The Chunin Exams are a series of trials in which Naruto's fledgling Shinobi have an opportunity to prove themselves to their superiors and distinguish their talents in order to advance in the ranks of ninja society. Though children may be their primary participants, they are unsafe; some who have attempted the exams have even lost their lives.
It begs the question, though: how would Avatar: The Last Airbender's cast fare in these circumstances? It's time to brave the Forest of Death and beyond, determining five Avatar characters who would pass the Chunin Exams and five who would remain Genin.
10 Fail: Ty Lee
Ty Lee would fail the Chunin Exams for a number of reasons. The most glaring is that she lacks mental conviction; this would be debilitating during the first written test, where she has no means of cheating convincingly nor the tenacity to see through the deception.
Her pressure point mastery and acrobatics would make her a valuable contender against enemies in the Forest of Death, but it is simply a watered-down version of Neji's 64 Palm technique. Given her inability to deflect attacks, she would not last long.
9 Pass: Bumi
Bumi's incredible physical strength and earthbending ability would render him a fantastic candidate in the exams. He has the tenacity and creativity to pass the written exams (or is simply unhinged enough not to understand what was going on), the mobility to navigate the Forest of Death and the many teams therein, and the brawn to defeat the tournament's toughest Shinobi.
Through pummeling his adversaries with uncompromising walls of earth, the only adversaries which might pose a challenge would be Gaara, Rock Lee, Naruto, and possibly Sasuke. The latter's Chidori would be able to smash through his defenses as he did with Gaara's, putting them on a level playing field.
8 Fail: Suki
Suki's training as a Kyoshi warrior is a tremendous asset and would help with many of the challenges she is bound to face. It would help her cheat through the written exams and survive the Forest of Death, especially if she is given a team to work with.
However, her palpable absence of bending renders her weaker than an average Shinobi in a competition among the exceptional. The only combatants she would have a possibility of defeating are Sakura and Ino, neither impressive enough for a passing grade.
7 Pass: Zuko
The sum of Prince Zuko's ability is more than merely his awe-inspiring firebending; he is a peerless swordsman, defeating many seasoned opponents with his twin blades. Accordingly, this allows him versatility against the enemies he is bound to face and the ability to deflect ninja tools and Ninjutsu rather than exclusively dodging them.
While the written exam might prove daunting, Uncle Iroh's wisdom would shine through the darkness, granting him the clarity he needs to persevere and thrive. The old general's teachings center him in perilous situations whether immediately dangerous or otherwise.
6 Fail: Katara
Katara has the tools to succeed. Between extracting water from the air around her to her horrifyingly effective use of bloodbending, one might assume there would be no stopping her in the exams.
Despite her incredible talents, she is not audacious enough to complete the challenges, whether it be the first written test or those of the Forest of Death. In the absence of bloodbending (which she refuses to use for its moral implications), Katara would not have the caliber to stop enemies like Dosu, Orochimaru, or even Naruto himself. Ultimately, her kindness is discouraged in the macabre world of Shinobi.
5 Pass: Toph
Unlike many of the other Avatar participants, Toph would not need to rely on determination to pass the written exam. She could determine what those around her were writing by the vibrations their pens were making against the table, utilizing her senses to their fullest potential.
Toph's proficient usage of earthbending works simultaneously as offense and defense, creating armor and devastating boulders alike. The only opponents of the exams who may prove difficult is Sasuke, Dosu, Zaku, Shino, and Rock Lee, all with the means of injuring her after potentially getting through her defenses.
4 Fail: Sokka
Sokka's tactical leadership skills and analysis would be enough to deliver him through the first two challenges, utilizing traps and cunning to retrieve his heaven and earth scrolls. However, Shikamaru is an equally (if not more) capable commander and one who can paralyze his opponents through Ninjutsu.
This gives Sokka a steep disadvantage, as Shikamaru himself was barely able to pass the Forest of Death and the tournament which followed. With only his boomerang and perhaps his space sword to win his battles, it's unlikely the Water Tribe warrior would be able to make it past the first scheduled round of individual fights. Also, based on how well he manipulated Wan Shi Tong, he likely would not be able to effectively cheat in the initial exam without getting caught.
3 Pass: Azula
Azula's exposure to Ozai and the brutal conditions of the Fire Nation would give her the cleverness to see through the written exam and the viciousness to scorch through the other two. Unconcerned with razing the forest to ashes, she and those under her command would be among the first to pass the second challenge.
The only issues she might encounter in the tournament itself would be against Rock Lee, Neji, and Hinata Hyuga. Their agility overshadows hers, and the two Hyuga clan members are able to deflect her flames until she exhausts herself.
2 Fail: Iroh
Should he will it, Uncle Iroh would succeed the Chunin Exams with little difficulty. His rugged mental endurance and general knowledge would be enough to overcome the first trial.
However, Iroh understands that he is near the end of his life and appreciates the importance of the exams to many of its participants. It's likely he would willingly relinquish his scroll to someone he felt needed it in the second phase of the tests with a disposition similar to his nephew's.
1 Pass: Aang
Aang's unwillingness to slay his enemies would put him at a disadvantage, though one he compensates for through the sheer ferocity with his variable bending abilities. He has conquered doubt and insecurity in the third season which prepares him for the written exam, and he would simply steal the scrolls of his opponents rather than fight them.
The tournament may prove difficult, but so long as he stays on his air sphere, and maintains his maneuvering and defensive tactics, few adversaries would be able to catch up with and defeat him.