diff --git a/test/functional/pdo_sqlsrv/pdo_569_query_varcharmax.phpt b/test/functional/pdo_sqlsrv/pdo_569_query_varcharmax.phpt
index 671cbc26..0d361733 100644
--- a/test/functional/pdo_sqlsrv/pdo_569_query_varcharmax.phpt
+++ b/test/functional/pdo_sqlsrv/pdo_569_query_varcharmax.phpt
@@ -5,23 +5,32 @@ Verifies that the problem is no longer reproducible.
 --ENV--
 PHPT_EXEC=true
 --SKIPIF--
-<?php require('skipif_mid-refactor.inc'); ?>
+<?php 
+if (!extension_loaded("pdo") || !extension_loaded('pdo_sqlsrv')) {
+    die("PDO driver cannot be loaded; skipping test.\n");
+}
+
+require_once("MsSetup.inc");
+require_once("MsCommon_mid-refactor.inc");
+
+// This test requires to connect with the Always Encrypted feature
+// First check if the system is qualified to run this test
+$dsn = getDSN($server, null);
+$conn = new PDO($dsn, $uid, $pwd);
+if (! $conn) {
+    die("Error: could not connect during SKIPIF!");
+} 
+
+if (!isAEQualified($conn)) {
+    die("skip - AE feature not supported in the current environment.");
+}
+?>
 --FILE--
 <?php
 require_once("MsSetup.inc");
 require_once("MsCommon_mid-refactor.inc");
 
 try {
-    // This test requires to connect with the Always Encrypted feature
-    // First check if the system is qualified to run this test
-    $dsn = getDSN($server, null);
-    $conn = new PDO($dsn, $uid, $pwd);
-    if (!isAEQualified($conn)) {
-        echo "Done\n";
-        return;
-    }
-    unset($conn);
-
     // Now connect with ColumnEncryption enabled
     $connectionInfo = "ColumnEncryption = Enabled;";
     $conn = new PDO("sqlsrv:server = $server; database=$databaseName; $connectionInfo", $uid, $pwd);
diff --git a/test/functional/sqlsrv/srv_569_query_varcharmax.phpt b/test/functional/sqlsrv/srv_569_query_varcharmax.phpt
index 314ec54c..2496c6d9 100644
--- a/test/functional/sqlsrv/srv_569_query_varcharmax.phpt
+++ b/test/functional/sqlsrv/srv_569_query_varcharmax.phpt
@@ -5,7 +5,25 @@ Verifies that the problem is no longer reproducible.
 --ENV--
 PHPT_EXEC=true
 --SKIPIF--
-<?php require('skipif_versions_old.inc'); ?>
+<?php 
+if (! extension_loaded("sqlsrv")) {
+    die("skip extension not loaded");
+}
+
+require_once('MsCommon.inc');
+
+// This test requires to connect with the Always Encrypted feature
+// First check if the system is qualified to run this test
+$options = array("Database" => $database, "UID" => $userName, "PWD" => $userPassword);
+$conn = sqlsrv_connect($server, $options);
+if ($conn === false) {
+    die("Error: could not connect during SKIPIF!");
+}
+
+if (!AE\isQualified($conn)) {
+    die("skip - AE feature not supported in the current environment.");
+}
+?>
 --FILE--
 <?php
 
@@ -19,22 +37,8 @@ function verifyFetchError()
 
 require_once('MsCommon.inc');
 
-// This test requires to connect with the Always Encrypted feature
-// First check if the system is qualified to run this test
-$options = array("Database" => $database, "UID" => $userName, "PWD" => $userPassword);
-$conn = sqlsrv_connect($server, $options);
-if ($conn === false) {
-    fatalError("Failed to connect to $server.");
-}
-
-if (!AE\isQualified($conn)) {
-    echo "Done\n";
-    return;
-}
-sqlsrv_close($conn);
-
 // Now connect with ColumnEncryption enabled
-$connectionOptions = array_merge($options, array('ColumnEncryption' => 'Enabled'));
+$connectionOptions = array("Database" => $database, "UID" => $userName, "PWD" => $userPassword, 'ColumnEncryption' => 'Enabled');
 $conn = sqlsrv_connect($server, $connectionOptions);
 if ($conn === false) {
     fatalError("Failed to connect to $server.");