In the end, Lex's fourth test did not end like the rest. He did not walk out of the test after completing it, but rather, the testing site ejected Lex when he clearly possessed the ability to survive, but would not leave.
Seemingly, the test was pretty straightforward. One only needed to avoid the blast in the way Lex had, and burying yourself in the rock walls seemed like a solid idea. But the reality of the situation was far more complex than that.
This lava was far from ordinary, or rather it would be more accurate to say that the fire which resulted in this lava was unique. It could burn spirit energy directly, which was an almost unheard of ability at any but the highest levels.