Do some gliding and go solo there first before you do powered flying, once you convert 3-4 flights and you'll be solo there anyway + gliding teaches you much better co-ordination and rudder control. As someone who has gone solo gliding and done a bit of powered flying I can assure you gliding is much more challenging!
Just as a side note, the current Chief of Air Force started gliding and is still involved in the QLD Air Force Cadet gliding scheme - I personally walked him to and from a glider in 2010 when I was there.
With regard to the first test on aircrew testing, its just instrument reading nothing to hard, just be quick and accurate
