How is Japanese kendo graded?

the kendo stage originally had the first stage to the tenth stage, but after the reform, the examinations for the ninth and twelfth stages were cancelled and changed to honorary titles. The level below the level is the first level, and those with the first level can take the initial examination. The requirements for the level of kendo are quite strict, so you can't take the cross-level exam. For example, if you are in the initial stage, you can't take the third or higher exam directly, so you can only start from the second stage slowly. Moreover, one year after the initial stage, you can take the second stage, two years after the second stage, and three stages, and so on.