cr0ft , all testing takes time, there are NO short cuts,
you will find ways of shortening the procedure, but to tell you would mean you might not fully understand the principles behind certain tests,
and, until you become conversant and you get to the stage where you 'know' what the result will(should) be before you actually test the circuit then you really need to be doing the whole kit and caboodle as they say.!
I think they be what your tutor was leaning towards, you will learn in your own time.