The FAA has partnered with PSI testing services for the administration of all FAA Written examinations. Once you have received an endorsement from a Certified Flight Instructor to take a written exam, you will need to schedule and pay for the exam online.
We strongly recommend that you take your written examination as-early-as-possible, preferably before your cross-country phase of training. We will not be able to sign you off for your practical exam with the FAA DPE until you have passed your written exam.
Although passing score for the majority of the FAA written exams is 70%, it is strongly encouraged that you achieve a score much higher, preferably in the mid 80’s an above. Per FAA regulation, the FAA DPE must test you on the areas that you were deficient on your written exam during the oral portion of the practical exam. A low written exam score is setting yourself up for a long tough oral exam.
Generally, we will not endorse a student to take a written exam until you score in the upper 80’s on at least 3 practice exams. Listed below are the topic areas for the various FAA exams. At the bottom of the page, you will see the link to click to register for an exam.
PRIVATE PILOT WRITTEN EXAM
The knowledge test consists of objective, multiple-choice questions. There is a single correct response for each test question. Each test question is independent of other questions. A correct response to one question does not depend upon, or influence, the correct response to another.
| TOPIC AREA(S): | Percent of Questions |
| Regulations | 5 – 15% |
| Accident Reporting | 5 – 10% |
| Performance Charts | 5 – 10% |
| Radio Communications | 5 – 10% |
| Weather | 5 – 10% |
| Safe and Efficient Operations | 5 – 15% |
| Density Altitude and Performance | 5 – 10% |
| Weight and Balance | 5 – 10% |
| Aerodynamics, Powerplants, and Aircraft Systems | 5 – 10% |
| Stalls and Spins | 5 – 10% |
| Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) | 5 – 10% |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | 60 |
COMMERCIAL PILOT WRITTEN EXAM
The knowledge test consists of objective, multiple-choice questions. There is a single correct response for each test question. Each test question is independent of other questions. A correct response to one question does not depend upon, or influence, the correct response to another.
| TOPIC AREA(S): | Percent of Questions |
| Regulations | 5 – 15% |
| Accident Reporting | 5 – 10% |
| Aerodynamics | 5 – 10% |
| Meteorology – Weather | 5 – 10% |
| Safe and Efficient Operations | 5 – 10% |
| Weight and Balance | 5 – 10% |
| Performance Charts | 5 – 10% |
| Aircraft Limitations | 5 – 10% |
| Pilotage and Dead Reckoning | 5 – 10% |
| Air Navigation Facilities | 5 – 10% |
| Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) | 5 – 10% |
| Maneuvers, Procedures, Emergency Operations | 5 – 10% |
| Night and High-Altitude Operations | 5 – 10% |
| National Airspace Operations | 5 – 10% |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | 100 |
INSTRUMENT RATING WRITTEN EXAM
The knowledge test consists of objective, multiple-choice questions. There is a single correct response for each test question. Each test question is independent of other questions. A correct response to one question does not depend upon, or influence, the correct response to another.
| TOPIC AREA(S): | Percent of Questions |
| Regulations | 5 – 15% |
| IFR En Route and Approach Procedures | 5 – 15% |
| Air Traffic Control and Procedures | 5 – 20% |
| IFR Navigation | 5 – 20% |
| Weather, Reports, Critical Weather, Forecasts | 5 – 20% |
| Safe and Efficient IFR Operations | 5 – 10% |
| Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) | 5 – 10% |
| Crew Resource Management | 5 – 10% |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | 60 |
CLICK HERE to register for your written exam. You will need to step up an account and know FAA Tracking Number (FTN), which can be found in your IACRA account.