Like some gases examiner tests partly (5)
I believe the answer is:
inert
'like some gases' is the definition.
(some gases are inert)
'examiner tests partly' is the wordplay.
'partly' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'INERT' is hidden within 'examiner tests'.
(Other definitions for inert that I've seen before include "Like e.g. xenon" , "Chem. non-reactive" , "Lifeless; apathetic" , "Not chemically reactive" , "Lifeless, sluggish" .)