I suppose you are doing an IR-ME? If so I assume when starting on a single for IR is just to get the basic scan going and some tracking - the real exam you will do in the twin where you have HSI/slaved ADF (just like in the FNPT2). So in this case do not worry too much when flying the single.
Anyway I was taught a very simple method of QDM/QDR tracking. When tracking QDM (or going to the beacon) if the needle is right of your QDM turn right to get it back, if it is left of the intented QDM turn left to get it back. When tracking away from beacon (QDR) it is the opposite, you monitor the tail , and if it is right of the intented QDR turn left and vice versa. I hope this helped