Cynical, me? No way
Well, most of the dojos I know judge the students by their performance in the class, and of course finishing the minimum required hours. The test itself is just a formality. Some sort of a demonstration which gives the participants the rush of adrenaline needed from time to time, since there is no competition.
Unless the student does really really bad during the test, it is unlikely that he will fail.
Of course Shodan ++ tests are a different story, but still...
However, I have devised a way to deal with these undeserving students. I just train very very seriously and hardly when we are partnered together. Usually they will try to avoid me like pest in the future.
Cheers,
Edward