Figures to interrupt a meal for an exam (7)

I believe the answer is:

medical

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'exam' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for medical that I've seen before include "Thorough health check" , "Of the science dealing with treatment of disease" , "Of the healing sciences" , "Fitness examination" , "Relating to treatment rather than surgery" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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