The Traditional American Karate system of belt ranking includes white belt (beginner) then ten color belt (kyu grades) and ten black belt (dan grade) levels.  A split-kyu option is sometimes used  for yellow (10a) orange (9a) and purple (8a) belt levels.   Most students start at white belt and progress through the levels at their own pace.  It usually takes a person 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 months to progress from white belt to yellow belt.  The same with orange and purple belt.  Ranks blue belt and above entail more training time.  Those who hold rank through their training elsewhere, may request to X-Grade into the TAK system at a rank higher than white belt.  X-Grade determinations will be made on a case by case basis.