What did Tom attempt to use as justification when he failed his exam?

Tom attempted to use the speed of his progress check as justification for failing his exam, which suggests he may have believed that the time taken during the assessment was a factor that affected his performance. Relying on the speed of a progress check indicates he may have felt rushed or that he did not have adequate time to fully demonstrate his knowledge and skills during the exam. This reasoning illustrates a common tendency among students to attribute poor performance to external factors, like time constraints, rather than focusing solely on their study habits or preparation.

The other options do not reflect his attempt at justification in this context. While past achievements may indicate overall capability, they do not serve as a reason for failing a specific exam. The difficulty of the exam itself could be a valid concern for some, but in this instance, Tom's focus was specifically on his experience during the progress check, not the exam’s inherent challenges. Lastly, referencing classmates' performance does not address his personal shortcomings; instead, it shifts focus to others, which is not relevant to the justification he chose. Thus, using the speed of his progress check highlights a specific aspect of his exam experience he believed contributed to his results.