Hates creating half-dead exams (7)
I believe the answer is:
detests
'hates' is the definition.
('detest' can be a synonym of 'hate')
'half-dead exams' is the wordplay.
'half' suggests halving the letters.
'exams' becomes 'tests' ('test' can be a synonym of 'exam').
'dead' halved is 'de'.
'de'+'tests'='DETESTS'
'creating' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for detests that I've seen before include "Abhors" , "Hates" , "Abominates" , "Cordially loathe" , "Loathes" .)