Why do people who think they completely failed a test end up passing with flying colors?

Question

For example, I thought I failed my AP exam, but I got a 5. How does that work? I know it’s pretty widely known that, if you think you failed, you probably passed.

In: Other

Answer 1

Insecurity in knowledge and memory.

I also think it’s a mental defence tactic. Preparing for the worst so if it comes, we already prepared for the disappointment.