Hello Jared
I know WD pretty well, I mean those from 2009 on
I agree with you, I do the same
I have either a simpler approach, same board, same sticker or stamp on/for the spindle and obviously a matching head map or with more heads.
About close date, well I would say, yes, it is better but!! ... I have seen things "that you human beings" have never seen
But sometime these tests are good, I mean for that 5% that don't work