落第

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 落第 is read as らくだい and is a noun and する verb for failing an exam or academic requirement.
• Basic usage: Failing an exam appears in 試験に落第する, while changing one’s method after one failure appears in 一度の落第を機に方法を変える.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An exam takes に
  • The exam or assessment failed is marked with に in 試験に落第する.
• Difference from 不合格
  • Unlike the broad word for not receiving a passing decision, this term strongly suggests academic failure in an exam or course.