Sadly I was not asked to set the radio, squark or altimeter on my check ride. Even doing a commercial LPC I have not been asked that I can recall.
What I do recall is the horror of being bombarded by ATC combined with novice map reading and inexperienced airmanship in the first 50 hours after qualifying.
Sadly the PPL syllabus merely teaches you how to fly the aircraft, not conduct a flight. That is why someone about to spend a lot of money needs to be individually assessed by an instructor as I have little doubt he will satisfy the CAA and get a ticket but then possibly realise he has wasted his money
Sorry if this sounds harsh but happy to advise if you wish