Crossword Genius

Hate getting low grades on exam (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

detest

'hate' is the definition.
(to detest is to hate or loathe)

'low grades on exam' is the wordplay.
'low grades' becomes 'de' (D and E are low academic grades).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'exam' becomes 'test' (synonyms).
'de'+'test'='DETEST'

'getting' is the link.

(Other definitions for detest that I've seen before include "Dislike intensely, think badly of" , "Dislike intensely, loathe" , "Abominate" , "Cordially dislike and loathe" , "Not like" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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