Regarding the IMCR checkride, I would ask the examiner what his expectations are. Quite a few IMCR instructors (the better ones) will train down to IR minima. Also on the IMCR (not being JAA) you can have the same person as the instructor and the examiner.
I can confirm that the IMCR written exam (the one I did in 2002) the questions are written as per the recommendations i.e. 500/600ft or whatever so you have to just give them the answers they expect. This is poor form but who is to argue? It's just an exam.