Took exam earlier - having made plans to pass (7)
I believe the answer is:
testate
'made plans to pass' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'took exam earlier' is the wordplay.
'took' becomes 'ate' (eating is a kind of taking).
'exam' becomes 'test' (synonyms).
'earlier' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ate' after 'test' is 'TESTATE'.
'having' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for testate that I've seen before include "Having left a legacy" , "Having made a legal will" , "Having left valid will at death" , "Having made a valid will" , "Having written a valid will" .)