Crossword Genius

Certified examination having had daughter take it (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

attested

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'certified examination' is the definition.
'attested' can be an answer for 'certified' ('attest' can be a synonym of 'certify'). I am not certain of the 'examination' bit.

'had daughter take it' is the wordplay.
'had' becomes 'ate' (e.g. I had an ice cream).
'daughter' becomes 'd' (genealogical abbreviation).
'take' is an insertion indicator.
'it' becomes 'test' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ate'+'d'='ated'
'ated' placed around 'test' is 'ATTESTED'.

'having' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for attested that I've seen before include "Confirmed" , "Certified, vouched" , "Declared that something was true" , "Declared to be true or genuine" , "Provided evidence" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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