Maybe we can get a statistic compiled of all students from last year and see what the 'average time' was for courses. It could perhaps also give an indication of pas/fail rates, etc.
I know that FTO couldn't resist cooking the figures especially when a competitor is doing a better job at than they are. It would no doubt prove most beneficial to the student otherwise all we have to go is an inadequate expectation based on what the salesman says and the odd 'past student or two'.
With so much potential money, time and resource to be invested by a customer why can't we get a better picture of what's likely.
There's no optimum or perfect scenario but lets try and move forward.