OK, I've read through previous threads regarding Ground School info., as well as the options and strategies articles.  I still have a couple of questions though.

It seemed to me that you had to have a certificate of ground school completion to get your student pilot license.  Do I have to take a formal ground school (either online, or in the class room)?  Or can I buy a study kit, study on my own, and go take the knowledge exam when I'm ready?

OK, I think I got it:    So I don't need to take a formal ground school.  I was thinking about signing up for the Gleim online school, but if I can just do the curriculum on my own, by buying one of their books or kits, I'd rather do that and save the money.

You do need a signoff for the knowledge tests.  The way to not "pay" an instructor is with the knowledge kits such as Gleim, King, Sporty's, Cessna, etc.  and take their test (either CD/DVD, VHS, of just a paper test).  Then you will send in your results to the specific school/publisher.  They will return the required signoff for the written exam.

Now, before you solo an aircraft, you must take a written exam that is model specific, before an instructor can give you signoff to solo that aircraft.

The only written test you do not need a signoff for is one of the instructor and ATP writtens.

Brian

P.S.  Several sites offer free online testing (which will be administered very similarly to your actual written exam), but do not give the signoff with these sites.  Just makes for VERY good practice.  MyWrittenExam.com is where I sent my students.  Many others have them by now, I am sure.