FAA written exams
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FAA written exams
Just about to do the FAA written exams. I have a question. Everybody who has the books tells me there are over 1000 questions just for the ATP, however, when I go to the FAA site for the question bank
https://www.faa.gov/training_testing.../media/atp.pdf
there are only 395. Are there in fact only 395 or is this an incomplete list?
https://www.faa.gov/training_testing.../media/atp.pdf
there are only 395. Are there in fact only 395 or is this an incomplete list?
The pool of questions is so you can't memorize the answers.
.
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Norway
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The sheppard air or aviationexams question banks will have almost all of the ones that will show up in the test. But do by all means actually learn the stuff properly too. Its useful for flying 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Germany
Age: 76
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a bit out of date on this, but from what I remember, there are about a thousand questions, in something like five different areas such as "weight and balance." So, you get roughly 200 questions per area.
Thanks to the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), you can get all the current, actual FAA written test questions, but of course you will not know which of those you will get on your written test!
I had some time on my hands, thanks to getting my ass fired the second time running, so that I sat down with a Jeppesen programmed learning course for the ATP that I got in exchange for overhauling a "stovebolt six" engine from a fellow pilot's Chevy; a big book of questions and answers: actual FAA questions with answers from a commercial provider; a current copy of the FAR/AIM (Federal Aviation Regulations/Aviation Information Manual); a simple, non-programmable electronic calculator; and a CR-3 mechanical calculator. After a week I went in and passed the test by a comfortable margin.
It quickly became clear that there were only so many different ways you might be asked about specific topics: not so very many as all that. For weight and balance, for instance, you might have to either shift load between two compartments, or add some load, or drop some load.
Two different questions might both require shifting some load between fore and aft compartments, when only the numbers differed; it was the same basic problem that required the same basic method to work it. This is not rocket science.
I used a combination of learning the questions, just recognizing the particular question and memorizing its particular answer, but more importantly, learning how to work the problems posed by the questions. After all, there's nothing to stop the FAA from putting some brand-new questions out just after you have memorized all their old ones. It's a constant cat-and-mouse game, I suppose.
Although you might never need to know how many flight attendants with how many megaphones are required on an airliner with X number of seats, it's all stuff you really are required to know in order to hold the license, and much of it is very useful to know.
Thanks to the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), you can get all the current, actual FAA written test questions, but of course you will not know which of those you will get on your written test!
I had some time on my hands, thanks to getting my ass fired the second time running, so that I sat down with a Jeppesen programmed learning course for the ATP that I got in exchange for overhauling a "stovebolt six" engine from a fellow pilot's Chevy; a big book of questions and answers: actual FAA questions with answers from a commercial provider; a current copy of the FAR/AIM (Federal Aviation Regulations/Aviation Information Manual); a simple, non-programmable electronic calculator; and a CR-3 mechanical calculator. After a week I went in and passed the test by a comfortable margin.
It quickly became clear that there were only so many different ways you might be asked about specific topics: not so very many as all that. For weight and balance, for instance, you might have to either shift load between two compartments, or add some load, or drop some load.
Two different questions might both require shifting some load between fore and aft compartments, when only the numbers differed; it was the same basic problem that required the same basic method to work it. This is not rocket science.
I used a combination of learning the questions, just recognizing the particular question and memorizing its particular answer, but more importantly, learning how to work the problems posed by the questions. After all, there's nothing to stop the FAA from putting some brand-new questions out just after you have memorized all their old ones. It's a constant cat-and-mouse game, I suppose.
Although you might never need to know how many flight attendants with how many megaphones are required on an airliner with X number of seats, it's all stuff you really are required to know in order to hold the license, and much of it is very useful to know.
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Atlanta area
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Prepware 2014
I used Prepware 2014 to study for my written exam. I found it to be an excellent preparation tool. They use the same questions/answers that are used on the official test. When running in the study-mode, you can select a specific number of questions from each of the subject-categories to create a test that will pop up an explanation of why your answer is wrong (if it is). The course uses the same work book that you'll be using to take the test at the FAA testing site.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FAA Eaxams
Just got a reply back from the FAA. It read - "Sorry, but the full list of questions is not available to the public." So there you go, question answered. The questions on the web site are not all they can ask.
Thanks for the responses.
Thanks for the responses.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: In the desert southwest
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
this works for me
Dauntless.
I have used them for the ATP helicopter and the CFI helicopter. Its a good program and they have 99+ percent of the questions. In other words I have found a very small amount that are not in the guides or have been changed slightly. They have question banks for every written. They have plenty of different scenarios you can use to study. Over the years I have used other software as well and they all provide essentially the same experience.
Cheers
I have used them for the ATP helicopter and the CFI helicopter. Its a good program and they have 99+ percent of the questions. In other words I have found a very small amount that are not in the guides or have been changed slightly. They have question banks for every written. They have plenty of different scenarios you can use to study. Over the years I have used other software as well and they all provide essentially the same experience.
Cheers
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: europe
Age: 38
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Switzerland
Age: 37
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ATP FAA
Dear fellow Rotorheads
Can anyone assist me please? Im using prepware fron 2011, is it usefull to pass the exam?
What would you reccomend on how best to get prepared for the Test
Can anyone assist me please? Im using prepware fron 2011, is it usefull to pass the exam?
What would you reccomend on how best to get prepared for the Test
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Around the world
Age: 41
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have used preware and dauntless preparation software and I think Dauntless is really usefull, you can update it with the last question for life... Give a look.
FAA Written Test Prep for PC, iPhone/iPad, and MP3 players. Current for 2014!
FAA Written Test Prep for PC, iPhone/iPad, and MP3 players. Current for 2014!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Switzerland
Age: 37
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
fellow rotorhead, may I ask if it is possbile in the FAA land to get PPL with IR.
My goal is to convert my EASA license to an FAA one, mainly because I need the IR. Could you please suggest the best and chepest way?
My goal is to convert my EASA license to an FAA one, mainly because I need the IR. Could you please suggest the best and chepest way?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FAA Exams
I just did 3 exams over in the US. Commercial, Instrument and ATP (all helicopter). Did and passed the first 2 using aviationexam.com. It was very useful due to being on my IPhone and consequently allowed me to study anywhere any time. However, it was suggested I do the final one (ATP) using Sheppard. After using Sheppard, I would not go with any other system. They guarantee at least a 90% pass, and, sure enough, after only 4 or 5 days of study, I passed with 98%. As stated before, it is necessary to actually know the subjects because the oral before any check ride is usually fairly in depth.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Holly Beach, Louisiana
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As Pigy notes, cram study works for the written test but you best know your stuff for the Oral Portion of the Check Ride.
The Cram stuff also works to ensure you understand the subject matter.
If you not only know the answer but can give a two minute dissertation on the exact point of the question then you are probably good to go for the Oral.
The FAA system places far more emphasis upon the Oral and Flight Test than the Written Test. The Written only indicates how well you can memorize information and the Oral and Flight Test demonstrate your ability to apply that knowledge.
The FAA system also uses a "Building Block" approach to the Written Testing.....as you progress from PPL to ATPL you are thoroughly tested on the "new" material and only get a cursory testing on the "old" material.
The Cram stuff also works to ensure you understand the subject matter.
If you not only know the answer but can give a two minute dissertation on the exact point of the question then you are probably good to go for the Oral.
The FAA system places far more emphasis upon the Oral and Flight Test than the Written Test. The Written only indicates how well you can memorize information and the Oral and Flight Test demonstrate your ability to apply that knowledge.
The FAA system also uses a "Building Block" approach to the Written Testing.....as you progress from PPL to ATPL you are thoroughly tested on the "new" material and only get a cursory testing on the "old" material.
