All:
After 2+ years of these stories, the only advice I have is this: Take the exam in person.
There's an old saying in business that applies here as well: If you want the goods, you must pay the tariff. Since PearsonVUE is mercurial about the rules, exam takers have but one option if they don't want to get the short end of the stick: Arrange to take the test at a testing center. Will it be inconvenient? Probably, but that is the tariff.
Harry