Yeah mate get'em done while your mind is still used to studying! I did my CPL exam (yup just one) back in '01, and i wish i had of just kept going. Mostly because if i had of done them then i wouldn't have to be doing them now! Having "real world" experience won't help you pass them, unless you worked as a flight planner on 727's, and have some working knowledge of the 767!
As for the Echo i heard that that was invented by the CASA. Just cause they're nice guys! I could be wrong though.
Cheers,
Greaser.