Originally Posted by
hans brinker
If the instructor cleared him direct to the FAF, an maintain 2500' he would not have the option of descending until passing the FAF.
That's correct, but in line with your observation about poor quality simulated ATC from sim instructors, that would not be correct vectors for an approach. By ATC's procedures they are supposed to put you on an intercept for the intermediate course that will intercept a certain distance outside the faf, and less than some maximum intercept angle. At least by US ATC specs.