Takes issue in favour of examinations (8)
I believe the answer is:
protests
'takes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'in favour of examinations' is the wordplay.
'in favour of' becomes 'pro' (being pro a particular cause).
'examinations' becomes 'tests' ('test' can be a synonym of 'examination').
'pro'+'tests'='PROTESTS'
'issue' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for protests that I've seen before include "Expresses an objection" , "Complaints and objections" , "Raises objection" , "Public demonstrations to object to something" .)