When you fail an exam as my university, it automatically means that you are going to be capped to 40% on your re-sit, which means that even if you put a lot of effort into the second exam, you still don't have a lot to show for it.
I actually know of quite a few students who aimed specifically at getting just over 40% in their re-sit so that they 'wouldn't lose out with the capping', but I found that too risky. I aimed high and got a 2:1 in the re-sit, but that sting of the cap taught me the lesson of managing my time a lot more effectively in future for work, and it really paid off.
I started with everything a lot earlier and allocated more time for revision in the modules I struggled with, even using timetables and work schedules during exam and assignment periods. Ultimately, that strategy led me to a high 2:1, so I'm glad to have learned my lesson early and realise how important exams and assignments are." - Maria, Management & Strategy, Aston University.