Each Padawan learner in the Star Wars universe needs to pass the Jedi Trials in order to take the next step as a Jedi. There are many different ranks in the Jedi Order that a young Force-wielder can attain. While each rank is unique and important to the Jedi, perhaps no role is harder to advance past than Padawan, which starts and ends with the Jedi Trials.

When a Force-user is discovered by the Order, they are considered a Jedi-Initiate. Once they officially join the Jedi Order, their title changes to “Youngling.” At this stage, students take classes as a group in the Coruscant Jedi Temple, honing their skills in the Force and combat. Shortly after building their own lightsaber, Younglings are paired with a Jedi Knight or Jedi Master to continue their training. This is usually the longest portion of training, as the Padawans travel across the galaxy with their masters, learning as they deal with threats and problems in the real world.

The Jedi Trials Are When A Padawan Becomes A Knight

For most Jedi, “Knight” is the highest rank they will reach

First mentioned in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, the Jedi Trials are a series of tests a Padawan takes to officially become a Jedi Knight. Most of the time, these Trials are conducted when a Padawan reaches young adulthood. Most importantly, the Padawan’s master and the Jedi Council decide if a young Jedi is ready for the Trials or not. The Trials can take many different forms, and can be conducted on Coruscant or elsewhere.

Should a Padawan pass the series of tests, they are promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight. At this time, they no longer travel with their masters, and they may even take a Padawan of their own. They are then given assignments across the galaxy as peacekeepers and problem-solvers. If a Padawan fails their Jedi Trials, they may choose to leave the Jedi Order, or they can stay with the Order as part of the Jedi Service Corps. With the JSC, they are not considered Knights and may not carry lightsabers, but can still assist the Order when needed.

The Jedi Master Chooses Their Padawan’s Trial

The High Council may also have some input

Once a Padawan is ready, their master will determine the nature of their Jedi Trials, often in collaboration with the Jedi High Council. The tests are usually unique to the Padawan, testing for the ability to overcome weaknesses and adhere to the Jedi code. There are five main Trials administered: Skill, Courage, Flesh, Spirit, and Insight.

In rare cases, the traditional Jedi Trials are forgone because a Padawan proves themselves worthy of Knighthood in other ways. For example, Ahsoka Tano was still a young Padawan when she was accused of bombing the Jedi Temple. Once acquitted, the Jedi Council offered her a place as a Jedi Knight, considering all that she went through equal to the Trials. She turned down the offer and left the Order, but this was still an alternative to the traditional test.

Anakin Became A Jedi Knight After Geonosis

As did many other Padawan learners

Much like his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker also passed the Jedi Trials in a non-traditional way. In Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, at just 19 years old, he fought in the Battle of Geonosis, the official start of the Clone Wars. While on Geonosis, he and his master Obi-Wan Kenobi also dueled the Sith apprentice Count Dooku, barely escaping with their lives. Due to Anakin’s bravery and skill during the conflict, the Council determined that Geonosis could be used as a replacement for the Trials. After returning to Coruscant, Anakin was officially granted the title of “Jedi Knight.”

But Anakin wasn’t the only one knighted in this way. Because of the Clone Wars, the Jedi transitioned from peacekeepers to soldiers and generals. They simply didn’t have enough Jedi Knights to handle every conflict across the galaxy. The Council rushed many Padawans through the Jedi Trials in order to deal with the war. The Padawans who survived Geonosis were the first to be knighted, but as the conflict raged on, more and more Padawans were forced through to Knighthood before they were ready.

Every Jedi Padawan dreams of becoming a Jedi Knight, and some even get to move up to Master or Grand Master after that – but the first step in Knighthood is passing the Jedi Trials. For most, the Trials are the hardest challenge they will ever face. For a select few, the Trials are skipped due to other successes. For all, the Jedi Trials are the true test of a Jedi in Star Wars.