This WAS a new student at this time last year! We just had a rotten summer, in fact in the summer this will be even more of a problem with more people wanting to fly and more x-countries to do. If you then get a grotty day it has even more of an effect.
Just because this IS the system doesn't mean it is RIGHT, and if it can be improved upon we should try and get it changed.Allowing the solo qual. xcountry after the skills test would give schools much more flexibility, which affects their profitability and YOUR job prospects.