1st, 3rd and 5th dan are usually considered the 3 key ranks that one sits for on the way along the path of physical test. The common rule of thumb for time between Dan ranks is: The rank number you are going for determines how long you will be on that rank e.g. going for yondan means 4 years on sandan. 

3rd Dan - Recommendations for this high level rank: 

• Text book style karate – this level shows one has a solid path down the road of “Shu” of Shuhari .

• At least 10 years consistent training. 

• Instructor experience - should be able to guide and hold Shodans as students 

• Life experience – must be at least 21 year old given the maturity of life experience expected for the rank (based on recommendations from senior sensei panels of international note). 

• 3rd Dan theory exam must be completed. 

• Has a solid handle on terms, pronunciation, history, kata and karate lineage. 

• Capable of refereeing a kumite bout with appropriate terminology. 

• If under 40yrs of age, be as strong and fast physically as anyone in a dojo – but not possess the same experience as 4th, 5th Dan. 

• If under 40 has made the effort to continually compete in tournaments to gain the experience they offer. 

• A handful to deal with (partner work) for any instructor, regardless of their rank (in contrast, nidans are generally not a rank that a 4th and 5th danwould struggle to deal with in ippon kumite or kumite).  The application of fudoshin is a differentiator here for sandan.

• Have a solid handle on all the bunkai in their belt test kata (both "classical", and evidenced practiced when they differ). 

  • Side note for those testing in the lineage of Jason Armstrong Shihan: A person testing for sandan must also know the patterns to the following kata: Seinchin, Annanko, Matsukaze, Basai dai, Naifanchin, Sanchin, Gassho, Rohai, Seipai & Jion. Pinan sandan must be performed in the test and a least one of the above mentioned advanced kata where a level of "ura" in performance & knowledge exists. As a sandan you are now on the road to being a potential successor to pass on the art of karate. For this reason there is a big jump from nidan in terms of classical & evidenced-based bunkai needing to be known & also the the number of kata known, at least at an "omote" level (we only search for true ura/competence in a few kata to stay in line with Mabuni Kenwa's 1934 book statement, "Simply knowing a kata does not make one strong, knowing a few kata is better...If you specialize and study only a few kata, then you will be a serious Karate-jutsu student").

• A sandan sets the standard in the dojo technically, etiquette and attendance/support. 

However, select sensei sometimes consider more the time in consistent training and may override the above if someone has been unable to grade for political, or other reasons i.e. a catch-up like scenario (there are many examples of this from different leading sensei).