Third, while watching the students train, consider if its something you would enjoy doing. Enjoying the class is important to your staying in the martial arts. Also, if you have any health problems or recurring injuries, determine if the techniques practiced would be a health hazard to you. If you think the class might be for you, then after the class, talk to some of the students and the instructor. Ask the instructor about his training.
Schools tend to develop their own personalities.
Try to get a feel for the personality and see if you would fit in. Ask about school philosophy and ranking system. If you can get a black belt in less than three years, maybe the school doesn't have that much to offer in way of development and technique. Is the school orientation toward sport and competition, self defense or internal development. Go through this procedure with each of the schools in your area and then decide what school is best for you.