So how much harder is it to the PPL? Is it around 15 hours?
Opinions differ obviously but the only difficult thing I found were NDB approaches, and then it depends how your particular aircraft is equiped. If it has an RMI it's not too bad, if it's a fixed card then it requires a lot of spatial awareness and mental maths guff while you're trying to fly the approach correctly. NDB holds aren't tested during the skills test but you'll no doubt do them. Not too bad in a slight wind but in a strong off axis wind they can be tricky. I keep hoping they'll do away with NDB approaches between one renewal and the next but haven't been lucky so far...
Took me around 18 hours I think with the test. It's knackering for the first few hours because you are continually maxed out but once things become second nature you can start thinking that you may just get the hang of it. Very intensive and very enjoyable.