The procedures and forms to be examined overseas are here.

Information on how to apply to be examined for a Kendo, Iaido or Jodo Dan grade at a National Grading Exam conducted by the Australian Kendo Renmei. (Kyu exams are conducted by state affiliates).

Forthcoming AKR National Dan Exams

IAIDO

Saturday 27 September 2025

Venue: Annan Leisure Centre, 368 Welling Dr, Mount Annan NSW 2567 Australia

AKR Event page here.

Note: Grading is available up to 5 Dan.

To apply to be examined:  For use by AKR State affiliates and overseas FIK affiliates.

Forms and items that that you will need.

    1. AKR Dan Exam Application Form
    2. Grading Application Workbook
    3. Written exam questions PDF 
  • Members should apply direct to their club or dojo and use the AKR Grading Application form, completing all required fields.
    • Suggested closing date to clubs/dojo – 20 August 2025.
  • Affiliated State and overseas FIK Associations –
    • Clubs or dojo decide if applicants are approved and eligible, then compile all member details from their state or affiliated FIK organisation into one workbook and send that to their state or affiliated FIK organisation, according to the arrangements made within each state or affiliate.
    • Suggested local closing date to affiliated organisations – 27 August 2025.
    • Note that AKR clubs or dojo are to retain the AKR Application form for possible reference to later.
    • FIK affiliates only are to send a PDF of the fully completed AKR Application form in their application submission.
    • AKR State affiliates and FIK affiliated organisations – Email the completed workbook with a PDF of proof of payment to the relevant AKR bank account. Details are contained in the workbook. Closing date with the AKR is 5:00 pm on 3 September 2025.
    • Additional requirement for FIK affiliated organisations – Applications from foreign candidates are only accepted from their affiliated FIK organisations.  All applicants details from the one country must be included in only one application and payment

For members of FIK affiliates, you must also provide –

      1. A completed AKR Grading Application Form for each candidate
      2. A letter of approval from the President of the FIK affiliated body, providing permission for the person to attend the Examination. The letter must include the following information:
        • The members name;
        • That the candidate is a current financial member of that body;
        • When and where the candidate’s current grade was obtained;
        • A statement that the candidate has trained continuously for the required time.
        • If the overseas candidate current grade was awarded in Australia, no certificate is required.  However, if their current grade was awarded outside of Australia, then a copy of the current Grading Certificate must also be provided,

Overseas FIK affiliates, please pay the exam fees into the AKR paypal account. Details are contained in the workbook.

    • Closing date with the AKR is 5:00 pm on 3 September 2025.

Please note: Confirming the eligibility of applications, preparing the examination order and certificates will be managed in batches.  Therefore, no late applications will be considered.  Your co-operation will be appreciated.

AKR will confirm receipt to each state after the application closing date.

KENDO

Date: Tuesday 22 April 2025: AKR Kendo Dan Grading Examination, in conjunction with the 46th Australian Kendo Championships and Seminar.

Venue: Collegians Centre, Radford College. Address: 1 College Street, Bruce ACT 2617

Levels examined for will be Kendo 1st to 5th Dan.

To apply to be examined:  For use by AKR State affiliates and overseas FIK affiliates.

Forms and items that you will need.

    1. AKR Dan Exam Application Form
    2. Grading Application Workbook (behind “Delegate Resources“)
    3. Exam Questions and submission instructions, examples and template (updated).
  • Members should apply direct to their club or dojo and use the AKR Grading Application form, completing all required fields.
    • Suggested closing date to clubs/dojo – 7 March 2025.
  • Affiliated State and overseas FIK Associations –
    • Clubs or dojo decide if applicants are approved and eligible, then compile all member details  into one workbook and send that to their state or affliated FIK organisation, according to the arrangements made within each state or affiliate.
    • Suggested local closing date to affiliated organisations – 18 March 2025.
    • Note that AKR clubs or dojo are to retain the AKR Application form for possible reference to later.
    • FIK affiliates only are to send a PDF of the fully completed AKR Application form in their application submission.
    • AKR State affiliates and FIK affliated organisations – Email the completed workbook with a PDF of proof of payment to the relevant AKR bank account. Details are contained in the workbook. Closing date with the AKR is 5:00 pm on 23 March 2025.
    • Additional requirement for FIK affliated organisations – Applications from foreign candidates are only accepted from their affiliated FIK organisations.  All applicants details from the one country must be included in only one application and payment

For members of FIK affiliates only, you must also provide –

      1. A completed AKR Grading Application Form for each candidate
      2. A letter of approval from the President of the FIK affiliated body, providing permission for the person to attend the Examination. The letter must include the following information:
        • The members name;
        • That the candidate is a current financial member of that body;
        • When and where the candidate’s current grade was obtained;
        • A statement that the candidate has trained continuously for the required time.
        • If the overseas candidate current grade was awarded in Australia, no certificate is required.  However, if their current grade was awarded outside of Australia, then a copy of the current Grading Certificate must also be provided,

Overseas FIK affiliates, please pay the exam fees into the AKR paypal account. Details are contained in the workbook.

    • Closing date with the AKR is 5:00 pm on 23 March 2025.

Please note: Confirming the eligibility of applications, preparing the examination order and preperation of certificates will be managed in various batches.  Therefore, no late applications will be considered.  Your co-operation will be appreciated.

AKR will confirm receipt to each AKR and FIK affiliate after the AKR application closing date.

Standard Procedural Guidelines Dan Grading Examination, PDF. (January 2020)

AKR Dan Grading Examination Procedure Guideline 4th Edition.pdf (March 2023)

National Dan Grading Information Addendum. pdf (March 2023)

JODO

Saturday 12 April 2025

Venue: Margate Primary School Hall, Van Morely Rd, Margate TAS 7054. AKR Event page here and additional information here.

To apply to be examined:  For use by AKR State affiliates and overseas FIK affiliates.

Forms and items that that you will need.

    1. AKR Dan Exam Application Form
    2. Grading Application Workbook (behind “Delegate Resources“)
    3. Written exam questions PDF
  • Members should apply direct to their club or dojo and use the AKR Grading Application form, completing all required fields.
    • Suggested closing date to clubs/dojo – 6 March 2025.
  • Affiliated State and overseas FIK Associations –
    • Clubs or dojo decide if applicants are approved and eligible, then compile all member details from their state or affiliated FIK organisation into one workbook and send that to their state or affiliated FIK organisation, according to the arrangements made within each state or affiliate.
    • Suggested local closing date to affiliated organisations – 13 March 2025.
    • Note that AKR clubs or dojo are to retain the AKR Application form for possible reference to later.
    • FIK affiliates only are to send a PDF of the fully completed AKR Application form in their application submission.
    • AKR State affiliates and FIK affiliated organisations – Email the completed workbook with a PDF of proof of payment to the relevant AKR bank account. Details are contained in the workbook. Closing date with the AKR is 5:00 pm on 19 March 2025.
    • Additional requirement for FIK affiliated organisations – Applications from foreign candidates are only accepted from their affiliated FIK organisations.  All applicants details from the one country must be included in only one application and payment

For members of FIK affiliates, you must also provide –

      1. A completed AKR Grading Application Form for each candidate
      2. A letter of approval from the President of the FIK affiliated body, providing permission for the person to attend the Examination. The letter must include the following information:
        • The members name;
        • That the candidate is a current financial member of that body;
        • When and where the candidate’s current grade was obtained;
        • A statement that the candidate has trained continuously for the required time.
        • If the overseas candidate current grade was awarded in Australia, no certificate is required.  However, if their current grade was awarded outside of Australia, then a copy of the current Grading Certificate must also be provided,

Overseas FIK affiliates, please pay the exam fees into the AKR paypal account. Details are contained in the workbook.

    • Closing date with the AKR is 5:00 pm on 19 March 2025.

Please note: Confirming the eligibility of applications, preparing the examination order and certificates will be managed in batches.  Therefore, no late applications will be considered.  Your co-operation will be appreciated.

AKR will confirm receipt to each state after the application closing date.