Sim performance
Justinian,
It's always hard to know exactly how someone went in a sim based on their critique of their performance. I know of guys who have forgotton to raise or lower the gear etc, but have still got in. I think that they are looking for:
CRM (not single pilot ops)
you to strive for accuracy
solid selective radial scan
and probably looking at:
your personality
general approach to the sim
performance after errors
From what I've heard, the sim is fairly important. I paid for a practice, and I'd certainly do it again.
Good luck.