Michael wrote:
Sacramento FSDO recently told him that he is not allowed to begin a
checkride (i.e. do the oral) unless he believes there is a high
probability of finishing the entire exam.


What on earth is the point of that?


Well, a checkride is, after all, a flight.

No it's not a flight. It's a series of demonstrations both
oral and practical. The only "flight" element is the requirement
to plan one out to the range of the aircraft. The PTS otherwise
could do each required element in a different "flight."