Please excuse a question from an unqualified person, but I'm struggling with the basic concepts of this thread. If something is tested, against an established pass mark, and then fails that test, then it has failed to pass. The test can be re-taken, in the hope of meeting or exceeding the pass mark, but until the pass mark is achieved, it is not a pass: Surely, what shouldn't happen is that a negotiation takes place as to the validity of the pass mark, or a pass is awarded on the basis of a promise of future work and improvement?
Clearly I'm missing something - maybe my view is simplistic? I would appreciate clarification...