Why are we talking about the MEF figures printed on a chart?
The safety altitude is 5nm either side of the planned track, which might give this student a lot more room to meet his examiners request than the MEF figure on the chart.
It's probably too late now, but if it was me I'd discuss the examiners requirement with them, explaining that I recognised that his request left a very small window, and increased the potential for an airspace bust. I'd ask if he could allow me to fly below MSA on this leg, bearing in mind where the obstacles are that are causing this high safety altitude, and explain that if that isn't acceptable, then I'm using my judgement to reduce that risk by planning a longer route which had a lower safety altitude.
I can't see how the examiner could be anything but impressed that you had thought about the issue, and recognised the risk, and come up with a plan to mitigate the risk.
dp