You don’t have to go back that many years to find a time when the CAS releases exams “as soon as possible” and didn’t publish expected release dates.
This is a completely new process, with new uncertainties, taking place at a new time of year that wasn’t the time people volunteered for. I don’t think it’s that remarkable that they haven’t given you a date. I’m sure they COULD give a date, but then when they beat the date (and it’s likely they will beat the date they are certain they will hit) they’d hold the results for a few days to meet their promise. The results are already quite late in the cycle, and i believe the goal is ASAP.
It’s extremely material because quite a lot of the activities can’t begin until all the papers are graded.
Step 1, grade every paper twice (once each by two graders), was completed shortly after the last exam was given. But then they pick a preliminary passmark and a regrade band, and then they need to give graders time for the regrade (previously scheduled and in Vegas, but remote this year, and probably just “do it ASAP”). Then there is a bunch of analysis and meetings and such. Held among people who have other priorities and didn’t have a ton of time to schedule those meetings.
Yes, they charge much higher dues. And higher exam fees. And higher costs for syllabus material. And a lot more of their exam adminstration is done by employees rather than by volunteers. And they are a much larger group that has more resources even without charging more.