Sorry airpolice for not replying - was away from pprune for a while and didn't see your post.
I know what you mean by runway length although there is a lot of disused runway at carlisle so it looks larger than it is! I'd no issues though - I'd previously soloed into Cumbernauld and been into Carlisle with my instructor. No problems. What was more interesting was going to a flyin in Northern Ireland (I was pax in rt hand seat) to a much narrower and bit shorter strip. Then I couldn't believe what we were going to land on!
About the pre test training, my club likes students to have a sort of practice test and refresher training so the test is really just a formality. They like you to do it with a different instructor who can try to get rid of any bad habits which your normal instructor has missed.
Seems like a good idea to me. Since its a club I'm not worried about them trying to skin me - just make me a better pilot so I'm all for it.