[BillA]

I guess I do not understand
if you are precluded from talking, why do you do so ?
novel testing ? no, don't think so

there are changes afoot that will affect all appraisals on this forum, and in good time they will be apparent (not my work BTW)
but the parametric/validation testing merely accommodates the DUT (where I am at)

in the meantime life continues
I still say you need some practical experience, this is indeed the role of employers (for those not doing their own thing)

good luck, but effort and skill trump luck