By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI
Ask three flight instructors when a student pilot should take the FAA Private Pilot knowledge exam, and you will likely get three different answers. This topic always brings up a lively discussion between CFIs, flight school managers and examiners. Student pilots seek clear-cut answers but are often left confused in the middle of well-meaning advice.
Some flight schools, instructors and training programs have well-defined requirements regarding passing FAA knowledge exam. If you’re looking to train in an “accelerated” program, you’ll likely be required to complete an online ground school and pass the knowledge exam before starting training. Part 141 programs may require you to pass every FAA knowledge exam for your ratings before a certain deadline. Other CFIs won’t give a sign-off for solo or solo cross-country flights until the knowledge exam is passed.
There’s no specific time or hour regulation to pass the exam if you’re training in a Part 61 program. Some CFIs and flight schools leave it up to the student, as long as the exam is passed before the checkride (which is the only requirement). The goal is not only to pass the test with confidence but have a solid understanding of the material.
If you’re trying to set a timeline and goal for passing the exam, here are some pros and cons of the different approaches to when you should schedule the exam.
TAKING THE EXAM BEFORE STARTING FLIGHT LESSONS
The first option is to pass the FAA knowledge exam before you even begin flight training with your CFI. Some flight schools, especially the ones with an accelerated course, might require this approach.
Advantages:
- If your written test is passed and out of the way, your flight training in the aircraft may progress efficiently. If your training isn’t delayed waiting on your ground study to catch up with your flying skills, you can train and study right into your checkride. This approach can save you a lot of time and money!
- Passing the test early shows your commitment as a student pilot. It will motivate you to continue into your training with determination and confirmation that you will finish successfully. If you’re applying for aviation scholarships, this commitment speaks volumes to scholarship committees and makes you stand out as an applicant.
- If you pass your written test before beginning lessons, your overall stress will be reduced. For many students who procrastinate, passing the knowledge exam becomes the “monkey on the back” and makes training less enjoyable. If it’s out of the way, you don’t have that added burden.
- Completing your ground school and taking the test early will give you a good knowledge foundation going into training. This deeper understanding can make aviation concepts in flight easier to understand and retain.
Disadvantages:
- On the other hand, if you do all your ground school and test preparation before flight training, you may forget some of the knowledge by the time of your checkride. This will require some knowledge refreshing before the checkride day.
- It’s helpful when ground school content and flying skills tie in together, such as learning VOR navigation. Some concepts are challenging to grasp from a book or video, but when you see it working in the plane, you mentally connect the dots. You won’t have this advantage if you plan to take the knowledge exam before training in the aircraft.
TAKING THE EXAM DURING FLIGHT TRAINING
This is the approach taken by many student pilots in some fashion. Students will simultaneously flight train with their CFI at the airport and work through an online ground school, study various FAA handbooks and the FAR/AIM at home, then schedule the knowledge exam after passing multiple practice tests. A good rule of thumb that most flight instructors recommend is to pass the written test around the time of the first solo or solo cross country.
Advantages:
- An integrated approach of ground school along with flight lessons helps correlate the knowledge and practical skills at the same time. For visual and hands-on learners, this is a helpful, tangible way of learning and retaining important aviation concepts.
- If you’re not very disciplined or motivated to study at home, scheduling extra ground lessons with your CFI can help reinforce challenging subjects. Having an actual ground school class that you invest in and must attend will expose you to the material without too many distractions that you would have at home.
- Passing the exam just before your first solo cross country means the ground material will have more relevance, creating a deeper understanding because the knowledge is being applied to your flying. Pass the test, then as you move into studying for the ground portion of your checkride, the concepts will be fresh on your mind.
Disadvantages:
- A drawback to waiting until the middle of your flight training to take the knowledge test is an increased workload. If you’re flight training three days a week between school or a job, adding in the pressure to get your ground study complete can be overwhelming.
- You may create a knowledge gap in training, which can add more time and money to your overall cost. Early in your flight training you’ll learn so many new skills that are affected by weather, wind, and aerodynamic principles. If you haven’t studied these in theory yet, it might be harder to understand them in the aircraft.
TAKING THE EXAM JUST BEFORE YOUR CHECKRIDE
Whether life circumstances get in the way or just a case of procrastination, some students end up taking their knowledge test just before the checkride. Most CFIs will agree this is the least desirable strategy because near the end of flight training, a student’s time on the ground needs to be spent prepping for the oral portion of the checkride. However, there are a few advantages if this is your situation.
Advantages:
- The material will be fresh on your mind as you go into the checkride. You also have the advantage of a deeper focus on the topics that are frequently examined on a checkride.
- It can reduce the chance of forgetting essential concepts. This may be a good strategy if you know your flight training will be spread out over a long period of time.
- Some students feel stress is reduced if they wait until the end of training to take the test. If the ground study pace matches the flying syllabus, some learners can retain the information better. Just be careful not to procrastinate scheduling the exam.
Disadvantages:
- Waiting until the last minute before your checkride to take the test leaves little room for error. There’s added pressure to do well and pass the first time. If your checkride is already scheduled, you may not have many opportunities to retake the test if you don’t pass.
- If your ground study and knowledge test preparation is delayed until the last minute, there may not be time to fully understand important aviation concepts. This hurried, pressured approach to learn the knowledge you need to be a safe pilot is not recommended.
- A big disadvantage to waiting until the end of training is that it will have a negative impact on your checkride preparation. Studying for the oral exam of a checkride is different than studying for the written test. Studying for the written test is a huge distraction when you should be spending your time getting ready for the checkride.
The best strategy for taking the knowledge test ultimately depends on your learning style, schedule, life circumstances, and flight training syllabus. Be honest with your CFI and yourself regarding time management, study habits and overall academic aptitude. Everyone can agree that beginning a ground study regimen at the beginning (and even before) flight training is ideal. That way you’re laying a foundation of aviation knowledge and theory that will support your flying skills.
No matter when you schedule the knowledge test, commit to a regular study schedule, utilize FAA resources, and integrate your home study with your flight lessons throughout training. This will give you a comprehensive approach and make the material more relevant in everyday flying.
By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI
Northstar Aviation References brings you the Pre-Tabbed ASA FAR/AIM, DIY tabs for your FAR/AIM and other pilot resources so that you can more easily study the regulations that form the foundation of your flying career or hobby. Have any questions? Check out our FAQs page or contact us. Check out other blog posts here.