For the checkride, you have to estimate distance, heading and fuel burn, fairly quickly. Assume only head/tailwinds, and then only if significant. Read bearing off your chart. Circle if you can't do it quickly. If you know the destination, you can head in that direction. Most importantly, estimate. Avoid the E6-B while in flight unless it's going to make a difference. PTS is only five minutes -- very loose for winds. Getting the speed right is much more important.
Having said that, my checkride diversion went like this:
Q: Which direction is Napa?
A: That way [points], over Oakland.
Q: How far?
A: Just under 50 miles [I'd rejected a cross-country there a few days earlier, and knew this offhand].
Q: How long to get there?
A: At 100 knots at low altitude, 30 minutes.
Q: How much fuel?
A: This aircraft burns 10 GPH low altitude, full rich, so 5 gallons.
All this from memory. Took 30 seconds. Though I hadn't realized it was a diversion until after the second question (I thought I was being asked about general orientation).