Written exams

EXAMS

FAA Written Exams

FAA written exams, formally called airman knowledge tests, evaluate your understanding of the subjects and regulations associated with a particular certificate or rating.

Testing requirements vary. Before scheduling an exam, confirm the eligibility requirements, required authorization, number of questions, allotted time, passing score, and identification requirements for your specific test.

FAA knowledge tests are computer-based examinations administered through authorized testing centers. Most use multiple-choice questions, but the content, length, allotted time, and passing score depend on the certificate or rating being pursued.

Passing the knowledge test demonstrates that you meet the applicable knowledge standard. Depending on your certification path, additional oral, practical, or flight testing may still be required.

Before preparing or scheduling, verify that you meet the eligibility requirements for your specific knowledge test. Some tests require an instructor endorsement, graduation certificate, signed FAA application, or another form of authorization. The requirements are not the same for every certificate or rating. Review the appropriate Aeronoire certification page, FAA Airman Certification Standards, and current FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix before scheduling.

Begin with the current standards and source materials for your specific certificate or rating. Useful preparation resources may include FAA publications, Airman Certification Standards, handbooks, study guides, courses, videos, and practice tests.

Practice questions can help identify weak areas, but preparation should go beyond memorizing answers. Focus on understanding the underlying concepts, regulations, and procedures you will be expected to apply after certification.

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FAA knowledge tests are scheduled through PSI at an authorized testing center. Before scheduling, you will need an FAA Tracking Number, or FTN. If you do not already have one, register through the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system, commonly called IACRA. Your FTN remains associated with you throughout the FAA testing and certification process.

After receiving your FTN, use the PSI website to create an account, select the correct test, choose a testing center, and schedule your appointment. Confirm that the name on your account matches your identification and carefully review the eligibility and documentation requirements for your selected test.

Before test day, confirm the date, time, location, identification requirements, and any authorization documents you must bring. Arrive early enough to complete the testing center’s check-in process.

Read each question carefully and manage your available time. If you are uncertain about a question, use the available testing tools to mark it for review and return to it before submitting the exam.

Your result report is an important certification document. Keep the original in a safe place and follow the instructions associated with your specific certification path.

If you pass, review the next requirements for the certificate or rating you are pursuing. Passing the knowledge test may be only one part of the complete certification process.

Your result report may identify missed subject areas or provide Airman Certification Standards codes connected to areas that need improvement. Use that information to guide further study, especially when preparing for later oral, practical, or flight testing.

A failed knowledge test does not end your certification path. Review the areas identified on your result report and spend additional time studying the underlying material before testing again.

Retesting rules, waiting periods, and requirements for additional instruction or endorsements vary by exam. Consult the current FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix and the regulations for your specific certificate or rating before scheduling another attempt.

Depending on the certificate or rating you are pursuing, passing the FAA knowledge test may be followed by an oral exam, a practical exam, or both. Review the requirements for your specific certification before continuing.

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The written exams are multiple choice knowledge based exams designed to evaluate an individual’s knowledge, and understanding of relevant concepts and regulations. They are conducted on a desktop computer at a test proctoring facility. The content, number of questions, and passing score will vary depending upon the specific rating.

Prepare for your written exam

After meeting all of the necessary requirements for your desired rating, it’s time to study for the knowledge portion of your exam. There are many resources to help you including but not limited to: physical books; eBooks; interactive prepware; videos; test prep courses and more. The amount of time this step takes is entirely up to you but I recommend preparing more than you believe to be necessary. Once you are confident in your knowledge, you are ready to schedule your exam. Visit our maintenance certifications and FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) pages for certificate specific testing information and requirements.

Schedule your written exam

The FAA uses the test proctoring service PSI (Professional Service Industries) and you must schedule your written exam through their website faa.psiexams.com . When you first visit this link you will need to read the page in its entirety, then scroll down and click the Create an Account button. This requires 2 factor authentication with the use of either the Google Authenticator App or Microsoft Authenticator App. When I went through this process I ran into some difficulty with the 2 factor authentication. There was a timing delay between my cell phone and laptop, so I would recommend installing the authenticator app of choice on the same device used to create and login to your PSI account. After your account is successfully created, you are ready to schedule your exam. You will use this account for all FAA exams regardless of the rating. If you experience technical difficulty with this step you must directly contact PSI. PSI Contact Information. Continue studying up to the date of your exam, don’t burn yourself out or procrastinate and cram all of your studying into the night before your exam.

Take your written exam

Once you are scheduled for your written exam, be sure to make note of and set a reminder for the time and location of your testing, and arrive to the testing center early. Generally you must pass your written exams with a score of 70% or higher, but be sure to verify the minimum score for your desired certificate. If you fail, don’t panic, it’s not the end of the world. You are able to take a written exam as many times as necessary to obtain a passing score but you must continue to meet eligibility requirements and wait for a specified period of time after a failed attempt to retake that same exam; 30 days for mechanic certifications. Those taking the general, airframe, or powerplant mechanic written exams may retest within 30 days if you receive remedial training in the areas of deficiency from an appropriately rated mechanic. They must sign at the bottom of your failed exam results to authorize an early re-test. This is a special case for mechanics; those seeking all other ratings must wait the full designated period before a re-test. If the results of your exam do not mention specific areas of deficiency by name it may give you ACS codes (Airmen Certification Standards codes). These codes are directly associated with specific sections and topics in the ACS (Airmen Certification Standards). Keep up the hard work!

Upon successful completion of your written exams, you are ready to continue to the oral and practical exams.