Upgrade assessment is not all that difficult, but it does seem to me that the process EK apparently uses, is, to put it quite frankly, well overdone.
In days gone by, another middle east airline, the largest at the time, had a much simpler procedure.
The First Officer concerned was assessed by three Captains, two line Captains, and one training Captain, for a month of line flying, with each.
Notes from these three Captains were compared by the respective fleet manager, and the concerned First Officer assigned to the training department to begin upgrade training.
Very straightforward, and concise.
I cannot recall but one who did not successfully pass the assessment/upgrade program, so it would seem to me that the program that I have outlined, was free from the bias that many times creeps into these programs, from a select few, who are, taken together, a large impediment to many First Officers, during the assessment process.
IE: too many cooks spoil the broth.
Advancing to Command is certainly a desirable outcome for most First Officers, but there is positively no reason to make the process into an Apollo moon mission.
In short, give the guy a break, and let him get on with the job.