Board Thread:Episode Discussions/@comment-1251315-20150219132354/@comment-1458758-20150222043151

BlueLantern1995 wrote: If I remember correctly they said because the exams weren't completed, people said no one should pass except for Shikamaru as he was the only one who showed enough qualities of a Chunin before it abruptly ended. Thus I have always assumed that if the exams had continued Sasuke, Naruto, and Neji would have definitely made it. I beg to differ good Sir... Or Madam. Neji and Naruto's fight concluded before everything went nuts, and yet Neji was not awarded any form of merit. Sasuke and Naruto 'might'have gotten to Chunin given more chance to display their skills (Presuming Sasuke had won his bout and the test continued as normal) but it seems unlikely, as despite both displaying great strategy and combat prowess in their fights, only Shikamaru seemingly displayed the qualities they were looking for, which I would assume to be a cool head (Something both lack) and a methodical approach to tactics (Something naruto lacks) and good time keeping skills (Sasuke screwed the pooch on this one).

All of which were displayed when Shikamaru calmly and carefully overcame Temari, even taking the time of day into account and how he could use that.