Academy Student

Academy students (忍者学校性, Akademī-sei) make up the student body of the Ninja Academy, where they are trained and prepared for life as a shinobi. They are not an actual part of the shinobi force, as they are still in the process of mastering the very basics of the ninja lifestyle. However, they can be conscripted as part of the war potential in times of emergency.

Academy students spend their time honing the various skills they are required to have and undergoing various tests and exams to see how they progress. Besides ordinary school subjects such as history and mathematics, they are taught the basics of Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. They are taught what Genjutsu and its affects are, but are not taught how to perform it. This includes learning about Chakra and how to control it, tactics, hand seals, and several E-rank techniques, such as the Clone Technique and the Transformation Technique. They are also trained in working both individually and in teams.

Konohagakure
Eventually they are given a graduation test to see if they are ready to try and become Genin. Passing this test does not mean automatically grant them this title, as they need to pass a second test given by their Jōnin instructor, but they do receive a forehead protector. Those who fail either of these tests are sent back to the Academy. The requirements for graduating vary from village to village. In Konohagakure, the Academy students simply have to show their proficiency in a randomly selected E-rank technique.

Kirigakure
In Kirigakure, however, the test was a life-or-death battle at one time. A practice since changed, after Zabuza Momochi massacred an entire graduation class.