Self study for faa written exam

[cshaney]

Ok i have a question that i couldn't find an answer for browsing the forums. I read in a thread, on how to save money on flight training, that you can self study for your FAA written exam. Now does this mean that if i study on my own and pass the written test I wouldn't have to attend a ground school or is taking a ground school considered mandatory. I'm sure that taking a ground school would put the information more straight forward and maybe teach me some things i wouldn't learn on my own, but with all of the training aids that are available it almost seems stupid to pay $600 or more for a class i could do myself. Thanks for any replies.

chris

[rotor91]

Chris,

 

For my PPL I took an excellerated class, but I'm not sure if they still have those. For my commercial license, I took a the ASA book, and I crossed out all of the questions that did not pertain to me(ie: AIR, LTA, or GLD). I just highlighted the each question with a yellow highlighter, and the answer in a green highlighter, and did this for any question that was for RTC or ALL or AIR/RTC. This took sometime, but I would read the question and the answer, and if I didn't completely understand the answer, dog ear the page, and go over with your CFI. I would read the question/answer for 3-5 pages, then go back and start over, and then do 3 more pages, and go back over those, then start from the beggining, etc.. It took me 3 weeks, about 4-5 hours a day, and I got a 94 on my written. I also would go over stuff with my CFI, but the rest was complete memorization. If you only read the question/answer, and not anything else, you'll be surprised how much the old knoggin will retain!

 

My $1.50!

 

Joker....Goldy......Delorean.....Brushfire.....any thoughts?

 

R91

[cshaney]

So is it possible for me to do on my private what you did for your commercial? I guess what im asking is if i can totally skip ground school or is it a faa regulation where a new pilots have to attend some sort of ground school that they certify. Do i have to show that i attended a ground school in order to take the test or can i just take it? For example, on a regular driving test for autos they have classes you can take and pay a lot of money for to get you ready for the test or you can self study take the test and if you pass start driving right away. Is it similar for aviation?

[delorean]

No formal "ground school" req under pt 91.....but your instructor will need to sign off that he gave you all the "Aeronautical Knowledge" required under that part. No minimum number of hours or how that has to be conducted, just that it's done prior to taking your PRACTICAL test (oral & checkride).

 

You can take the KNOWLEDGE test ("written") at any time--with or without a student pilot license. You will need an endorsement from an authorized flight or ground instructor stating that they have personally prepared you for that test **OR that they have reviewed your home study course and find it acceptable for the certificate/rating sought.***

 

The written test is simple. All the questions and answer are made available to you through the freedom of information act. There's a test bank of about 600 questions, of which you get 60.

 

All the software, videos, etc pick apart each question, explain it, and explain the answer. King is a good video course linked to the test software. I liked ASA for just the test portion. Never tried the online ones, but I'm sure they're good too.

[Goldy]

So is it possible for me to do on my private what you did for your commercial?

 

Short answer is YES ! Use www.mywrittenexam.com

 

Once you start getting scores in the 90's forward the emailed results to your CFI. He/she should go over any answers you dont understand and then will usually give you an endorsement to go take the written test. I had 1 hour of review/ground school before my written, and one hour just before my PPL checkride.

 

Goldy

[Hovergirl]

Bear in mind that there is an oral exam of ground knowledge before you take your checkride, and that's going to be a lot more subtle and less predictable than the computerized FAA test. You will probably want a little ground before that gets thrown at you.

 

For this btw I've been really happy with the Rideready program by Dauntless. (It's a lot cheaper than most other things out there and has lots of good info.)

 

HVG

[Chi-town]

If you show a CFI that you are consistently scoring 85% or better on your practice written exams (through mywrittenexam.com or the ASA Prepware-which has some great home study tools) he/she should have no problem endorsing you. Then you have 2 whole years to solo, build you flight time, and study with a CFI for your checkride. This will save you at least 20 hours of ground instruction and allow you to focus on the flying which will be uninterrupted by prepping for the written. This would probably bring you closer to being check-ride ready within the FAA minimums.

 

For free tutoring, you can also look for a CFI applicant who is looking to practice his lessons so he can pass his check ride. It may not be as high-quality, but it will free or close to free.

 

Good luck and good on you for trying to skin this expensive cat a different way.

[Sparker]

Are there very many FAR/AIM questions in the written? I can not find a way to get through that book.

[cshaney]

Ok ive got a better picture of the process now. Ive read the rotocraft flight manual and been studing from the ASA test prep which has helped a lot. These are two good books for perspective pilots who want to get their feet wet and prepare for the written. Now all i have to do is find a cfi to show that im ready and sign me off. Thanks for all of your responses it helps a boat load.

Chris

[Chi-town]

The FAR/AIM is a tough book to get through at first. You can thank the lawyers for writing it like that. The FAR related questions on the written test are all covered in the test prep book IN PLAIN ENGLISH. It's just a matter of going through all the RTC/ALL questions in the test prep book. The actual test will have those EXACT questions. No need to kill yourself in the FAR until you are done with the test.

 

When you are getting ready for your checkride, you should have about a 2-hour ground lesson with your instructor where you and him will go through all the pertinent parts of the book highlighting and tabbing the important sections. I emphasize the tabbing (you can get colored tabs at any office supply store) so that you can quickly find things you can look up. It also shows the DPE that you have done some good nug-work in the FAR/AIM.

 

The test prep book has all you need for the FAA written test. Typically the sections students have the most trouble with (and therefore need to get it explained in depth by a CFI) is the weight and balance section (because most students have trouble with basic algebra and interpreting graphs) and the Radio Navigation section because those questions can be confusing if you don't know some tricks on how to do them (The VOR and ADF questions)

 

Hope this helps.

[Sparker]

The FAR/AIM is a tough book to get through at first. You can thank the lawyers for writing it like that. The FAR related questions on the written test are all covered in the test prep book IN PLAIN ENGLISH. It's just a matter of going through all the RTC/ALL questions in the test prep book. The actual test will have those EXACT questions. No need to kill yourself in the FAR until you are done with the test.

 

When you are getting ready for your checkride, you should have about a 2-hour ground lesson with your instructor where you and him will go through all the pertinent parts of the book highlighting and tabbing the important sections. I emphasize the tabbing (you can get colored tabs at any office supply store) so that you can quickly find things you can look up. It also shows the DPE that you have done some good nug-work in the FAR/AIM.

 

The test prep book has all you need for the FAA written test. Typically the sections students have the most trouble with (and therefore need to get it explained in depth by a CFI) is the weight and balance section (because most students have trouble with basic algebra and interpreting graphs) and the Radio Navigation section because those questions can be confusing if you don't know some tricks on how to do them (The VOR and ADF questions)

 

Hope this helps.

 

Any tips on brushing up algebra?

 

I haven't even given that a thought since I graduated. 5 years ago.... jeesh.

[Chi-town]

Sparker,

 

If you already have the ASA test prep book, you'll see that all the math problems are explained in the answer section below the question. That's how I re-learned my algebra (I was never a math whiz) and it isn't that hard. Don't be intimidated by the size of the book. Just start knocking it out. A couple of hours a day at the local starbucks and before you know it, you'll have gone through all the questions. Then take the practice tests like I said until you are scoring 85% or better. The higher score you have on the written, the easier the examiner will go on you during the check ride.

 

Good luck and get to it!

[Sparker]

Sparker,

 

If you already have the ASA test prep book, you'll see that all the math problems are explained in the answer section below the question. That's how I re-learned my algebra (I was never a math whiz) and it isn't that hard. Don't be intimidated by the size of the book. Just start knocking it out. A couple of hours a day at the local starbucks and before you know it, you'll have gone through all the questions. Then take the practice tests like I said until you are scoring 85% or better. The higher score you have on the written, the easier the examiner will go on you during the check ride.

 

Good luck and get to it!

 

Thanks Chi-town.

 

About starbucks- I think that would cost me more than anything else!!

 

I just ordered the 08 prep test, $12.95

 

Thanks for the advice.

[Helo-Pilot]

Exactly which test do you need to be signed off for? The PPL?

Edited October 29, 2007 by Helo-Pilot

[Sparker]

Exactly which test do you need to be signed off for? The PPL?

Who?

 

I am going for my PPL...

[FUSE]

Exactly which test do you need to be signed off for? The PPL?

 

Your Private and Commercial....

[ArmamentDawg]

I did my private and instrument with virtually no ground school under part 91, however I did revew some stuff with my instructor here and there. Sporty's has a great online test prep tool:

 

http://www.sportys.com/faatest/

 

I just took a bunch of open book practice tests. Use the FAR/AIM to look up each question so you're learning the material rather than just memorizing multiple choice answers. Read from as many credible soures as possible. Above all, be sure to thourally learn everything that is required. You're studying to stay alive, not to pass a test.

 

All you need for a sign-off is this:

 

I certify that Mr/Ms________________ has recieved the ground instruction or conducted self study required for the _______________ license/rating by 14 CFR 61.105 (B.)(1) through (13). I have determined he/she is prepaired for the ________________ knowledge test.

 

Signed______________________________ Date_______________

CFI Number__________________________ Expires_____________

 

Sign-offs for the other tickets (Inst, CPL, CFI/II) are the same with the appropriate FAR inserted.

Edited October 31, 2007 by ArmamentDawg

[Sparker]

I did my private and instrument with virtually no ground school under part 91, however I did revew some stuff with my instructor here and there. Sporty's has a great online test prep tool:

 

http://www.sportys.com/faatest/

 

Thanks for the link, 100% on the first 3 questions!!! I don't have 2 1/2 hours right now, though....

[LFGuard10]

Does this apply for 141 schools too, or both 61 and 141?

[Goldy]

Does this apply for 141 schools too, or both 61 and 141?

 

The FAA written is just that...the FAA written. It is the same style test from the same bank of questions regardless where it is taken. You can take the test at some FAA locations, some colleges, and some flight schools. The biggest money saver in my mind is ground school. No where in any FAR's does it say you MUST attend 200 hours of ground school.!! Do it all yourself, use your CFI to fill in the gaps and go get your written out of the way. Then you can start studying for the oral portion. And spend more money in the air....

 

Goldy

[jehh]

I feel it is worth pointing out that there is a difference between passing the FAA written test and being ready for your checkride.

 

I recommend the ASA Oral Exam guides for the checkride prep itself, however there is no substitute for proper ground instruction.

[delorean]

If you can make it through the King Schools tapes, they're great. They hit everything for the writtens and have graphics you won't find in a book. Good courses, bad 80s hair on the old ones.

 

I used to use ASA Prepware for all the writtens, cheap and basic. I recently used http://www.webexams.com for my DPE test. Free, but some of the answers were wrong and it doesn't give explainations like any software you pay for. There are some other free online test programs, however, they cover a limited selection of certificate and ratings.

[FUSE]

Sign-offs for the other tickets (Inst, CPL, CFI/II) are the same with the appropriate FAR inserted.

 

I didn't think you needed a sign off for the CFI/II Knowledge tests.... Wondering about Instrument also, do you need a sign off for that?

[romanweel]

I didn't think you needed a sign off for the CFI/II Knowledge tests.... Wondering about Instrument also, do you need a sign off for that?

 

You need one for the Instrument written and the FOI written, but not for the CFI or CFII knowledge tests (though you still have to take them). Check out FAR 61.65 (a)(4) for the instrument written endorsement requirement, and 61.183 is all the CFI eligibility requs. Then scan the appendix to AC 61-65E for an endorsement for a CFI/II written, and if I'm wrong, please let me know. I'm in the middle of writing this briefing just at the moment, and I'd rather not teach something that is incorrect.

[Helo-Pilot]

Actually,you dont need a sign-off to take the FOI or the CFI. To the best of my knowledge, and as explained to me by the testing center, the only sign off you need other than private is the instrument. And, if you have previously failed a test.

 

( I am checking the FAR/AIM for verification. )