drauk
I agree that holding is a bit of a grey area, but if you look at Southamptons VOR/DME Rwy 02 approach (which I have a 50/50 chance of getting on my IMC test) getting the hold right is an important part of getting the procedure right. Also, the test standards require you to "comply with ATC instructions" and when you book approach practice with Southampton you are told (quite reasonably) that they're always going to be busy with commercial traffic, training flights take second place and they will fit you in when they can - so be prepared to be asked to hold. Maybe a passing examiner can explain the situation better, but my understanding is that i've got to be able to hold when asked to (although not to IR standards) so i've been spending lots of time on RANT - and some in the air - getting things right
I guess I could go somewhere quieter, but if the weather turns rubbish Southampton is where i'd go so I may as well learn there.
And you're quite right - I meant that I'd have 295 set on the OBI and would be flying a heading of 295, but i'd be on the 115 radial.