[crististm]

If I understand you correctly, the bad issue is tests by drilling for drilling sake. I agree with you but follow me on this:

Am I wrong to say that he as one person is in no position to change the process?

What I mean is that his choices are either to just go through the hoops and reject to the drills because they are not representative for his ability, or accept this testing but not stamp negative results on his quality as a person or developer.

In the end he is not defending the process too strongly; is seems to me that he simply wants a formula to navigate it.