Without looking on a map, I reckon he got the reciprocal
.
Possibly, tho' don't think so, but too long ago now !
Singaporeans of Chinese ethnicity are VERY bright, I don't think he would have any doubt as to which way Australia lay, still, I agree, one can get disorientated trying to do a maths exam in a rattling steel cabinet, which is why one of my early instructors suggested mentally sitting on the tail and steering the model of the aeroplane across the chart.
Not a problem now, I only fly IFR - I Follow Roads.