Its called a "practical" test for a reason. You aren't expected to be perfect... but are expected to recognize if a bad situation (that would lead to you making a landing where bad things could happen) ahead of time, and either correcting or going around, even if he asked you for a short/soft landing at a certain point.. "...I see that we're not in a position to make the requested landing safely due to 'x'... I am initiating a go-around".
Recognize what could cause a bad landing and correct/adjust for it -- that is what the DE is looking for. A reasonable one (havent met one otherwise) will praise you for this and give you another shot at the maneuver..... now if you have tried 3 times and still cannot get it........