Driving test - Minors/Faults?

I have recently had to switch driving instructors, and although I know each person has a different way of teaching, my new instructor has told me to do a couple of things differently which I'm a little worried about:

- When putting in at the side of the road I was aways told to indicate even if I cant see anyone, just incase someone is there and I miss them. My new instructor has said not to indicate if there isn't anyone there and if I do in my test then it would be a minor?

- Also, when putting away/just starting off I was always told to look over both shoulders (360 degrees), then have a last check of my blind stop before pulling away. My new instructor has said only to check my blind spot, as if I start looking all around the car it's just wasting time. But I don't want to get a minor (or even serious fault) for lack of observation!?

- I was always taught to sit at traffic lights with my hand brake on, in first gear with the clutch set to the bite ready to pull away once the handbrake is off. My new instructor has once or twice told me to go into neutral iif we're there for more than a minute or two. Is there a 'correct' way, and would I get penalised in my test for sitting in 1st and using my original method?

Could anyone shed a little light on these for me please, it would be much appreciated!

Thank you