I think it's ofcourse good to learn the whole solo but it is not necessary. I myself try to learn always the whole solo, yes the boring parts too because it gives me the concept of how to make a great solo If you understand what I'm trying to say here.. :P
And yes, John Petrucci's Rock Discipline.. It rulez.
"If practise makes perfect, and no one is perfect, why practise? Duh.."