Elite VCE score is optional (8)
I believe the answer is:
elective
'optional' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'elite vce score' is the wordplay.
'score' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'scored' mean this).
'elite'+'vce'='elitevce'
'elitevce' is an anagram of 'ELECTIVE'.
'is' is the link.
(Other definitions for elective that I've seen before include "(Of studies) chosen by the student" , "Choice" , "(Of medical procedures) not essential" , "Optional" , "description, of course" .)