Measurement of quality

Quality is commonly measured in 3 stages:

1. Beginner
2. Intermediate
3. Advanced

Sifu Waller does not agree with this format. He regards it as being limited and inaccurate.

Does a student suddenly leap from intermediate-level to advanced?

The divide between these two levels of standard seems huge.

Surely there must be a period of development in-between these two levels?
A time to become seasoned, practiced, familiar?