Local knowledge

It is said "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing"  It's dangerous because only having a little means it's incomplete.  (DON'T ASSUME what you don't know, to make your knowledge complete).  So, is it an advantage to know your area, and take your test there?

Yes and No.  Be careful not to think everyone in your area will behave the same as usual.  Some road users may be visiting, or lost, or on a diversion due to road works.  Shops may be temporarily closed, so no parked cars are blocking your lane today.  Schools may have organised a coach trip during the holidays when you didn't expect to see children.

Being on "home turf" will probably make you feel better.  But work with what you actually see, moment by moment, constantly re-prioritising it according to first principles.