I don't buy the lowering standards argument. If anything, this is providing some kind of standardization for a process that lacks it. Before, any jackass could ask whatever question made his/her heart content. I remember hearing about questions regarding how one would properly employ the weapons on a specific ship in a given situation. Now, there's a bank of questions. Simple.
Either way, we've already spent too much time on a subject that is wholly irrelevant.
Having been a company training officer at USNA:
1. There was standardization. You needed an 80 or 85 to pass. Also, all required plebe knowledge was game. Questions could come from daily knowledge, pro-books, Reef Points, Jane's... and issued pro knowledge pub in a plebe's library. The plebes knew that well ahead of time.
2. Plebes were (at least mine were) REQUIRED to inform the upperclass that they were sitting on the board. It was than up to the upper class to give as little or as much gouge as he saw fit.
3. As far as how one would employ weapons on a ship, yes it is an open ended question. I actually asked that question. That question isn't meant to be a right/wrong answer. What most of us were looking for is that the plebe understood what the weapons and platforms missions/purposes were and understood which weapons were associated with which ship. I didn't care if a plebe would launch a Hornet before a S-3 or visa-versa, just as long he could justify it and understood the basics of what each jet could bring to the fight.
Here are the two questions I asked on all of my boards. The third question was based on what the plebe was thinking about for service selection.
What advantages do the Burke class DDGs have over the Spruance class DDs?
Your airwing has been tasked to strike a nuclear facility. What order to you launch the aircraft and why?
The first question is to make sure they understand differences in capabilities of US weapons systems and platforms. Has right/wrong answer.
The second is to see how they will apply the basic knowledge that they got from the pro-book and other pubs. Basically, take the info you have, make a plan, and justify it. Just don't bull shit me.
The third was to see if they had any knowledge of the community they wanted to be a part of.
And yes, if what the OP posted is the whole story, then to me, it represents a lowering of the standard.