'd be interested to know what specific 'pass/fail' criteria are in place for evaluating upset/unusual attitude recoveries where this check-ride was administered.
Also how was the upset condition entered?
From personal experience in the 737 simulator, it all depends on the personality of the simulator instructor/check pilot in the jump seat. Sometimes the instructor will ask the PNF to grab the controls and put the aircraft into any attitude he thinks fit. That could be a steep spiral at high power or a climbing turn with low power and some idiots even pull back one engine while putting the aircraft into an unusual attitude and throw in a speed brake actuation for good measure. It takes all types
The fact that the PNF might have absolutely no experience at putting the aircraft in a UA especially if he is a low hour pilot with no qualifications as a flying instructor, doesn't seem to faze some sim instructors one bit. The original aim of the test for UA recovery competency is the pilot does his best to recover safely and promptly in the right manner and direction.
On the other hand, the instructor might decide for various reasons occupy the PNF seat in the simulator and place the aircraft in what he thinks is an appropriate unusual attitude and then hands control to the pilot under training (or under test) leaving the PF to do the best he can under the circumstances. The result of all this is that there is no standard recommended way of setting the aircraft in an unusual attitude.
What needs to be understood by simulator instructors is that they must avoid ridiculous hurling the sim around the virtual sky in an attempt to bamboozle the student into making wrong recovery actions. On the other hand, calling a steep turn then pulling up or down to 20 degrees from the horizon is hardly a challenging UA. Certainly adding unlikely smart-arse scenarios like failing an engine or winding on rudder trim during the introduction to the UA by the instructor is doubtful "training" technique.