The rules change is not new. I made that change in about 2007 when I was at the NMC. The only change was the number of questions, not the content or passing grade. Ther was no reason to have a different exam for “lower level” licenses that for unlimited. 46 CFR Table 1.910-2 requires the same subjects for all, and every question in the database that could appear on one could also appear on the other.
I wasn’t aware of the rest of the changes. 46 CFR Table 11.910-2 clearly notes (with a footnote “7”) that some subjects required for 200 GRT are not required for 100 GRT.