The yudansha board sits at joseki; sensei ni rei when appropriate. The candidate (tori) will be announced and invited to move to the center of the mat, facing shomen, by shikko (knee-walking); calmly sit in seiza. The board will invite uke to join the candidate by shikko; uke will move to the left of tori and sit slightly closer to shomen or farther from shomen, depending on the seniority of uke (senior students should sit closer to shomen).

The test begins with shomen ni rei, sensei ni rei, and aite ni rei. The board will instruct tori to perform technique; the technique will be issued in Japanese. The technique name includes the attack, the technique and the application. For example, a technique may be "katatedori kotegaishi omotewaza"; this translates to a one-hand grab, where tori performs the kotegaishi wrist twist, in front of uke. Tori should continue the technique until instructed to stop or perform another technique. Unless otherwise specified, uke and nage should reverse roles every four attacks.

Tori should follow the usual rules of etiquette during the test, and will be expected to be comfortable with them. Tori will also be expected to understand the names of techniques called to perform; tori may politely request to repeat the technique name or ask questions if clarification is required. During the test, you may stop the test in order to address personal issues such as bleeding, injury, light-headedness, hyperventilation, or other concerns. You should have your weapons available and readily accessible during the test.

Upon concluding the test, tori will return to sit comfortably facing shomen; uke will also conclude by returning to the left of tori, facing shomen. The observation of reigi will be performed in opposite with aite ni rei, sensei ni rei, and shomen ni rei. Both uke and tori should return to their position on the mat by shikko.

Emory Aikikai will observe your physical progress, as well as your developmental progress. ASU has placed strict time requirements on testing that Emory Aikikai observes without exception. These time requirements are available to view in a current copy of the ASU Handbook. Emory Aikikai will observe candidates on three basic levels:
1. The ability to perform required kihon-waza
2. The ability to perform appropriate nagare-waza
3. The ability to perform appropriate uke-waza

In addition to the testing requirements of ASU, candidates will be expected to display the following:
· Express knowledge of the history and vocabulary of aikido
· Express knowledge of the proper attitude, etiquette and behavior in aikido
· Expresses the appropriate proficiency in uke-waza