Examination always covers subject associated with specific country (8)
I believe the answer is:
national
'subject associated with specific country' is the definition.
'national' can be an answer for 'subject' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'associated with specific country' bit.
'examination always covers' is the wordplay.
'covers' indicates a hidden word (I've seen 'covering' mean this).
'NATIONAL' is hidden within 'examination always'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for national that I've seen before include "It's a Grand race at Aintree" , "See 17" , "Owned by the state" , "State-controlled" , "State-owned" .)