Ask to go before part of a test starts (10)
I believe the answer is:
beginnings
'starts' is the definition.
(I know this)
'ask to go before part of a test' is the wordplay.
'ask' becomes 'beg' (begging is a kind of asking).
'to go before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'part of a test' becomes 'innings' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'beg'+'innings'='BEGINNINGS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for beginnings that I've seen is " Starts".)