Exam for particular degree (1,5)
I believe the answer is:
a level
'exam' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'particular degree' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'degree' could be 'level' (synonyms) and 'level' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'a' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for a level that I've seen before include "Sixth-form exam" , "Top tier in UK schools" , "Stage beyond GCSE" , "School qualification" , "School examination in a single subject" .)