Many self sponsered students freely admit that they do not have the natural aptitude as the "selected" sponsered students and will therefore will not do as well. They know it will take them longer to pass the exams, more hours etc. But they know it and get on with the job. They try just as hard, if not harder because of what is at stake. Sponsered students will always out perform the self sponsered if taken as a whole goup. They have been put through the "test" to pick out natural ability and apptitude. We are not all racing drivers, but the airline will of course pick out those with the talent for it.
But I have seen self sponsered students with an aptitude and ability that knocks the socks off the average sponsered student.
Don't for one minute think I'm saying ALL self sponsered have less ability. There will be a string of abuse at me if i did.
Just accept and be who you are. It helps when you dont kid yourself. If you get 100% or 76%, you have PASSED.
Good luck