It's unusual not to find some areas of distance learning difficult. Make sure you are making full use of your distance learning school, you have paid for their support, call them. Several schools have internet forums for their students. If yours doesn't have one we (bristol) and Oxford have forums that are open to anyone. Most problems can be sorted out over the phone or on the forum.
Half the problem, usually, is uncertainty and underconfidence. If you can't do the progress tests get the school to help you, if you are passing the progress tests the chances are you'll be OK in the exam.
onehunga, I have to say your friend's story leaves me speechless. How is he going to cope on a type rating course?