Keith,
I concur that exam workups are a little removed from the real world but that has always been the way of the game.
Certainly the basic relations are essential for the initial IFR trainee .. makes for an easier transition to getting on top of letdown manoeuvring.
The use of the various graphical representations which one sees around the place makes it all far easier for the student .. certainly number crunching is not everybody's cup of tea.