Icarus,
"To be even a GP these days takes SIX YEARS at Uni.(no insult meant by even a GP)"
Bit worse than that, that gets you a degree. Next is residency, 1 year, 100hrs pw+ for not much more than the basic wage and then another year GP training.
Somewhat OT but the hours worked by residents (who will see you if you go to hospital) are alarming, Fri AM to Mon AM is common and maybe get some sleep during that time. Makes the worst infringements of CAO 48 seem minor.
On the general subject of the exams, I won't be doing the ATPL but have not found the rest difficult and consider that failure to pass any first up should make you look seriously at your preparation.