On the 'exams before flying' discussion, I had only done Air Law pre my solo and still hadn't done anything else before the land aways and cross country qualifier. With hindsight, I wish I had taken Nav and R/T practical before the QXC and land aways, it would have benefitted me greatly. Everything went ok (sort of) and I managed but, the confidence of knowing what to do instead of 'muddling' through would have been better. I have told our FI this too.