Declares in favour of exams (8)
I believe the answer is:
protests
'declares' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'in favour of exams' is the wordplay.
'in favour of' becomes 'pro' (being pro a particular cause).
'exams' becomes 'tests' ('test' can be a synonym of 'exam').
'pro'+'tests'='PROTESTS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for protests that I've seen before include "Public demonstrations to object to something" , "Raises objection" , "Expresses an objection" , "Complaints and objections" .)