We just had another successful testing ceremony and one of the students asked, "If testing is just seeing if we know things that we learned in class, why do we have a special day for it and why is it so hard?" And I thought that it was an insightful question that many others may have. Especially those who do not actively participate in testing for advancement.
Simply put, everyday is testing. Every class, every lesson, every technique, every day we wake up; we are being tested, and overcoming these tests is one of the best ways to recognize your knowledge especially after a difficult and stressful session. Everyone looks skilled/knowledgable when they are calm and collected, but in the instance you must make the conscious decision to defend yourself or loved ones, you will not be in your perfect peaceful state, and testing is a safe way to see how students will perform and retain their art under stress. Testing also allows students to showcase their skills to their peers and guests and reap the fruits of their labor.
Moreover, testing helps students achieve their goals through chunking, which involves setting smaller goals to accomplish a larger one, others may find motivation in their achievements, some need to have something tangible to represent their growth and accomplishments. By providing a structured framework for progress and development, testing helps students focus on specific goals and benchmarks, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment.