Dog training ahead of test? It requires careful manipulation (8)
I believe the answer is:
puppetry
'it requires careful manipulation' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'dog training ahead of test?' is the wordplay.
'dog' becomes 'pup' (I've seen this in other clues).
'training' becomes 'PE' (Physical Education).
'ahead of' means one lot of letters go next to another (some letters go in front of others).
'test?' becomes 'try' ('try' can be a synonym of 'test').
'pup'+'pe'+'try'='PUPPETRY'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for puppetry that I've seen before include "Eg, use of marionettes" , "Art of small moving figures" , "The art of manipulating dolls" , "that may have strings attached" , "Unconvincing presentation" .)