Hated performance taking exam (8)
I believe the answer is:
detested
'hated' is the definition.
('detested' can be a synonym of 'hated')
'performance taking exam' is the wordplay.
'performance' becomes 'deed' (I've seen this in other clues).
'taking' indicates putting letters inside.
'exam' becomes 'test' ('test' can be a synonym of 'exam').
'deed' going around 'test' is 'DETESTED'.
(Other definitions for detested that I've seen before include "not at all popular" , "Unpopular" , "Abhorred" , "Couldn't stand trial" , "Cordially loathed" .)