Just finished the test in BWI today. Not sure how I did yet, but for those of you planning on taking it in the future, I would not bother spending much time on the green test prep book. The actual test is so much different, it's almost more of a hindrance then a help. Maybe review the math portion a few times to get your mind accustomed to doing quick math in your head. Not all that difficult, but it would have been a lot nicer with some paper and a pencil.
Anyway, I'm curious as to what time frame I should be looking at to hear from them going this route as opposed to going through an ATCTI school. I've heard anything from 9 months to 1 1/2 years for an interview.