BJA Kata Certification.

Set by British Judo Association.

The kata examination every BJA dan grade promotion requires alongside the skills assessment, and the one part of a promotion that is examined on its own terms: one named kata for each grade, certified at Level 1 on the competitive pathway and Level 2 on the technical one. It need not be taken on the same day as the skills assessment, or in the same year.

Pass marks and requirements
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The pass marks are percentages: 60 per cent for Level 1 and 65 per cent for Level 2. Level 1 is an entry level pass, and a candidate who has prepared properly, including a relevant BJA kata course, should reach it. Level 2 may be taken six months after a Level 1 pass; going straight to Level 2 is exceptional and needs the evaluation of a Senior Kata Examiner or higher. A BJA Senior Examiner, Kata Examiner or Senior Kata Examiner may examine kata. Attending a course does not exempt anyone: an attendance certificate is not a pass, and from 1 January 2026 attendance certificates are no longer issued.

Promotion to Level 1: pass mark 60 of 100.
  kata-by-grade: The kata named for the grade being taken. Required on the competitive pathway.
  level-1: The correct techniques, in the correct order, with technical competence and the protocol that surrounds the kata.

Promotion to Level 2: pass mark 65 of 100.
  kata-by-grade: The kata named for the grade being taken. Required on the technical pathway.
  level-2: Everything Level 1 asks for, performed with the skill, timing and partnership a higher grade is expected to show.

The kata each grade requires
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One kata per grade, and only the one for the grade being taken: a candidate going for 4th Dan does not repeat the kata of the three grades below. The competitive pathway needs a Level 1 certificate in it, the technical pathway a Level 2.

Dan grades
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  1. 1st Dan - Nage-no-kata
       in this reference: Nage-no-kata, Kata
  2. 2nd Dan - Katame-no-kata
       in this reference: Katame-no-kata, Kata
  3. 3rd Dan - Ju-no-kata
       in this reference: Ju-no-kata, Kata
  4. 4th Dan - Kime-no-kata
       in this reference: Kime-no-kata, Kata
  5. 5th Dan - Kodokan Goshin-jutsu
       in this reference: Kodokan Goshin-jutsu, Kata

Beyond 5th Dan
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  1. 6th Dan - Koshiki-no-kata, at least BJA Level 1, in addition to the five kata above
       in this reference: Koshiki-no-kata, Kata

What Level 1 asks for
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A 60 per cent pass, and very much an entry level one.
  1. The correct techniques
  2. In the correct order
  3. With technical competence
  4. Including the "kata protocol" elements

What Level 2 asks for
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A 65 per cent pass, taken no sooner than six months after Level 1. The same kata again, with everything sharper.
  1. Skill in technique execution
  2. Timing and opportunity exploitation
  3. Smoothness and fluidity
  4. Coordination between tori and uke

The promotions that require this
--------------------------------
This form does not examine a grade; it is required alongside the one that
does. Each promotion below asks for its own part of it.
  1st Dan, Dan grades: Nage-no-kata
    https://wazabook.com/grades/bja-competitive-dan/1st-dan/
  2nd Dan, Dan grades: Katame-no-kata
    https://wazabook.com/grades/bja-competitive-dan/2nd-dan/
  3rd Dan, Dan grades: Ju-no-kata
    https://wazabook.com/grades/bja-competitive-dan/3rd-dan/
  4th Dan, Dan grades: Kime-no-kata
    https://wazabook.com/grades/bja-competitive-dan/4th-dan/
  5th Dan, Dan grades: Kodokan Goshin-jutsu
    https://wazabook.com/grades/bja-competitive-dan/5th-dan/
  6th Dan, Dan grades: Koshiki-no-kata, at least BJA Level 1, in addition to the five kata above
    https://wazabook.com/grades/bja-competitive-dan/6th-dan/

Transcribed from: Kata Requirements for Dan Gradings, read November 2025.

From Waza Book: https://wazabook.com/exams/bja-kata-certification/