If this is the case does anyone know
Yes - and unfortunately this will lead to the degradation of standards as people begin to use the easy examiners or those who don't take you far on routes meaning the other examiners then have to do the same just to make a living - all leading to a lowering of standards in the end - isn't capitalism great?
Will you be required to pass a 170A test first?
Yes, it'll probably be harder than the test now