Crossword Genius

Dimmest female in a tricky exam (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

faintest

'dimmest' is the definition.
('faint' can be a synonym of 'dim')

'female in a tricky exam' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'f' (common abbreviation).
'tricky' indicates an anagram.
'exam' becomes 'test' (synonyms).
'in'+'a'='ina'
'ina' with letters rearranged gives 'ain'.
'f'+'ain'+'test'='FAINTEST'

(Other definitions for faintest that I've seen before include "most dim" , "Most unenthusiastic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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