I gotta agreee with greaser on this one. If you don't know your stuff (in the FAA) practically, you AIN'T passing. Not to say the JAA stuff is easy, as the theory is very VERY detailed in bits (and I've had my lecturers tell me that "you won't need to know this later" to lots of JAA examined subjects) but for the FAA if you can't talk about your practical knowledge in the oral, you're not passing. FULLSTOP. And lets face it, when !!!!! hits the fan in the aircraft, I bet you your bottom dollar, you won't care about how the air-hosties toaster works, you're going to have to get that thing back on the ground SAFELY. So to say, IMHO practical experience is what makes a more 'confident' pilot.
Before anyone bashes me on this on please note I say this now I'M NOT DISSING THE JAA OR FAA, I only state my opinion, as I believe we should all have one.