I got my Novice ticket around 1955, then upgraded to Tech a year later. A Tech license that old (I kept it kept renewed) converted to a Tech Plus. Since they did away with the General Class code requirement, I believe I could convert the Tech Plus to a General.
I was active on 2m repeaters a couple of decades ago, but now I'm brushing up my code skills, because my SHTF plan includes a QRP CW rig, battery and longwire antenna in a bug-out ammo box.
Look at programs like Fldigi (free) it lets you with computer/laptop send and receive in a bunch of digital modes including cw
just type in message and send same on receive you read the test not code
some of the other digital modes are faster than cw
KD0OWE