The following information explains how the SANSHANGONG grading structure works…

Gradings are held every FIVE MONTHS

From WHITE SASH to BLACK SASH takes AT LEAST five years

Here is an example of how a SSG student who practices under me gets from White Sash through to Black Sash:

Having  joined SSG in May 2010…

WHITE SASH GRADING: October 2010

RED SASH GRADING: May 2011

YELLOW SASH GRADING: October 2011

ORANGE SASH GRADING: May 2012

GREEN SASH GRADING: October 2012

BLUE SASH GRADING: May 2013

PURPLE SASH GRADING: October 2013

BROWN SASH GRADING: May 2014

BLACK SASH  FIRST LEVEL GRADING: May 2015 (one year after the BROWN SASH) however…

a student must be at least twenty years of age before he/she can grade to BLACK SASH FIRST LEVEL

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There are a number of different levels of the BLACK SASH. These can be attempted with lengthy intervals in between…

SECOND LEVEL  BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted TWO YEARS after having earnt the FIRST LEVEL BLACK SASH

THIRD LEVEL BLACK SASH – this can be attempted THREE YEARS after having earnt the SECOND LEVEL BLACK SASH

FOURTH LEVEL BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted FOUR YEARS after having earnt the THIRD LEVEL BLACK SASH

FIFTH LEVEL BLACK SASH – this can be attempted FIVE YEARS after having earnt the FOURTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH

SIXTH LEVEL BLACK SASH – thi scan be attempted SIX YEARS after having earnt the FIFTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH

SEVENTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted SEVEN YEARS after having earnt the SIXTH LEVEL BLACK SASH

EIGHTH LEVEL BLACK SASH (MASTER GRADE) – this can be attempted EIGHT YEARS after having earnt the SEVENTH LEVEL BLACK SASH

NINTH LEVEL BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted NINE YEARS after having earnt the EIGHTH LEVEL BLACK SASH

TENTH LEVEL BLACK SASH – this can be attempted TEN YEARS after having earnt the NINTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH

For each grading there is a fee with the exception of the First Level Black Sash. For this grading there is no fee! In the event of  a grading failure the candidate will have to wait for the next scheduled grading. Alternatively, he/she can re-take their grading two weeks after their failed attempt although the same grading fee will still apply. There will also be an additional fee for a private one-to-one lesson before the re-take.