Generic
I am really pleased you have picked up a lesson from this experience! If in doubt, GO AROUND! Here (RIXland) we really believe that an examination should be a continuation of the learning process and it is great news that you have picked up on this.
What I would emphasise is that the examiner at PPL level wants to see you make the SAFEST decission in all circumstances regardless of if this makes the rest of your flying look bad - this of course is the requirement for ALL test, just the demands on your flying skills will be greater at IR/CPL and PC levels.
My advice to you would be to keep a little voice in the back of your head - get this little dude to continually ask you "is this the safest course of action".
I was once on a check out in a brand new C172 with a PAX in the back. The owner passed me even though I was WAY too high all the way through my PFL. At about 500' I told him that I would now consider using sideslip if it were a real emergency but the PAX in the back was preventing me using it during this practice. When he de-briefed me he said he was happy to pass me because 1) I WOULD have been able to comfortably get in by using sideslip and 2) I had obviously read the AFM and was aware of the limitation of no slipping with PAX in the back, except for in emergencies.
The senior examiner here (my boss) told me of a case a long time ago. The candidate passed without even flying! The examiner had flown with the candidate on a previous flight and made his assessment then. On the day of the test flight the weather was on/just below minima. The candidate decided not to fly even though his rating was about to lapse. The examiner passed his PC based on the earlier flight and his good judgement in not dispatching at that time.
RIX