Fukumoto Shuji sensei (Kendo Hanshi 8-Dan, Managing Dir - AJKF and Vice Pres. - FIK) is very proud of the fact that he has passed all his gradings on the first attempt. His theory is that when you go for a grading (or general training), your skill level should be at the higher end of that grade level. That way, you'll always be ahead of the competition.