I've now got the whole thing down really efficiently.

• No one is allowed to try for a belt unless they have their own recorder with their name on it. It doesn't matter how many times I send letters home asking for names to be put on their recorders, this is the one thing that works.
• No one is allowed to try if they talk while someone else is being tested. I can now start the lesson with them all calm (but happy).
• No one can start learning the alto until they have their soprano black belt. This has helped me choose students for alto without them thinking I'm picking favourites.
• Everyone has a chance to play to me once a week on their own. No more cries of "Can I play it on my own? She did it last time, can I?"

I now know exactly how well my students can play! No more wondering when I have to write their reports! All scores are recorded in Excel for easy reference.