Canterbury's engineering department says it can't lower its standards - after 80 percent of a class failed an exam

The competency quiz was introduced last year to the third-year structural dynamics class.

A group of students incensed by the failure rate wrote a letter to Stuff - alleging its the schools fault.

Acting Dean of Engineering Conan Fee says it helps students figure out what they need to learn.

He says when they fail, there are tutorials available and support to help them with the material.