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The word "total" is singular and takes a singular verb. That said, I don't know what you can follow that with and still have a meaningful sentence.
Does this mean that the sentence below is correct?
- A total of ten students is going to have a retake of the exam this coming Monday.
Or, it should be "are" instead. If this sentence uses "are", could you give me an example of a sentence that uses "total" and "is" in which "total" is the subject. Thanks.
Does this mean that the sentence below is correct?
- A total of ten students is going to have a retake of the exam this coming Monday.
...
Well, yes, but the opening phrase strikes me as dead wood - I'd prefer just 'ten students are...', or - if you want to emphasize the total - 'ten students altogether...'
Does this mean that the sentence below is correct?
- A total of ten students is going to have a retake of the exam this coming Monday.
Or, it should be "are" instead. If this sentence uses "are", could you give me an example of a sentence that uses "total" and "is" in which "total" is the subject. Thanks.
Yes, I would use a singular verb there. There are those, I assume, who would choose a plural verb because of "students", but that would be incorrect, IMO.
is "a total of" plural or singular? 
yes
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