Crossword Genius

Smiley perhaps one studies after English test (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

emoticon

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'smiley' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'one studies after english test' is the wordplay.
'one studies' becomes 'icon' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'test' becomes 'MOT' (MOT test).
'e'+'mot'='emot'
'icon' after 'emot' is 'EMOTICON'.

'perhaps' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for emoticon that I've seen before include "Screen symbol expressing feeling" , "Symbol in email or text message to show joy etc" , "Graphic way of conveying feeling in e-mails" , "Computer image showing feeling" , "Representation of a facial expression in electronic messages" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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