The word 'should' is not supposed to be used in AMC&GM; where EASA has done so in the past, they have subsequently corrected such an error. This ridiculous €urocracy then gives rise to daft statements such as 'the applicant should pass the Skill Test'. However, NAAs are expected to follow either the relevant AMC or an AltMoC submitted to the Agency.
Back to the recent amendment, Commission Regulation 245/2014 goes on to state:
(ii) When the applicant has prior instrument flight time under instruction other than specified in point (a)(i), these hours may be credited towards the required 40 hours up to a maximum of 15 hours.
AMC5 and AMC6 to Appendix 6 have now provided sufficient guidance to the CAA to enable them to formulate conversion requirements from the IR(R) to the C-bM IR.