That gouge was OLD when I went through 4 years ago, imagine how it is now. Most of it has dates on it, or the copies I had. Study the book first, answer the ELOs, ask questions of your instructors. Go through the gouge for the "oh **** I forgot about that" factor. Make notecards or whatever you need to memorize the material. THEN make a study group, no more than 4, and go through the material and quiz each other. First asshole to start talking about a subject not at hand, kick his sorry ass out, they don't want to be a pilot enough to be wasting your time.
When taking the test, ASK QUESTIONS!! If you know A and C arent the answer, but just can't decide between B and D, then get the instructor off his butt at the front of the class to giving you some guidance. Who cares if it is a "fishing expedition" for the right answer?!?! As long as you have "bait on your hook" so to speak, the instructor is going to help you out. Some of those damn questions are of the "which of the following is the most correct"! Don't get tricked into writing down the incorrect answer, when in doubt ask! Also, don't mumble the question to the instructor, ask it in a clear voice, chances are there are at least a few other people that can benefit from it also.
My two cents.