FAA Knowledge Tests: Preparation and Requirements

FAA knowledge tests are written examinations administered under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) as a prerequisite for pilot certification, flight instructor ratings, and aviation maintenance credentials. Passing a knowledge test demonstrates that an applicant meets the aeronautical knowledge standards set by the FAA before advancing to practical examination. Understanding the test structure, eligibility thresholds, and preparation requirements is essential for anyone pursuing FAA pilot certification or related aviation credentials.

Definition and scope

FAA knowledge tests are computer-based examinations delivered through FAA-approved testing centers operated by private vendors under contract with the agency. Each test corresponds to a specific certificate or rating — such as Private Pilot Airplane, Instrument Rating, or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) — and draws from a published question bank maintained by the FAA's Airmen Testing Standards Branch.

The regulatory basis for knowledge tests appears throughout 14 CFR Part 61 (certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors) and 14 CFR Part 65 (certification of airmen other than flight crew members). The FAA publishes Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement documents — including AC 61-140 and associated figures booklets — that applicants may use during testing. Test questions are drawn from the FAA's publicly released Airman Knowledge Test Question Bank, downloadable from the FAA Airmen Certification website.

The scope of the knowledge test requirement extends beyond pilots. Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) seeking FAA aviation maintenance technician certification under 14 CFR Part 65 must pass separate General, Airframe, and Powerplant knowledge tests before scheduling an oral and practical examination with a Designated Pilot Examiner or Designated Mechanic Examiner.

How it works

The end-to-end knowledge test process follows a defined sequence of steps:

1. Eligibility verification — The applicant must meet the age minimum for the certificate sought. For a Private Pilot certificate, 14 CFR §61.103 requires the applicant to be at least 16 years old to solo and 17 years old to hold the certificate, though no minimum age applies to sitting the knowledge test itself.
2. Endorsement requirement — Before scheduling most knowledge tests, an applicant must obtain a logbook endorsement from a certificated flight instructor (CFI) or ground instructor confirming adequate training in the required subject areas. The endorsement requirement is specified in 14 CFR §61.35(a)(1).
3. Scheduling — Testing is scheduled through FAA-approved testing centers. PSI Services LLC is the current approved vendor administering FAA knowledge tests at locations across the United States.
4. Test administration — Tests are delivered on computer terminals. Applicants may use the FAA-provided Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement but may not bring personal materials. Time limits vary by test; the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) test allots 2.5 hours for 60 questions.
5. Scoring — The passing threshold for most pilot knowledge tests is 70% (14 CFR §61.35). Scores are reported immediately at the testing center, and the applicant receives an Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR).
6. AKTR validity — The AKTR is valid for 24 calendar months from the date of the test for most certificates under 14 CFR Part 61. If the practical test is not completed within that window, the knowledge test must be retaken.

A failed knowledge test requires a 30-day waiting period before retesting, unless an authorized instructor endorses the applicant earlier under 14 CFR §61.49.

Common scenarios

Private Pilot Applicant
The most common knowledge test scenario involves a student pilot completing ground training and scheduling the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) test. Subject areas tested include aerodynamics, weather, airspace, navigation, aircraft systems, and regulations — all drawn from the FAA's published question bank. Preparation typically involves ground school coursework aligned with FAA-H-8083 handbooks and the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25).

Instrument Rating Applicant
The Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) knowledge test emphasizes IFR procedures, approach charts, weather interpretation, and regulations specific to instrument operations. Applicants must already hold at least a Private Pilot certificate. The IRA test consists of 60 questions with the same 70% passing threshold as the PAR.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
The ATP Airplane (ATM) knowledge test is among the most comprehensive, covering advanced aerodynamics, turbine systems, high-altitude operations, and crew resource management. Under 49 U.S.C. §44703 and the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, ATP certification became mandatory for all first officers at Part 121 air carriers. The test includes 125 questions.

Remote Pilot (UAS Operator)
Operators seeking a Remote Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR Part 107 must pass the Remote Pilot — Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAG) knowledge test, a 60-question exam covering airspace, weather, and drone-specific regulations, as detailed on the FAA drone registration and UAS page.

Decision boundaries

Several distinctions determine which knowledge test applies and what preparation pathway is required.

Part 61 vs. Part 141 training
Applicants training at FAA-certificated pilot schools under 14 CFR Part 141 may qualify for a course completion certificate in lieu of the standard instructor endorsement for some tests. Part 141 schools operate under approved training syllabi and are subject to periodic FAA oversight. Part 61 training is more flexible but generally requires the individual instructor endorsement pathway.

First attempt vs. retest
A first-attempt failure triggers the mandatory 30-day waiting period under 14 CFR §61.49, unless an authorized instructor provides a logbook endorsement certifying additional training was completed in the failed subject areas. No maximum number of attempts is specified in regulation.

Knowledge test vs. practical test
The knowledge test is a prerequisite for, but separate from, the practical test (checkride) administered by a Designated Pilot Examiner. Passing the knowledge test does not waive any portion of the practical test, which is governed by the applicable Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document published by the FAA. The FAA safety regulations overview covers the broader regulatory framework within which both tests operate.

AKTR expiration boundary
If the 24-month AKTR validity lapses before the practical test is completed, the applicant must retake the knowledge test regardless of prior score. There is no provision for extending AKTR validity under current Part 61 regulations.

Applicants uncertain about which test applies to their specific certificate or rating can consult the FAA knowledge test requirements reference and the FAA's home resource index for navigation to additional certification topics.