Board Thread:Episode Discussions/@comment-1251315-20150219132354/@comment-7292165-20150221213247

It takes more than winning to be promoted. Shikamaru won but lost and was promoted. Naruto won (with Kurama's support) but didn't get promoted. Its clear that winning isn't the prime way of being promoted. You have to show the skills of what a Chūnin is.