Exam format for a student not fine (4)
I believe the answer is:
oral
'exam format' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'for a student not fine' is the wordplay.
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'not' suggests deleting specific letters.
'fine' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'for'+'a'+'l'='foral'
'foral' with 'f' taken out is 'ORAL'.
(Other definitions for oral that I've seen before include "Of the voice" , "Exam using speech" , "By word of mouth, like some exams" , "Concerning the mouth" , "By word of mouth (4)" .)