Someone who had substantial tkd experience(10 yrs) but took time off(5yrs) coming back and starting right where they let off? this was my exact situation. I appreciate my instructor immensely (not the same one, I actually used to train with this guy at someone else's studio) for letting me stay at my rank. I was a second degree before and in 7 months being back, I have solidified all previously learned material plus learned three new forms and 44 new sparring combos. I now just have juche left to learn before testing for third dan(and obviously more practicing). Most people would have looked at my time off and said I would need to start over, but my new instructor believed I could handle it.