Well I don't think the blame lies only with the school- the lack of 5000 foot ceilings necessary to practice engine out maneuvers, and the fact that I live outside of the US and can only train on my vacation time from work are factors that haven't helped the process. Still, I wonder what is wrong with me as I am still not done yet. I don't want to bad mouth my FBO as they helped me get through private in a timely manner, but since then my (excellent) instructor left and I have been passed off between four other CFIs.