Really.
If one core engine shut down because the tests were “too conservative” then the others should have as well.
This is just trying to save face “We meant to do that... The tests shut down because the engine was just too darn powerful. Can’t figure out why we got that core failure tho...”
Of course you are right.
Otherwise, NASA would have said the parameters will be set properly
and proceed to the Full 8 minute test early next week.
They didn’t say that.