@roger_hujin
The more important question IMHO is: after the exam, when I am allowed to take to the skies without either instructor or instructor’s permit, will it make me a worse/less skilled/unsafer pilot if I have had more dual hours before going solo?
According to all pertinent statements from competent pilots and instructors (as well as the personal experience of not-so-competent me): not in the least. Unless you have 200 hours instead of 20 without having soloed, just disregard it, the topic is really not worth more than a pissing contest.