FAA Knowledge Test: Complete Study Guide for Every Certificate

The FAA knowledge test — commonly called the "written test" — is the first major milestone on the path to any pilot certificate or rating. Every certificate level from student pilot through ATP, plus specialty authorizations like the Part 107 remote pilot certificate, requires passing a computer-based knowledge test before you can take the practical (checkride). Tests are administered at FAA-authorized testing centers operated by CATS (Computer Assisted Testing Service) and PSI Services. You register online, pay the testing fee (typically $175 or less), and schedule a time at the nearest testing center. The test is delivered on a computer at the testing center — you cannot take it at home. No internet access or outside reference materials are permitted unless specifically authorized by the test supplement booklet provided.

FAA Knowledge Test Requirements by Certificate

Each certificate and rating has a specific knowledge test with its own test code, question count, time limit, and topic coverage:

• PAR — Private Pilot Airplane: 60 questions, 2.5 hours, 70% to pass. Covers regulations, airspace, weather, charts, aircraft systems, aerodynamics, and cross-country planning.
• IRA — Instrument Rating Airplane: 60 questions, 2.5 hours, 70% to pass. Covers IFR regulations, instrument procedures, weather, enroute charts, approach plates, and navigation systems.
• CAX — Commercial Pilot Airplane: 100 questions, 3 hours, 70% to pass. Covers commercial operations, performance, weight and balance, regulations, and advanced aerodynamics.
• FOI — Fundamentals of Instruction: 50 questions, 2.5 hours, 70% to pass. Required for all CFI applicants. Covers teaching theory, learning processes, and human behavior.
• FIA — Flight Instructor Airplane: 100 questions, 2.5 hours, 70% to pass. Covers instructor-specific knowledge including endorsement requirements, training techniques, and ACS standards.
• UAG — Part 107 Remote Pilot: 60 questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass. Covers drone regulations, airspace, weather, and safety for commercial sUAS operations. Renewable every 24 months via an online recurrent training course.
• ATP — Airline Transport Pilot: 125 questions, 3 hours, 70% to pass. Covers advanced systems, high-altitude operations, turbine aircraft, and Part 121 regulations.

What's on the Private Pilot FAA Written Test (PAR)

The Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) knowledge test is the most commonly taken FAA knowledge test. All 60 questions are multiple-choice with three answer choices each. The test is computer-based and you may review and change answers before submitting. Here are the major topic areas:

Federal Aviation Regulations

Questions from Parts 61, 91, and NTSB Part 830 are common. Expect questions about pilot currency, flight review requirements, medical certificate validity, VFR fuel minimums, right-of-way rules, and accident reporting requirements.

Airspace

VFR weather minimums in each class of airspace, equipment requirements, communication requirements, and Mode C transponder rules. Know the specific ceiling and visibility minimums for Class B, C, D, E (at surface, below 10,000 feet, above 10,000 feet), and Class G.

Weather

Reading METARs and TAFs, types of fog, thunderstorm formation and avoidance, wind shear, icing conditions, pressure systems, fronts, and density altitude. Weather is typically 15–20% of the PAR test.

Charts and Navigation

Reading sectional charts, identifying airspace boundaries, VOR navigation, pilotage, dead reckoning, true course vs. magnetic heading, wind correction angle, and time/distance calculations. A flight computer (E6B or equivalent) is permitted during the test.

Aircraft Systems and Performance

Pitot-static system, gyroscopic instruments, carburetor icing, magneto operation, fuel systems, weight and balance calculations, and performance chart reading (takeoff distance, climb gradient, cruise speed, landing distance). Calculator use is permitted.

Aerodynamics

Four forces of flight, angle of attack, lift and drag, stalls, spins, ground effect, load factor in turns, and the effect of configuration changes on aircraft performance. These questions are typically conceptual rather than mathematical.

How to Register for the FAA Knowledge Test

Registering for the FAA knowledge test is a simple process, but there are prerequisites you must meet before you can schedule:

• Obtain a CFI endorsement (or home study course certificate): Under §61.35, you must present evidence that you are prepared for the test. Most students obtain a logbook endorsement from their CFI. Students who complete an FAA-approved home study course may use that course's completion certificate instead.
• Create an account with PSI or CATS: Register at the testing service's website. CATS uses amstest.com and PSI uses faa.psiexams.com. Both networks have testing centers across the US.
• Select a testing location and date: The testing center locator tool shows available centers and open testing slots. Testing is generally available Monday through Friday at most locations.
• Pay the testing fee: Fees are set by the testing service (typically $150–$175). Payment is made at registration.
• ID requirements: On test day, bring government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID) and your CFI endorsement (logbook or printed certificate). Without both, you will not be admitted to the test.

FAA Written Test Passing Scores

The minimum passing score for every FAA knowledge test is 70%. This applies to all certificates and ratings — private, instrument, commercial, CFI, ATP, and Part 107. There is no partial credit. Each question is marked correct or incorrect, and your final score is the percentage of correct answers.

An important consequence of the 70% rule: every question you miss during the knowledge test will be noted on your test report. Your DPE is required to review all missed questions with you during the oral portion of the checkride. A score of 80% means the DPE will have 12 topics to probe during your oral (on a 60-question test). A score of 95% gives the DPE only 3 questions to explore. Higher scores do not change your certificate privileges, but they do directly reduce the depth of scrutiny during the checkride oral.

Best Study Resources for the FAA Knowledge Test

The FAA publishes all the primary study materials for free. Here is what to use:

• Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK): FAA-H-8083-25. The foundational textbook covering all aeronautical knowledge topics. Every serious student should read the relevant chapters before test day.
• Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH): FAA-H-8083-3. Covers practical flying techniques and procedures. Primarily used for flight training, but some questions relate to procedures covered here.
• Instrument Flying Handbook (IFH): FAA-H-8083-15. Essential for the IRA test. Covers instrument systems, procedures, and regulations in detail.
• FAR/AIM: The Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual. Must-read for regulatory questions. FARAIM.US lets you search specific sections instantly with cited answers.
• Airman Certification Standards (ACS): The ACS for each certificate level lists the specific knowledge, risk management, and skill areas that may be tested. Study the knowledge references listed for each task.
• FAA test question bank: The FAA publishes the actual question bank used for knowledge tests. Commercial question bank services (Sporty's, Gleim, ASA, King Schools) use these questions with explanations for each answer choice.

Using FARAIM.US to Study for the FAA Written Test

FARAIM.US is purpose-built for the way pilots study. Here is how to use it effectively for knowledge test preparation:

• Search any regulation by topic: "VFR fuel requirements day" → §91.151 with the exact rule, no hunting through the FARs
• Understand answer choices: When a practice question has a tricky answer, search the topic on FARAIM.US to read the actual regulation and understand why the correct answer is correct
• Cross-check explanations: Commercial question banks sometimes have outdated or inaccurate explanations. FARAIM.US always cites the primary source so you can verify
• AIM procedures: Search for AIM topics like "light gun signals," "lost communications procedure in the pattern," or "ATIS phonetic alphabet" to get cited answers from the current AIM
• FAA handbooks: The PHAK, AFH, IFH, and other FAA handbooks are indexed in FARAIM.US — search for specific topics like "gyroscopic precession" or "carburetor icing probability" to find the relevant handbook section

Common FAA Knowledge Test Topics and Questions

Based on the FAA's published question banks, these are the highest-frequency topic areas on the Private Pilot knowledge test that students consistently find challenging:

• Airspace weather minimums: The specific ceiling and visibility minimums for each airspace class, especially Class E at and below 10,000 feet vs. above 10,000 feet, and Class G at various altitudes and times of day
• VFR fuel requirements: Day (§91.151(a)) — enough to reach destination plus 30 minutes at normal cruise. Night (§91.151(b)) — enough to reach destination plus 45 minutes.
• METAR interpretation: Parsing sky condition, visibility, wind, altimeter, and remarks sections of a METAR. Know the difference between BKN, OVC, FEW, and SCT, and how ceiling is defined.
• Weight and balance: Using the aircraft's weight and balance tables to calculate loaded CG and determine if it falls within the envelope. Most tests include at least 2–3 calculation questions.
• Performance charts: Reading takeoff distance charts accounting for pressure altitude, temperature, and wind. Understanding that density altitude affects performance even when indicated altitude is the same.
• Sectional chart reading: Identifying airspace boundaries, airport information, obstructions, and special use airspace on aeronautical charts. Know what the different colors and symbols mean.
• Right-of-way rules (§91.113): Which aircraft has right of way in various conflict scenarios — converging, head-on, overtaking, and between aircraft categories.
• NTSB Part 830 — Accident reporting: When must you notify the NTSB? What constitutes an incident vs. accident? When must a written report be filed?

Frequently Asked Questions