FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings
(a) Responsibilities of the applicant
(1) Applicants shall take the entire set of theoretical knowledge examinations for a specific
licence or rating under the responsibility of one Member State.
(2) Applicants shall only take the theoretical knowledge examination when recommended by
the approved training organisation (ATO) responsible for their training, once they have
completed the appropriate elements of the training course of theoretical knowledge
instruction to a satisfactory standard.
(3) The recommendation by an ATO shall be valid for 12 months. If the applicant has failed to
attempt at least one theoretical knowledge examination paper within this period of validity,
the need for further training shall be determined by the ATO, based on the needs of the
applicant.
(b) Pass standards
(1) A pass in a theoretical knowledge examination paper will be awarded to an applicant
achieving at least 75 % of the marks allocated to that paper. There is no penalty marking.
(2) Unless otherwise determined in this Part, an applicant has successfully completed the
required theoretical knowledge examination for the appropriate pilot licence or rating when
he/she has passed all the required examination papers within a period of 18 months
counted from the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an
examination.
Part-FCL – Subpart A, AMC and GM V1, June 2016
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(3) If an applicant has failed to pass one of the theoretical knowledge examination papers
within 4 attempts, or has failed to pass all papers within either 6 sittings or the period
mentioned in paragraph (2), he/she shall re-take the complete set of examination papers.
Before re-taking the theoretical knowledge examinations, the applicant shall undertake
further training at an ATO. The extent and scope of the training needed shall be determined
by the ATO, based on the needs of the applicant.
(c) Validity period
(1) The successful completion of the theoretical knowledge examinations will be valid:
(i) for the issue of a light aircraft pilot licence, a private pilot licence, a sailplane pilot
licence or a balloon pilot licence, for a period of 24 months;
(ii) for the issue of a commercial pilot licence, instrument rating (IR) or en route
instrument rating (EIR), for a period of 36 months;
(iii) the periods in (i) and (ii) shall be counted from the day when the pilot
successfully c