Don't like taking notes before the exam (6)
I believe the answer is:
detest
'don't like' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'notes before the exam' is the wordplay.
'notes' becomes 'de' (two musical notes).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'the exam' becomes 'test' (synonyms).
'de'+'test'='DETEST'
'taking' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for detest that I've seen before include "Abominate" , "Greatly hate" , "can't stand" , "Not like" , "'Loathe, abhor (6)'" .)