| TENDEREST | Most vulnerable female, perhaps, failing to get a first in exam (9) |
| YELLOWFIN | React to pain, perhaps, failing to complete delicate catch |
| TURKEYHEN | Arrogant female perhaps and crucial male in turn (6,3) |
| SCRAPHEAP | A 'C' perhaps failing - refuse place? (9) |
| RUNNERSUP | Blues, perhaps, at university, who never get a first (7-2) |
| ASSEMBLED | Gathered adult son looked like failing to get on (9) |
| ETERNALLY | Always without, failing to get by (9) |
| ORDINAL | In exam clamour to get a first or second perhaps (7) |
| ALSORAN | One failing to get a place in annals, or annal (4-3) |
| SCRIBE | Copier, first character in school to cheat and first in exam (6) |
| MANIA | Insensate urge of a chap to get a first-class return (5) |
| CANAL | Is able to get a first lieutenant through a watercourse (5) |
| NOSES | Detects one's turning up to to get a first sniff (5) |
| OPENHANDED | Liberal failing to get a grip? (4-6) |
| NOTABLE | Prominent reason for failing to get a dinner reservation? (7) |
| FOURTH | Forward cried out loud, just failing to get a medal (6) |
| DIKDIK | Richards failing to get a double century because of this little beast from Africa (3-3) |
| COMINGFORTH | Emerging, but just failing to get a place, we hear (6,5) |
| ONTHEGO | March perhaps failing to start, say - none getting active (2,3,2) |
| LAPPS | Nomadic hunters failing to get a hearing |
