Metasploit can be used once in the exam (though for one of my questions it was expressly forbidden)
nmap can be used - I used it with the nse scripts as well.
Using a metasploit payload is ok - you're not allowed to use getsystem though.

I quizzed the sales team as to when the V3 syllabus would be published and they said it'll hit the web site next week.

Absolutely. I've upgraded mid-course so I'll be getting my courseware on the 21st and I'm getting my new labs allocated on the 21st as well. Given there's additional focus on Buffer Overflows, Web Apps and modern operating systems I definitely see the benefit in upgrading.

If it's any issue, I've been warned that Core Impact won't be installed in the new Version 3 XP boxes, which implies it may have been dropped from the syllabus.