I have only failed one class in my life. It was chemistry in High School. The very first test was only on equations done using a slide rule. I did try but at that point, couldn't figure out to use the slide rule correctly. I failed the test so badly (this test was weighted so heavily that it had a greater value than the semester final) that there was no numeric way for me to pass the grading period, semester, or year in chemistry. Guess what, I wasn't allowed to transfer out of the class even though it was only 3 weeks into the school year and the school admin. realized that I had already flunked the class for the year. No extra credit work was allowed on my part either. This did not enhance the learning experience for me.
The result of this was a wonderful hour to do my homework in other classes, read for pleasure, and my favorite, take tests in crayon. My favorite test was the one where I made the highest grade in class even after the teacher had taken 10 points off for taking it with crayons.
I used different colors for different questions. My tests were very colorful.