I joined the RN after 30 hrs flying scholarship, then did a 10 hr "grading" (assessment) on the Chipmunk, before going to EFTS on the Bulldog, where I solo'd after 8 hrs. After 80 hrs I then went to rotary BFT and solo'd after 12 hours (about normal, as I recall). I don't think we'd have completed all the PPL(H) reqs. much before 40 hours (although that was not our objective), and we had the benefit of 80+ hours FW and the airmanship resulting.
So, I don't think many would pass to a realistic standard after 35 hrs, unless they were able to do the course almost every day and already had good airmanship gained from FW experience.