Knowledge-test guide
The FAA private pilot written test, explained
Officially the Private Pilot — Airplane airman knowledge test: 60 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours 30 minutes, 70% to pass, taken at an approved testing center. Here's how it works and how to prepare without spending anything.
The format
- 60 questions, three choices each, one best answer.
- 2 hours 30 minutes — roughly a minute and a half per question, which is generous at a steady pace.
- 70% passes. The report lists knowledge codes for missed areas; your instructor must review them with you before the practical test.
- Many questions reference the official testing-supplement figures — charts, legends, and performance tables you should practice reading beforehand.
What it covers
The test maps to the Airman Certification Standards: regulations, airspace, weather and weather services, aircraft systems and performance, weight & balance, navigation and cross-country planning, airport operations, and aeronautical decision-making. Our curriculum is organized against the ACS areas so you can see exactly what maps where.
Before you can take it: the endorsement
You can't just book the exam — you need instructor authorization first (14 CFR 61.35). Ground-school completion alone, from any provider, is not that authorization. We explain the whole path on the endorsement page, including how to bring your instructor evidence of readiness from this course.
A sensible study plan
- Work through the free curriculum — mastery tracking tells you when a topic is actually solid, not just viewed.
- Drill with unlimited practice questions and read the explanations for what you miss.
- Take full-format 60-question timed mock exams until you pass repeatedly with margin — one good score is never enough.
- Bring your mock-exam history to your CFI and ask about the endorsement.
Common questions
How many questions is the private pilot written test?
60 multiple-choice questions, each with three answer choices and exactly one best answer. You have 2 hours 30 minutes.
What score do I need to pass?
A passing score is 70 percent. Your test report also lists codes for the areas you missed, which your instructor reviews with you before the checkride.
Do I need an endorsement to take it?
Yes — you need authorization from an instructor (or another eligible provider under 14 CFR 61.35) before you can sit the test. Completing a ground school by itself is not the endorsement.
Can I prepare without paying for a course?
Yes. This site’s complete ground school — every lesson, unlimited practice, and full-format mock exams — is free, with no credit card and no trial.
Test logistics (fees, scheduling providers, ID requirements) change — confirm current details with your instructor and the testing provider when you book. We are an independent study platform, not affiliated with or approved by the FAA.