I am a bit confused on the new exam. From Surviving Yucatan I find this quote:
The first change (reported from Jalisco) is that foreigner applicants over age 60(59?) from non-Spanish speaking countries, (like Canada, USA, Gr. Britain et al) will have to take both written & oral Spanish language exams to prove competency in Spanish.
… “If you are over 61 & from a Latin American country, you will not have to sit for any written tests. If you are over 61 & not of Latin American origin, you will not have to take the history-geography-culture-gastronomy written test. You will, however, have to sit for a written Spanish language exam regardless of your age. …”
It seems that Joe Johnstun did have to take the history-geography-culture-gastronomy written test.
I believe that congratulations are in order!