Spring exam official in the city? (7)

I believe the answer is:

mayoral

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'official in the city?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'spring exam' is the wordplay.
'spring' becomes 'may' (I've seen this before).
'exam' becomes 'oral' (spoken academic test).
'may'+'oral'='MAYORAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mayoral that I've seen before include "Dignitary's" , "Relating to town's elected head" , "for local official" , "for chief councillor?" , "Concerned with official" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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