The term 'END-OF-TERM HURDLE' refers to the academic challenges that students face at the end of a term. This includes exams and finals, which are two of the most important components of the end-of-term hurdle. An EXAM is a test given to assess a student's knowledge and understanding of a particular subject, while a FINAL is an assessment given at the end of a course to evaluate a student's overall performance in the class. Both exams and finals are essential for students to pass their courses and progress to the next level of their education.