Preparation

Description of the Tests

The FAA Knowledge Exam is an objective, multiple choice test. Each question can be answered by one of the three choices. Each test question is independent of the others—a correct response to one question does not depend on the correct response to another.

It is important to answer every question assigned on your FAA Knowledge Test. If in their ongoing review, the FAA decides a question has no correct answer, is no longer applicable, or is otherwise defective, your answer will be marked correct no matter which one you chose. However, you will not be given the automatic credit if you have not marked an answer. Unlike some other exams you may have taken, there is no penalty for guessing in this instance.

The FAA exams are “closed tests” which means the exact database of questions is not available to the public. The question and answer choices in this book are based on our extensive history and experience with the FAA testing and airman certification process. You might see similarly worded questions on your official FAA exam, or answer stems might be rearranged from the order you see in this book. Therefore, be sure to fully understand the intent of each question and corresponding answer while studying, rather than memorizing the A, B, C answer. You may be asked a question that has unfamiliar wording; studying and understanding the information in this book and the associated references will give you the tools to answer question variations with confidence.

FAA Knowledge Exams

A score of 70 percent must be attained to successfully pass your FAA Knowledge Exam. The tables below list the number of questions, minimum age requirement, and allotted time for each test.

ATP/FE Prepware

Test Code	Test Name	Questions	Age	Allotted Time (hours)
ADX	Aircraft Dispatcher	80	21	3.5
ARH	ATP - Helicopter (135) (Added Rating)	50	21	2.5
ATS	Airline Transport Pilot Single-engine	90	21	2.5
ATH	Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135)	80	21	3.0
ATM	Airline Transport Pilot Multi-engine	125	18	3.5
ACM	ATP Canadian Conversion, ME	60	23	2.5
ASC	ATP Canadian Conversion, SE	40	23	2.0
ACH	ATP Canadian Conversion, Helicopter	40	23	2.0
FEN	Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Basic)	80	19	3.0
FEP	Flight Engineer Turboprop (Added Rating)	50	19	2.0
FER	Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Added Rating)	50	19	2.0
FET	Flight Engineer Turboprop (Basic)	80	19	3.0
FEX	Flight Engineer Turbojet (Basic)	80	19	3.0

General, Airframe, and Powerplant Prepware

Test Code	Test Name	Questions	Age	Allotted Time (hours)
AMA	Aviation Mechanic Airframe	100	N/A	2.0
AMG	Aviation Mechanic General	60	N/A	2.0
AMP	Aviation Mechanic Powerplant	100	N/A	2.0

Commercial Pilot Prepware

Test Code	Test Name	Questions	Age	Allotted Time (hours)
CAX	Commercial Pilot Airplane	100	16	2.5
CBG	Commercial Pilot Balloon - Gas	60	16	2.5
CBH	Commercial Pilot Balloon - Hot Air	100	16	3.0
CCH	Commercial Pilot Helicopter - Canadian Conversion	40	18	2.0
CCP	Commercial Pilot Airplane - Canadian Conversion	40	18	2.0
CGX	Commercial Pilot Glider	100	16	3.0
CLA	Commercial Pilot Airship	100	16	3.0
CRG	Commercial Pilot Gyroplane	100	16	3.0
CRH	Commercial Pilot Helicopter	100	16	3.0
MCN	Military Competence Non-Category	50	18	2.0

Instructor Prepware

Test Code	Test Name	Questions	Age	Allotted Time (hours)
AFA	Flight Instructor Airplane (Added Rating)	25	16	1.0
AFG	Flight Instructor Glider (Added Rating)	25	16	1.0
AGI	Ground Instructor (Advanced)	100	16	2.5
BGI	Ground Instructor (Basic)	80	16	2.5
FIA	Flight Instructor Airplane	100	16	2.5
FIG	Flight Instructor Glider	100	16	2.5
FOI	Fundamentals of Instructing	50	16	1.5
FRG	Flight Instructor Gyroplane	100	16	2.5
FRH	Flight Instructor Helicopter	100	16	2.5
GFA	Flight Instructor Gyroplane (Added Rating)	25	16	1.0
HFA	Flight Instructor Helicopter (Added Rating)	25	16	1.0
MCI	Military Competency Instructor	125	16	3.0
SIA	Flight Instructor Sport Airplane	70	16	2.5
SIB	Flight Instructor Sport Balloon	70	16	2.5
SIG	Flight Instructor Sport Glider	70	16	2.5
SIL	Flight Instructor Sport Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)	70	16	2.5
SIP	Flight Instructor Sport Powered Parachute	70	16	2.5
SIW	Flight Instructor Sport Weight-Shift Control	70	16	2.5
SIY	Flight Instructor Sport Gyroplane	70	16	2.5

Instrument Prepware

Test Code	Test Name	Questions	Age	Allotted Time (hours)
AIF	Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (Added Rating)	20	16	1.0
FIH	Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter	50	16	2.5
FII	Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane	50	16	2.5
HIF	Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter (Added Rating)	20	16	1.0
ICH	Instrument Rating Helicopter Canadian Conversion	40	15	2.0
ICP	Instrument Rating Airplane Canadian Conversion	40	15	2.0
IEP	Instrument Rating Airplane EU Part-FCL Conversion	40	16	2.0
IFP	Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot	50	NA	2.5
IGI	Ground Instructor Instrument	50	16	2.5
IRA	Instrument Rating Airplane	60	15	2.0
IRH	Instrument Rating Helicopter	60	15	2.5

Private Pilot Prepware

Test Code	Test Name	Questions	Age	Allotted Time (hours)
PAR	Private Pilot Airplane	60	15	2.0
PAT	Private Pilot Airplane/Recreational Pilot Transition	30	15	1.5
PBG	Private Pilot Balloon - Gas	60	14	2.5
PBH	Private Pilot Balloon - Hot Air	60	14	2.5
PCH	Private Pilot Helicopter Canadian Conversion	40	16	2.0
PCP	Private Pilot Airplane Canadian Conversion	40	16	2.0
PEP	Private Pilot Airplane EU Part-FCL Conversion	40	16	2.0
PGL	Private Pilot Glider	60	14	2.5
PGT	Private Pilot Gyroplane/Recreational Pilot Transition	30	15	1.5
PHT	Private Pilot Helicopter/Recreational Pilot Transition	30	15	1.5
PLA	Private Pilot Airship	60	15	2.5
PPP	Private Pilot Powered Parachute	60	15	2.5
PRG	Private Pilot Gyroplane	60	15	2.5
PRH	Private Pilot Helicopter	60	15	2.5
PWS	Private Pilot Weight-Shift Control	60	15	2.5
RPA	Recreational Pilot Airplane	50	15	2.0
RPG	Recreational Pilot Gyroplane	50	15	2.0
RPH	Recreational Pilot Helicopter	50	15	2.0
SPG	Sport Pilot, Airplane	40	15	2.0
SPG	Sport Pilot, Lighter-Than-Air	40	15	2.0
SPG	Sport Pilot, Glider	40	15	2.0
SPG	Sport Pilot, Powered Parachute	40	15	2.0
SPG	Sport Pilot, Weight-Shift Control	40	15	2.0
SPG	Sport Pilot, Gyroplane	40	15	2.0

Remote Pilot Prepware

Test Code	Test Name	Questions	Age	Allotted Time (hours)
UAG	Unmanned Aircraft General - Small	60	14	2.0

Test Authorization—Instructor Endorsement

When you go to take your FAA Knowledge Exam, you will be required to show proper identification and have certification of your preparation for the examination, signed by an authorized Flight or Ground Instructor. Testing center personnel will not begin the test until your identification and authorization is verified. A limited number of tests do not require authorization. An endorsement from an authorized instructor is not required for the Remote Pilot, Military Competency, Flight Instructor, ATP, General, Airframe, and Powerplant exams (for these you will need to prove eligibility per 14 CFR Part 61 and 65 experience requirements). For all of the other FAA Knowledge Exams, you will need to have authorization to take the test.

Acceptable forms of authorization:

A certificate of graduation or a statement of accomplishment certifying the satisfactory completion of the ground school portion of a course from a Part 141 pilot or Part 147 mechanic school.
A certificate of graduation or a statement of accomplishment certifying thesatisfactory completion of the ground school portion of a course from an agency such as a high school, college, adult education program, U.S. Armed Force, ROTC Flight Training School, or Civil Air Patrol.
A written statement or logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that you have accomplished a ground-training or home-study course required for the rating sought and you are prepared for the knowledge test.
Failed Airman Knowledge Test Report, passing Airman Knowledge Test Report, or expired Airman Knowledge Test Report (pass or fail), provided that you still have the original Airman Knowledge Test Report in your possession.

Retesting Procedures

Applicants retesting after failure are required to submit the applicable score report indicating failure, along with an endorsement (on the test report) from an authorized instructor who gave the applicant the additional training, and certifying the applicant is competent to pass the test. The original failed test report (with retest endorsement) presented as authorization must be retained by the proctor and attached to the applicable sign-in/sign-out log. The latest test taken will reflect the official score.
The latest test taken will reflect the official score. Applicants are required to submit the original applicable score report indicating previous passing score to the testing center prior to testing. Testing center personnel must collect and destroy this report prior to issuing the new test report.

Note: The FAA does not require a “wait period” before resting (either for a higher score or after failure). However, the testing centers require a “wait period” of 24 hours before the applicant may retest.

Process for Taking a Knowledge Test

The FAA testing provider authorizes hundreds of test center locations that offer a full range of airman knowledge tests. For information on authorized testing centers and to register for the knowledge test, visit https://faa.psiexams.com/faa/login.

When you contact a knowledge testing center, be prepared to select a test date and make payment. You may register for test(s) several weeks in advance online or by phone, and you may cancel in accordance with the testing center’s cancellation policy. Regardless of your registration method, you will need an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) prior to registering for the FAA Airman Knowledge Test. This FTN will follow you throughout your aviation career. You will obtain your FTN as part of the test registration process, by creating a profile in the Integrated Airman Certificate and Rating Application (IACRA) system at https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA. This FTN will be printed on your Airman Knowledge Test Report.

Be sure to have the proper identification and test authorization (endorsement) with you on your test day.

Prior to launching the actual test, the testing software will provide you with an opportunity to practice navigating through the test. This practice (or tutorial) session may include a "sample" question(s). These sample questions have no relation to the content of the test, but are meant to familiarize you with the look, feel, and function of the system screens, including selecting an answer, marking a question for later review, time remaining for the test, and other features of the testing software.

Upon completion of the knowledge test, you will receive your Airman Knowledge Test Report which reflects your score.

The Airman Knowledge Test Report lists the learning statement codes for questions answered incorrectly. The total number of Learning Statement Codes (LSC) or Airman Certification Standards (ACS) codes shown on the Airman Knowledge Test Report is not necessarily an indication of the total number of questions answered incorrectly. Study these knowledge areas to improve your understanding of the subject matter. Use Tools/QuizMaker to build a quiz consisting of the LSCs and/or ACS codes from your Airman Knowledge Test Report.

Your instructor is required to provide instruction on each of the knowledge areas listed on your Airman Knowledge Test Report and to complete an endorsement of this instruction. The Airman Knowledge Test Report must be presented to the examiner prior to taking the practical test. During the oral portion of the practical test, the examiner is required to evaluate the noted areas of deficiency. This does not apply to Remote Pilot applicants.

Visit https://faa.psiexams.com to request a duplicate or replacement AKTR due to loss or destruction.

Acceptable Materials

The applicant may use test aids and materials within the guidelines listed below during the test, if actual test questions or answers are not revealed.

Acceptable Materials	Unacceptable Materials	Notes
Supplement book provided by proctor.	Written materials that are handwritten, printed, or electronic.	Testing centers may provide calculators and/or deny the use of personal calculators.
All models of aviation-oriented calculators or small electronic calculators that perform only arithmetic functions.	Electronic calculators incorporating permanent or continuous type memory circuits without erasure capability.	Test proctor may prohibit the use of your calculator if he or she is unable to determine the calculator’s erasure capability.
Calculators with simple programmable memories, which allow addition to, subtraction from, or retrieval of one number from the memory; or simple functions, such as square root and percentages.	Magnetic cards, magnetic tapes, modules, computer chips, or any other device upon which pre-written programs or information related to the test can be stored and retrieved.	Printouts of data must be surrendered at the completion of the test if the calculator incorporates this design feature.
Scales, straight-edges, protractors, plotters, navigation computers, blank log sheets, holding pattern entry aids, and electronic or mechanical calculators that are directly related to the test.	Dictionaries.	Before, and upon completion of the test, while in the presence of the test proctor, actuate the ON/OFF switch or RESET button, and perform any other function that ensures erasure of any data stored in memory circuits.
Manufacturer’s permanently inscribed instructions on the front and back of such aids, such as formulas, conversions, regulations, signals, weather data, holding pattern diagrams, frequencies, weight and balance formulas, and ATC procedures.	Any booklet or manual containing instructions related to use of test aids.	Test proctor makes the final determination regarding aids, reference materials, and test materials.

Testing Procedures for Applicants Requesting Special Accommodations

If you are an applicant with a learning or reading disability, you may request approval from the local FAA office to take an airman knowledge test, using the special accommodations procedures outlined in the most current version of FAA Order 8080.6 Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests.

Prior to approval of any option, the FAA Aviation Safety Inspector must advise you of the regulatory certification requirement of being able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Cheating or Other Unauthorized Conduct

Computer testing centers must follow strict security procedures to avoid test compromise. These procedures are established by the FAA and are covered in FAA Order 8080.6 Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests. The FAA has directed testing centers to terminate a test at any time a test proctor suspects a cheating incident has occurred. An FAA investigation will then be conducted. If the investigation determines that cheating or unauthorized conduct has occurred, then any airman certificate or rating that you hold may be revoked, and you will be prohibited for one year from applying for or taking any test for a certificate or rating under 14 CFR Part 61.

Validity of Airman Knowledge Test Reports

Airman Knowledge Test Reports are valid within the 24-calendar month period preceding the month you complete the practical test. If the Airman Knowledge Test Report expires before completion of the practical test, you must retake the knowledge test.