Skill Level Examinations

Kendama players who wish to obtain an official grading must first pass a BKA examination, using a BKA-approved kendama. The skills required to pass the examination are listed on the tricks page. Successful entrants will be given an official certificate, and, if they are BKA forum members, listed in the register of players.

Entrants must pay the examination fee for the level that they wish to be tested up to:
Kyu:
- £2 / €2.50
Pre-Dan:
- £7 / €9
Dan:
- £14 / €19

This fee is to cover the examiner's time, and also helps to keep the BKA running and promoting kendama events. Unsuccessful entrants will be given a refund down to the level they achieve. e.g. A player who pays a Dan examination fee (£14) but who only achieves Pre-Dan will receive a refund of £7. (A minimum admin fee of £2/€2.50 always applies.)

These examinations may only be conducted in person, and under the invigilation of a BKA-certified examiner. Please contact your nearest examiner via the forum to ask about availability if you wish to take a grading. Current examiners are:

Void, Bristol, UK
Matt Nix, Barcelona, Spain
Sam Bradley, W. London, UK
Donald Grant, Fife, UK
MisterJumpshoe, N. Wales/Crete
Mirek Širina, Czech Republic
Philip Eldridge, Denmark
Raul Portales, Dublin, Ireland
Lars Burgstahler, Germany
Nabin Shakya, Benicarlo, Spain
Javi Ballester, Benicarlo, Spain
Benjamin Ferrando, Benicarlo, Spain
Hans Nickmans, Belgium
Marc Wibbels, Munich, Germany
Alexis Lee, Singapore
Ilin Iliev, Bulgaria
Stuart Barron, Kent UK
John McLean, Kent, UK
Paul Sayer, Glasgow, UK

If you do not live near an examiner, and are unable to travel to one, then simply "self-certify" yourself by running through the tables, doing the tricks as required. This will give you an idea of your approximate grade level. Please note, no certificates will be issued for self-certifications.

FAQ
Q. I don't have an examiner near me, please can I do a video grading?
A. Sorry, but no. The trouble with video (streamed or not) is there are so many subtleties that fail to come across - the depth perception is not there, and there is a limited viewpoint. Plus there is the potential lack of good image quality, lighting or streaming problems.... And time after time in live gradings we see very competent and highly skilled players suddenly feel the stress of a "live, for real" situation, and fall down at a lower level than they might have expected. So while video gradings might be a fun experience, in terms of replicating a face-to-face grading, it doesn't even come close.