
I don't see any requirements for minimum time between rank, or for limits on how many times you can retry a rank. It seems like learning at your own pace is a selling point of the program. In the manual, it has average training times for each rank, but no required minimum.
Questions regarding RVD's HSC come up quite often, so maybe we can gather up all the questions and answers and compile them into a sticky post all about HSC's.
Here are some other facts about the RVD HSC that I can provide since I have the manual open in front of me:
Blackbelt Course Training Manual 5th ed., pg. 13
- Background and Overview -
"Training both inside and outside of the school is a fundamental necessity to training . . . Many techniques, . . . and exploration of applications are covered in training sessions. . . much of this skill is almost impossible to learn on one's own without guidance. You must continually seek training from a licensed Bujinkan instructor, . . . training in a crowded school is the best experience that you will ever have in a controlled situation. Books, and other sources of information . . . are of no use without a qualified instructor to guide you through constant practice sessions with many other students . . ."
The way the video testing is done, is you tape yourself performing the required techniques for the rank you're working on, mail the tape to a review panel with $40 and an application form, and wait for feedback. If you pass, you will be sent your rank certificate and a critique sheet with positive feedback concerning strengths and weaknesses. If you don't pass, you will receive feedback on how to improve, and a refund of $30 (or you may elect to have the ABD hold the $30 for when you do pass). $10 is not refundable as it goes to the review panel for their time. They will also keep your tape regardless if you pass or fail, so make a copy if you want one.
Testing for shodan (black belt) is only done in person, and it is also highly recommended to go in for review in person sometime around 4th kyu and again before 1st kyu.
Also required for shodan is the earning of at least five weapons specialist ratings. These can be learned at seminars, or through video testing - which would require additional purchase of weapons training videos, etc.
Some of the kyu ranks also require a book report. For example, 7th kyu requires a one page report on the concepts found in Hatsumi's "Essence of Ninjutsu." Oral reports are also required on topics such as features / qualities of various weapons, strategy, injury prevention, etc. I assume that a speech recorded at the end of a video testing tape would suffice. So demonstration of physical techniques is not enough, ABD also wants students to have good comprehension, writing, and public speaking skills, and I imagine that they can get a feel for someone's personality by reading their works or watching them speak.
