Pass first of exam papers that's written up (3)
I believe the answer is:
die
'pass' is the definition.
(as in passing away)
'first of exam papers that's written up' is the wordplay.
'first of exam' becomes 'e' (1st letter of 'exam').
'papers' becomes 'ID' (identification papers).
'that's written up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'e'+'id'='eid'
'eid' reversed gives 'DIE'.
(Other definitions for die that I've seen before include "A device used for casting metal" , "Cube with spots on the six faces" , "Cease to exist" , "One spotted" , "THIRD PART OF 24" .)