GRADING SYLLABUS.
Coloured belt gradings consist of eight levels, one level of probationary black belt and Dan levels up to fourth Dan. Grading candidates may only be examined by a holder of 2nd Dan or above. A person conducting gradings may only grade up to one level below them. Where there is no higher rank to grade someone to a higher level (eg 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan) the grading may be conducted by two other 2nd Dans each setting a different test for the candidate and each allocating a mark out of 100%. To pass the candidate must obtain an average of over 80%. (All styles had to start somewhere and for someone to achieve a higher grade there must be someone higher, but in the beginning this would not have been the case.) All persons conducting gradings must be over the age of twenty one years. All grading fees shall be set at the same price, except for Probationary black belt and Dan gradings which at first Dan shall be set at the nominated price, plus the cost of the certificate and thereafter for each Dan grading the appropriate nominated fee shall be added to the cost of the examination and the certificate in accordance with the Dan level.

A student should be more concerned with obtaining knowledge and improving skill level, rather than the gaining of rank. Remember that grading candidates are not graded on physical skills alone, but that Dignity, Courtesy, Ethics, Manner, Terminology, Effort and Attendance are also taken into account. On note, as on the grading syllabus the minimum number of lessons required is exactly as stated the minimum, in some case for some people more shall be required, "you may ask why? the answer is quite simple not all people are the same, what we want from you is to achieve the best that you can be within the guide lines of the syllabus and hopefully your Instructor will push you to that limit.
Just referring to the two students and all this is quite hypothetical, both wanted to grade one did and one did not, both where informed of the objectives and goals or targets that where required of them for grading, Both had time spent with them covering these aspects. One attempted and tried and was not quite up to form, more homework was needed and perhaps more parental encouragement (pushing) the other from observational expressions received when told of the goals targets and objectives decided that this was beyond their reach, perhaps here more parental pushing was needed. But anyhow that parent once said to me you know so and so doesn't really push comes when they feel like it and I want push them. Anyhow if your averaged three classes a month over 3 to 4 months and then do the last minute push of one class once a week without any outside studies you can't expect to come up to form.

A person can come to class once a week and learn and providing they are practicing at home what they have learned week from week will come up to form for the examination every two months a bit like off campus studies, but this would be a very hard thing to achieve and it would take someone quite exceptional. Someone else attending regularly still has homework to be done.

A teacher/Instructor can set homework to be done in preparation for an exam, but come exam day if the student has not done the work required, then it is obvious that they will be ill prepared.

YOUR BELT
It is irrelevant of what belt level you are, Black belt or other, your grade and this applies to most organisations is  only valid in your own club, organisation and its national body. generally speaking it is not reconised by other styles outside of your own organisation. the only exception to this that applies is when one competes in a open tournament and clubs of different styles come together, they tend to recognise each others belt levels to make things fair and even.

To be a 1st Degree Black belt in one style does not make a person a black belt in another style and with most styles promotion after 1st Degree is awarded for knowledge, efforts and achievements  within ones own club, organisation  and National Body. A person cannot play football for one team and support another in the same league or to say this more clearly no person can serve two Masters, because the wishes of the two may differ this is the same within the Martial Arts. You cannot train within a Style, system and at the same time practice another Art. The principal; philosophies of the two may tend to differ in culture, custom and religious beliefs. Would you practice in a art that's primary beliefs where of Satanic belief? I hope not, if so you don't belong in this style.