Oral exams
The oral exam is a face to face verbal examination between the applicant and the examiner to test the knowledge and general understanding of the applicant. Typically, an oral exam is conducted just before or alongside the practical exam. For those seeking mechanic ratings, the questions you receive on your oral exam are randomly generated. For those seeking other FAA ratings, the questions may be specifically curated by your examiner. The content and number of questions will vary depending upon the specific rating.
Now that your written exams are out of the way, let’s focus on the oral portion. There are many resources that you can use to prepare for your oral exams, and one of the best ways to ensure a well rounded understanding of the topics is to review the results of your written exams. Depending on which certifications you are preparing for, your written exam results should give a list of areas of deficiency either in the form of general topic titles or ACS codes. You should review all information that could be on your exam and pay special attention to your weakest areas.
Once you are ready for both your oral and practical exams, you must locate and contact an examiner directly to schedule your exams. For mechanics you will need a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). To find an examiner near you, use the FAA examiner locator tool. You may also contact your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), local flight schools, or local repair shops for information about local examiners. Once you have found an examiner to conduct your exam, be sure to clarify details such as time, location and their expectations of you during the examination process.
After your exams have been scheduled, it’s time to take your exams and prove your capabilities. Arrive to the testing site early and well prepared. The examiner does NOT typically expect you to recite word for word answers. They want to ensure that you have a general understanding of how things work, and the best way to demonstrate your knowledge is by being able to explain things in your own words. If you fail the oral portion, your examination will be terminated at that point and you must coordinate with your examiner to try again at a later date. The key here is to ensure that you are ready BEFORE scheduling your exams, and continue to prepare up to the date of your exams.
Upon successful completion of your oral exam, your examiner will guide you into the practical application portion.