One can pass the FAA writtens using the computer practice CDs - much as JAA ATPL candidates do these days using the German JAA question bank (recently translated into English
)
The problem is that under FAA you actually have to understand the subject, to get through the oral and the flying itself. That's why I think watching the tapes is on balance worth doing. They also contain handy snippets on how the checkride is organised and what is expected - this is different from JAA.