zˈiəɹoʊ wʌz ɐn aʊtɹˈaɪt fˈeɪlɪŋ ɡɹˈeɪd ðɛɹwˌʌz ɐ lˌɪmɪtˈeɪʃən ʌvðə nˈʌmbɚɹ ʌv nˈɑːn kəntˈɛmɛndəs ðɛɹ kʊd biː ɪn ɐ pˈæsɪŋ stˈuːdənts ɛɡzˌæmᵻnˈeɪʃən.
0 was an outright failing grade – there was a limitation of the number of non contemendus there could be in a passing student's examination.