I see what you're saying, but maybe you underestimate the capabilities of those ab-initios - they are usually trained to fly their single and multi pistons like a jet right from the start, no idle descents steeper than 3°, checklist and SOP usage, just that they don't get help from the other seat. They can easily handle engine failures on conventional piston aircraft, in my opinion it only gets simpler on a jet. No prop to worry about and there is suddenly another guy to read the checklist for you
Obviously you can't expect them to have memorised the FCOM, but they shouldn't have problems reading off the QRH and performing those non-normals. The first session is going to be a shocker, obviously, a lot of new things to deal with, a much faster plane, lots of colourful lights and (comparatively) sluggish engine response, and suddenly depending on the competency of the other guy next to you. From personal experience though I can tell you that you can bring two reasonably eager cadets almost to skill test level within those five sessions
