output.txt

  initial before.
․initial after.
second before.
․calling second after.

test.js

// run with `mocha --bail test.js`

describe('Initial test', function() {
  before(function() { console.log('initial before.'); });

  describe('test will fail', function() {
    it('will fail', function() { throw new Error('failed'); });
  });

  after(function() {
    console.log('initial after.');
  });
});

describe('Second test', function() {
  before(function() { console.log('second before.'); });

  describe('second test does not matter', function() {
    it('this test should not run', function() {
      throw new Error('I do not matter');
    });
  });

  after(function() { console.log('calling second after.'); });
});