diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 46ebc759e6..b948fb1ca9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -84,12 +84,12 @@ jobs:
         uses: ansys/actions/branch-name-style@v7
 
 
-  commit-name:
+  pull-request-name:
     if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
-    name: Check the name of the commit
+    name: Check the name of the pull-request
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-      - name: Check commit name
+      - name: Check pull-request name
         uses: ansys/actions/commit-style@v7
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/doc/changelog.d/3427.added.md b/doc/changelog.d/3427.added.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ce52a9880d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/changelog.d/3427.added.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+perf: reduce-testing-time
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py
index 51f98937b8..349602c667 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py
@@ -1663,21 +1663,7 @@ def launch_mapdl(
             return
 
         if _debug_no_launch:
-            return pack_parameters(
-                port,
-                ip,
-                add_env_vars,
-                replace_env_vars,
-                cleanup_on_exit,
-                loglevel,
-                set_no_abort,
-                remove_temp_dir_on_exit,
-                log_apdl,
-                use_vtk,
-                start_parm,
-                start_instance,
-                version,
-            )  # type: ignore
+            return pack_parameters(locals())  # type: ignore
 
         mapdl = MapdlGrpc(
             ip=ip,
@@ -1821,21 +1807,7 @@ def launch_mapdl(
         elif mode == "grpc":
             if _debug_no_launch:
                 # Early exit, just for testing
-                return pack_parameters(
-                    port,
-                    ip,
-                    add_env_vars,
-                    replace_env_vars,
-                    cleanup_on_exit,
-                    loglevel,
-                    set_no_abort,
-                    remove_temp_dir_on_exit,
-                    log_apdl,
-                    use_vtk,
-                    start_parm,
-                    start_instance,
-                    version,
-                )  # type: ignore
+                return pack_parameters(locals())  # type: ignore
 
             port, actual_run_location, process = launch_grpc(
                 port=port,
@@ -2283,34 +2255,22 @@ def get_value(
     return exec_file, jobname, nproc, ram, additional_switches
 
 
-def pack_parameters(
-    port,
-    ip,
-    add_env_vars,
-    replace_env_vars,
-    cleanup_on_exit,
-    loglevel,
-    set_no_abort,
-    remove_temp_dir_on_exit,
-    log_apdl,
-    use_vtk,
-    start_parm,
-    start_instance,
-    version,
-):
+def pack_parameters(locals_var):
     # pack all the arguments in a dict for debugging purposes
+    # We prefer to explicitly output the desired output
     dict_ = {}
-    dict_["port"] = port
-    dict_["ip"] = ip
-    dict_["add_env_vars"] = add_env_vars
-    dict_["replace_env_vars"] = replace_env_vars
-    dict_["cleanup_on_exit"] = cleanup_on_exit
-    dict_["loglevel"] = loglevel
-    dict_["set_no_abort"] = set_no_abort
-    dict_["remove_temp_dir_on_exit"] = remove_temp_dir_on_exit
-    dict_["log_apdl"] = log_apdl
-    dict_["use_vtk"] = use_vtk
-    dict_["start_parm"] = start_parm
-    dict_["start_instance"] = start_instance
-    dict_["version"] = version
+    dict_["port"] = locals_var["port"]
+    dict_["ip"] = locals_var["ip"]
+    dict_["add_env_vars"] = locals_var["add_env_vars"]
+    dict_["replace_env_vars"] = locals_var["replace_env_vars"]
+    dict_["cleanup_on_exit"] = locals_var["cleanup_on_exit"]
+    dict_["loglevel"] = locals_var["loglevel"]
+    dict_["set_no_abort"] = locals_var["set_no_abort"]
+    dict_["remove_temp_dir_on_exit"] = locals_var["remove_temp_dir_on_exit"]
+    dict_["log_apdl"] = locals_var["log_apdl"]
+    dict_["use_vtk"] = locals_var["use_vtk"]
+    dict_["start_parm"] = locals_var["start_parm"]
+    dict_["start_instance"] = locals_var["start_instance"]
+    dict_["version"] = locals_var["version"]
+    dict_["additional_switches"] = locals_var["additional_switches"]
     return dict_
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py
index c11430d38d..76a300376c 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py
@@ -283,6 +283,7 @@ def __init__(
         self._start_parm: Dict[str, Any] = start_parm
         self._jobname: str = start_parm.get("jobname", "file")
         self._path: Union[str, pathlib.Path] = start_parm.get("run_location", None)
+        self._path_cache = None  # Cache
         self._print_com: bool = print_com  # print the command /COM input.
         self.check_parameter_names = start_parm.get("check_parameter_names", True)
 
@@ -510,10 +511,14 @@ def directory(self) -> str:
             # new line to fix path issue, see #416
             self._path = repr(self._path)[1:-1]
         else:  # pragma: no cover
-            raise IOError(
-                f"The directory returned by /INQUIRE is not valid ('{self._path}')."
-            )
+            if self._path_cache:
+                return self._path_cache
+            else:
+                raise IOError(
+                    f"The directory returned by /INQUIRE is not valid ('{self._path}')."
+                )
 
+        self._path_cache = self._path  # update
         return self._path
 
     @directory.setter
@@ -1895,7 +1900,13 @@ def _flush_stored(self):
         Overridden by gRPC.
 
         """
+        if not self._stored_commands:
+            self._log.debug("There is no commands to be flushed.")
+            self._store_commands = False
+            return
+
         self._log.debug("Flushing stored commands")
+
         rnd_str = random_string()
         tmp_out = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), f"tmp_{rnd_str}.out")
         self._stored_commands.insert(0, f"/OUTPUT, {tmp_out}")
@@ -1904,25 +1915,25 @@ def _flush_stored(self):
         if self._apdl_log:
             self._apdl_log.write(commands + "\n")
 
-            self._store_commands = False
-            self._stored_commands = []
+        self._store_commands = False
+        self._stored_commands = []
 
-            # write to a temporary input file
-            self._log.debug(
-                "Writing the following commands to a temporary " "apdl input file:\n%s",
-                commands,
-            )
+        # write to a temporary input file
+        self._log.debug(
+            "Writing the following commands to a temporary " "apdl input file:\n%s",
+            commands,
+        )
 
-            tmp_inp = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), f"tmp_{random_string()}.inp")
-            with open(tmp_inp, "w") as f:
-                f.writelines(commands)
+        tmp_inp = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), f"tmp_{random_string()}.inp")
+        with open(tmp_inp, "w") as f:
+            f.writelines(commands)
 
-            # interactive result
-            _ = self.input(tmp_inp, write_to_log=False)
+        # interactive result
+        _ = self.input(tmp_inp, write_to_log=False)
 
-            time.sleep(0.1)  # allow MAPDL to close the file
-            if os.path.isfile(tmp_out):
-                self._response = "\n" + open(tmp_out).read()
+        time.sleep(0.1)  # allow MAPDL to close the file
+        if os.path.isfile(tmp_out):
+            self._response = "\n" + open(tmp_out).read()
 
         if self._response is None:  # pragma: no cover
             self._log.warning("Unable to read response from flushed commands")
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_grpc.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_grpc.py
index 903622b609..632c38b80b 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_grpc.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_grpc.py
@@ -899,6 +899,7 @@ def _run_at_connect(self):
         with self.run_as_routine("POST26"):
             self.numvar(200, mute=True)
 
+        self.inquire("", "DIRECTORY")
         self.show(self._file_type_for_plots)
         self.version  # Caching version
         self.file_type_for_plots  # Setting /show,png and caching it.
@@ -1038,7 +1039,7 @@ def _threaded_heartbeat(self):
                 continue
 
     @protect_from(ValueError, "I/O operation on closed file.")
-    def exit(self, save=False, force=False):
+    def exit(self, save=False, force=False, **kwargs):
         """Exit MAPDL.
 
         Parameters
@@ -1069,8 +1070,6 @@ def exit(self, save=False, force=False):
         elif self._exited:
             # Already exited.
             return
-        else:
-            mapdl_path = self.directory
 
         if save:
             self._log.debug("Saving MAPDL database")
@@ -1094,17 +1093,21 @@ def exit(self, save=False, force=False):
         self._exiting = True
         self._log.debug("Exiting MAPDL")
 
-        if self._local:
-            self._cache_pids()  # Recache processes
+        if not kwargs.pop("fake_exit", False):
+            # This cannot should not be faked
+            if self._local:
+                mapdl_path = self.directory
+                self._cache_pids()  # Recache processes
 
-            if os.name == "nt":
+                if os.name == "nt":
+                    self._kill_server()
+                self._close_process()
+                self._remove_lock_file(mapdl_path)
+            else:
                 self._kill_server()
-            self._close_process()
-            self._remove_lock_file(mapdl_path)
-        else:
-            self._kill_server()
 
         self._exited = True
+        self._exiting = False
 
         if self._remote_instance:  # pragma: no cover
             # No cover: The CI is working with a single MAPDL instance
@@ -2031,6 +2034,11 @@ def _flush_stored(self):
         """Writes stored commands to an input file and runs the input
         file.  Used with non_interactive.
         """
+        if not self._stored_commands:
+            self._log.debug("There is no commands to be flushed.")
+            self._store_commands = False
+            return
+
         self._log.debug("Flushing stored commands")
 
         commands = "\n".join(self._stored_commands)
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py
index 28a74e2809..16b8c94159 100755
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ def __init__(
         self._n_instances = n_instances
 
         # Getting debug arguments
-        _debug_no_launch = kwargs.pop("_debug_no_launch", None)
+        _debug_no_launch = kwargs.get("_debug_no_launch", None)
 
         if run_location is None:
             run_location = create_temp_dir()
@@ -338,7 +338,6 @@ def __init__(
                 "exec_file": exec_file,
                 "n_instances": n_instances,
             }
-            return
 
         # Converting ip or hostname to ip
         self._ips = [socket.gethostbyname(each) for each in self._ips]
@@ -357,6 +356,11 @@ def __init__(
             )
             for i, (ip, port) in enumerate(zip(ips, ports))
         ]
+
+        # Early exit due to debugging
+        if _debug_no_launch:
+            return
+
         if wait:
             [thread.join() for thread in threads]
 
diff --git a/tests/test_launcher.py b/tests/test_launcher.py
index f497d9ca3e..5be0570c31 100644
--- a/tests/test_launcher.py
+++ b/tests/test_launcher.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 
 import os
 import tempfile
-from time import sleep
 import warnings
 
 import psutil
@@ -34,7 +33,6 @@
 from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import (
     DeprecationError,
     LicenseServerConnectionError,
-    MapdlDidNotStart,
     NotEnoughResources,
     PortAlreadyInUseByAnMAPDLInstance,
 )
@@ -184,75 +182,20 @@ def test_launch_console(version):
 
 @requires("local")
 @requires("nostudent")
-def test_license_type_keyword(mapdl):
-    checks = []
-    for license_name, license_description in LICENSES.items():
-        try:
-            mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
-                license_type=license_name,
-                start_timeout=start_timeout,
-                port=mapdl.port + 1,
-                additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
-            )
-
-            # Using first line to ensure not picking up other stuff.
-            checks.append(license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0])
-            mapdl_.exit()
-            del mapdl_
-            sleep(2)
-
-        except MapdlDidNotStart as e:
-            if "ANSYS license not available" in str(e):
-                continue
-            else:
-                raise e
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("license_name", LICENSES)
+def test_license_type_keyword_names(mapdl, license_name):
+    args = launch_mapdl(license_type=license_name, _debug_no_launch=True)
+    assert f"-p {license_name}" in args["additional_switches"]
 
-    assert any(checks)
-
-
-@requires("local")
-@requires("nostudent")
-def test_license_type_keyword_names(mapdl):
-    # This test might became a way to check available licenses, which is not the purpose.
-
-    successful_check = False
-    for license_name, license_description in LICENSES.items():
-        mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
-            license_type=license_name,
-            start_timeout=start_timeout,
-            port=mapdl.port + 1,
-            additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
-        )
-
-        # Using first line to ensure not picking up other stuff.
-        successful_check = (
-            license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0] or successful_check
-        )
-        assert license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0]
-        mapdl_.exit()
 
-    assert successful_check  # if at least one license is ok, this should be true.
-
-
-@requires("local")
-@requires("nostudent")
-def test_license_type_additional_switch(mapdl):
-    # This test might became a way to check available licenses, which is not the purpose.
-    successful_check = False
-    for license_name, license_description in LICENSES.items():
-        mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
-            additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES + " -p " + license_name,
-            start_timeout=start_timeout,
-            port=mapdl.port + 1,
-        )
-
-        # Using first line to ensure not picking up other stuff.
-        successful_check = (
-            license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0] or successful_check
-        )
-        mapdl_.exit()
-
-    assert successful_check  # if at least one license is ok, this should be true.
+# @requires("local")
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("license_name", LICENSES)
+def test_license_type_additional_switch(mapdl, license_name):
+    args = launch_mapdl(
+        additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES + " -p " + license_name,
+        _debug_no_launch=True,
+    )
+    assert f"-p {license_name}" in args["additional_switches"]
 
 
 @requires("ansys-tools-path")
@@ -447,7 +390,9 @@ def test_find_ansys(mapdl):
     assert find_ansys(version=version) is not None
 
     # Checking floats
-    assert find_ansys(version=22.2) is not None
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        find_ansys(version=22.2)
+
     assert find_ansys(version=mapdl.version) is not None
 
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
diff --git a/tests/test_mapdl.py b/tests/test_mapdl.py
index bebf02622e..1de6fe4958 100644
--- a/tests/test_mapdl.py
+++ b/tests/test_mapdl.py
@@ -1926,56 +1926,32 @@ def test_igesin_whitespace(mapdl, cleared, tmpdir):
     assert int(n_ent[0]) > 0
 
 
-@requires("local")
-@requires("nostudent")
-@pytest.mark.xfail(reason="Save on exit is broken.")
 def test_save_on_exit(mapdl, cleared):
-    mapdl2 = launch_mapdl(
-        license_server_check=False,
-        additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
-        port=PORT1,
-    )
-    mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] = "initial_value"
+    with mapdl.non_interactive:
+        mapdl.exit(save=True, fake_exit=True)
+        mapdl._exited = False  # avoiding set exited on the class.
 
-    db_name = mapdl2.jobname + ".db"
-    db_dir = mapdl2.directory
-    db_path = os.path.join(db_dir, db_name)
+        lines = "\n".join(mapdl._stored_commands.copy())
+        assert "SAVE" in lines.upper()
 
-    mapdl2.save(db_name)
-    assert os.path.exists(db_path)
+        mapdl._stored_commands = []  # resetting
+        mapdl.prep7()
 
-    mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] = "final_value"
-    mapdl2.exit(force=True)
+    mapdl.prep7()
 
-    mapdl2 = launch_mapdl(
-        license_server_check=False,
-        additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
-        port=PORT1,
-    )
-    mapdl2.resume(db_path)
-    if mapdl.version >= 24.2:
-        assert mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] == "initial_value"
-    else:
-        # This fails in earlier versions of MAPDL
-        assert mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] != "initial_value"
-        assert mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] == "final_value"
-
-    mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] = "new_initial_value"
-    db_name = mapdl2.jobname + ".db"  # reupdating db path
-    db_dir = mapdl2.directory
-    db_path = os.path.join(db_dir, db_name)
-    mapdl2.exit(save=True, force=True)
-
-    mapdl2 = launch_mapdl(
-        license_server_check=False,
-        additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
-        port=PORT1,
-    )
-    mapdl2.resume(db_path)
-    assert mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] == "new_initial_value"
 
-    # cleaning up
-    mapdl2.exit(force=True)
+def test_save_on_exit_not(mapdl, cleared):
+    with mapdl.non_interactive:
+        mapdl.exit(save=False, fake_exit=True)
+        mapdl._exited = False  # avoiding set exited on the class.
+
+        lines = "\n".join(mapdl._stored_commands.copy())
+        assert "SAVE" not in lines.upper()
+
+        mapdl._stored_commands = []  # resetting
+        mapdl.prep7()
+
+    mapdl.prep7()
 
 
 def test_input_strings_inside_non_interactive(mapdl, cleared):
@@ -2470,3 +2446,14 @@ def test_cleanup_loggers(mapdl):
     assert mapdl.logger is not None
     assert mapdl.logger.std_out_handler is None
     assert mapdl.logger.file_handler is None
+
+
+def test_no_flush_stored(mapdl):
+    assert not mapdl._store_commands
+    mapdl._store_commands = True
+    mapdl._stored_commands = []
+
+    mapdl._flush_stored()
+
+    assert not mapdl._store_commands
+    assert mapdl._stored_commands == []
diff --git a/tests/test_pool.py b/tests/test_pool.py
index 467b4e285b..4a17ed0fa0 100644
--- a/tests/test_pool.py
+++ b/tests/test_pool.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
-import socket
 import time
 
 import numpy as np
@@ -276,7 +275,6 @@ def test_directory_names_default_with_restart(self, pool):
             assert pool._names(i) in dirs_path_pool
             assert f"Instance_{i}" in dirs_path_pool
 
-    @requires("local")
     @skip_if_ignore_pool
     def test_directory_names_custom_string(self, tmpdir):
         pool = MapdlPool(
@@ -287,15 +285,12 @@ def test_directory_names_custom_string(self, tmpdir):
             names="my_instance",
             port=50056,
             additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
+            _debug_no_launch=True,
         )
-
         dirs_path_pool = os.listdir(pool._root_dir)
-        assert "my_instance_0" in dirs_path_pool
-        assert "my_instance_1" in dirs_path_pool
-
-        pool.exit(block=True)
+        time.sleep(2)
+        assert all(["my_instance" in each for each in dirs_path_pool])
 
-    @requires("local")
     @skip_if_ignore_pool
     def test_directory_names_function(self, tmpdir):
         def myfun(i):
@@ -313,6 +308,7 @@ def myfun(i):
             names=myfun,
             run_location=tmpdir,
             additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
+            _debug_no_launch=True,
         )
 
         dirs_path_pool = os.listdir(pool._root_dir)
@@ -334,16 +330,17 @@ def test_num_instances(self):
     @skip_if_ignore_pool
     @requires("local")
     def test_only_one_instance(self):
-        pool = MapdlPool(
+        pool_ = MapdlPool(
             1,
             exec_file=EXEC_FILE,
             nproc=NPROC,
             additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
+            _debug_no_launch=True,
         )
-        pool_sz = len(pool)
-        _ = pool.map(lambda mapdl: mapdl.prep7())
-        assert len(pool) == pool_sz
-        pool.exit()
+        args = pool_._debug_no_launch
+        pool_sz = len(pool_)
+        assert len(args["ips"]) == 1
+        assert len(args["ports"]) == 1
 
     def test_ip(self, monkeypatch):
         monkeypatch.delenv("PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE", raising=False)
@@ -417,8 +414,6 @@ def test_multiple_ips(self, monkeypatch):
 
         conf = MapdlPool(ip=ips, _debug_no_launch=True)._debug_no_launch
 
-        ips = [socket.gethostbyname(each) for each in ips]
-
         assert conf["ips"] == ips
         assert conf["ports"] == [50052 for i in range(len(ips))]
         assert conf["start_instance"] is False
@@ -786,9 +781,6 @@ def test_ip_port_n_instance(
                 n_instances=n_instances, ip=ip, port=port, _debug_no_launch=True
             )._debug_no_launch
 
-            if exp_ip:
-                exp_ip = [socket.gethostbyname(each) for each in exp_ip]
-
             assert conf["n_instances"] == exp_n_instances
             assert len(conf["ips"]) == exp_n_instances
             assert len(conf["ports"]) == exp_n_instances