Yes I agree.
In this instance...
The Koubayashi Maru test touched on ethics in more ways than one IMO. It was a right of passage of sorts. It should have been something that upper-classmen didn’t discuss with those who hadn’t taken the test.
If someone knew going in that the test was merely a way to assess how someone handled certain failure, then their reaction to the test would be severely impacted, of no value at all.
Kirk’s foreknowledge of the test, rendered it of no value at all to those evaluating him. That alone shows a very poor ability on his part to assess something rationally that was integral to his receiving a commission.
In one of the ST episodes or movies, I think Spock refers to it when they're in one of those no-win situations. Then Kirk says I rigged the scenario.
I favor the do-what-you-have-to-do approach with a no-other-option-greater good safety net.
I thought within canon Koubayashi Maru was basically step last, you take the test, they decide from that whether or not you’re really cut out for command and one way or the other tomorrow is graduation day. So there wouldn’t necessarily be a lot of time for upper classmen to ruin it for lower. How Kirk found out is never explained, except it’s pretty well stated that he was a climber from the start and good at making connections.