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{{Update The '''''Kobayashi Maru'' scenario''' was an infamous no-win scenario that was part of the curriculum for command-track cadets at [[Starfleet Academy}}]] in the [[23rd century]].

:It was primarily used to assess a cadet''See [[Kobayashi Maru (disambiguation)]] for related links.''__NOTOC__[[Image:Kobayashi Maru scenario bridges discipline, character, command and decision-making capabilities when facing an impossible situation, as there is no one answer to the problem.jpg|thumb|The Kobayashi Maru simulator in 2285]]

In the scenario, a cadet was is placed in command of a [[starship]] on patrol near the [[Federation-Klingon Neutral Zone]]border. The starship would receive a [[distress signal]] from the "''[[USS Kobayashi Maru]]''", a civilian freighter that had been disabled in the zone after having struck a [["gravitic mine]]. " If the cadet chose to enter the [[neutral zone]] between the border, which would be in violation of treaties, the starship would be confronted by three [[Klingon]] {{ShipClass|K't'inga}} [[battle cruiser]]s. The test was considered a no-win scenario because it was impossible for the cadet to simultaneously save the ''Kobayashi Maru'', avoid a fight with the Klingons , ''and '' escape from the neutral zone with the starship intact. A cadet's choice of how to handle the rescue operation gave great insight into his or her command decision-making.

In the [[2250s]], [[James T. Kirk]] became the first (and only known) cadet to ever beat the no-win scenario. After taking the test and failing twice, Kirk took the test a third time after secretly reprogramming the computer to make it possible to win the scenario. Kirk was subsequently awarded a commendation for "original thinking" and later commented, wistfully, that his stunt "had the virtue of never having been tried." Kirk would later defend his "cheating" by arguing that he didn't believe in the no-win scenario. Ironically, Kirk also defended the test itself by suggesting, "How we face death is at least as important as how we face life."

The term "''Kobayashi Maru''" may be a slang term for any hopeless situation in the 23rd centuryIn [[2285]], at least in Starfleet culture. Leonard McCoy considered his and James T. Kirk's imprisonment on , then an [[Rura Pentheadmiral]] to be a "served as an Instructor at the Academy, and supervised many performances in the ''Kobayashi Maru''" and told Kirk as much, on their first night at the penal minescenario.

==Alternate Reality==[[File:Kobayashi Maru scenario, 2258.jpg|thumb|left|James T. Kirk during the The term "''Kobayashi Maru'' test.]]In an [[alternate reality]], the Kobayashi Maru test was programmed by {{alt|Spock}} between [[2254]] and [[2258]]. Its purpose was to cause the cadets to "experience fear may be sometimes be used as a slang term for any hopeless situation in the face of certain death" and learn to remain 23rd century, at least in control of themselves and their ship, despite that fear. In the simulation, [[Starfleet Command]] specifically orders the {{USS|Kobayashi Maru}} to be rescued from attacking [[Klingon warbird]]sculture.

  == See also = Fun Fact: ===* [[Bridge OfficerSpock]] once stated that he had never taken the '''Kobayashi Maru''' test, suggesting the test may have been introduced in the period between Spock's Academy training and Kirk's.  However, it is also possible that, as a [[science officer]] for much of his Starfleet career, Spock was not required to take the test.  It is also possible that Spock had a role in designing the ''Kobayashi Maru'' test; he may have never taken it himself precisely because he was the program's Testdesigner.     [[category:academy]][[category:intelligence]]