PPL Theory Exams - My experience
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PPL Theory Exams - My experience
So I'm currently going through the process of studying for and taking my PPL theory tests. I have read many threads from people wanting to know what to expect, how much they should study etc etc, and I myself searched the forums and was apprehensive about this subject so I thought I'd post a log of my theory study and exam experience for other newbies to read.
Today I took my first exam which was Air Law and passed with 95% score. Frustratingly the 2 questions I got wrong I had the correct answers down and changed them at the last minute before handing my paper in, oh well.
So a little bit about the test for you newbies like me. The question paper I would say was relatively simple, but then I did study very very thoroughly so it would obviously be a lot harder for those who don't put the study time in.
The questions were almost identical to those found in the 'Question and Answer Simplifier' by Jeremy Pratt, so I would absolutely recommend that if you don't have this book you go and buy it. The format for the exam was very relaxed, to be honest I was quite surprised at how relaxed it was. I was plonked in a room on my own, given the test paper and an answer sheet and left to get on with it. No one monitored me or supervised, although I was told to leave my iPhone outside the room for obvious reasons. All in all not very daunting at all to those who haven't yet had their first test.
Onto my study time and technique:
I basically studied for just over a week working my way through the Jeremy Pratt Air Law/Operational Procedures book. I went through the book very comprehensively indeed and took very good notes. It was time consuming and pretty much every waking hour I had outside of work and general life (hobbies, chores etc) I was studying, making notes, and doing the practice tests in the Question and Answer Simplifier book. I also downloaded 'The Great Circle' app for my iPhone and used this to gauge my progress. The more I worked through the book the higher my score on this app became which was a good indication that I was learning a lot. Eventually I was hitting 90 - 95% each time on the app and about the same scores from the tests in the Q&A Simplifier book so I decided I was ready.
I will post back following the next few tests but I would say that the best thing is to just be disciplined, get into the study books and work hard. If something seems easy skim read as that's because it is easy, but for other sections such as calculating Flight Levels using the Quadrantal rule under IFR conditions depending on the sub scale pressure setting etc etc, you might want to spend some quality time and make some good notes, and only move on when you are confident you understand it. Also come back to these sections and test your knowledge over and over to make sure you remember it and you'll find that each time you look at these sections they'll get clearer and clearer.
I would suggest that you could probably put in much less time than I did and still pass, but to be honest I would rather work hard and properly understand a subject and get a high score as I would imagine this can only make you a safer and more complete pilot in the long run.
That's all for now. I'll post back after test No.2.
Today I took my first exam which was Air Law and passed with 95% score. Frustratingly the 2 questions I got wrong I had the correct answers down and changed them at the last minute before handing my paper in, oh well.
So a little bit about the test for you newbies like me. The question paper I would say was relatively simple, but then I did study very very thoroughly so it would obviously be a lot harder for those who don't put the study time in.
The questions were almost identical to those found in the 'Question and Answer Simplifier' by Jeremy Pratt, so I would absolutely recommend that if you don't have this book you go and buy it. The format for the exam was very relaxed, to be honest I was quite surprised at how relaxed it was. I was plonked in a room on my own, given the test paper and an answer sheet and left to get on with it. No one monitored me or supervised, although I was told to leave my iPhone outside the room for obvious reasons. All in all not very daunting at all to those who haven't yet had their first test.
Onto my study time and technique:
I basically studied for just over a week working my way through the Jeremy Pratt Air Law/Operational Procedures book. I went through the book very comprehensively indeed and took very good notes. It was time consuming and pretty much every waking hour I had outside of work and general life (hobbies, chores etc) I was studying, making notes, and doing the practice tests in the Question and Answer Simplifier book. I also downloaded 'The Great Circle' app for my iPhone and used this to gauge my progress. The more I worked through the book the higher my score on this app became which was a good indication that I was learning a lot. Eventually I was hitting 90 - 95% each time on the app and about the same scores from the tests in the Q&A Simplifier book so I decided I was ready.
I will post back following the next few tests but I would say that the best thing is to just be disciplined, get into the study books and work hard. If something seems easy skim read as that's because it is easy, but for other sections such as calculating Flight Levels using the Quadrantal rule under IFR conditions depending on the sub scale pressure setting etc etc, you might want to spend some quality time and make some good notes, and only move on when you are confident you understand it. Also come back to these sections and test your knowledge over and over to make sure you remember it and you'll find that each time you look at these sections they'll get clearer and clearer.
I would suggest that you could probably put in much less time than I did and still pass, but to be honest I would rather work hard and properly understand a subject and get a high score as I would imagine this can only make you a safer and more complete pilot in the long run.
That's all for now. I'll post back after test No.2.
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A very helpful post... One of the interesting points you make is regarding the changing of a correct answer to a wrong answer at the last minute. I see this happening a lot with students I coach through the PPL exams. They are briefed very carefully that if there are any questions that they're not completely sure in answering, 99% of the time their intuition is usually pretty good at picking the right one (assuming they've done the studying!). Typically however, as they go back through the paper, they start second guessing themselves and inevitably change the answer - only to find later it's now the wrong one. Therefore I always say in the pre-briefing, unless they've made some very obvious error in answering a question (i.e. ticked the wrong box by mistake), leave well alone... The intuition and common sense can be quite powerful allies!
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From my own experience, I too also changed two answers from my first thoughts. Had I left them, I would have got 100% 
It's amazing how you can convince yourself that you are right to move away from your first instincts - don't do it!
It's amazing how you can convince yourself that you are right to move away from your first instincts - don't do it!
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Just to throw a spanner in the works on my ATPL Human Performance exam I changed an answer, thought I shouldnt have done that and changed it back.
Unfortunetly I had changed it to the correct one then changed it back to the wrong one.
My score on that exam: 74%
Unfortunetly I had changed it to the correct one then changed it back to the wrong one.
My score on that exam: 74%
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I was exceptionally lucky doing my nav exam. I finished the paper, then went back and double checked my answers. With about 10-15 minutes left, convinced everything was fine, I noticed that the wind speed and direction for the multi leg route were different for each leg (I had assumed they were all the same). In a blind panic, with sweat pouring from all orifices, my whiz-wheel was heating up due to friction with my crazy last minute calcuations. Realizing that the first 5 questions all relied on getting the previous one correct, my heart rate jumped well into triple figures. I finished just in time, but it all payed off, I got 100% Woohoo 
. In a blind panic, with sweat pouring from all orifices, my whiz-wheel was heating up due to friction with my crazy last minute calcuations. Realizing that the first 5 questions all relied on getting the previous one correct, my heart rate jumped well into triple figures. I finished just in time, but it all payed off, I got 100% Woohoo
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I have decided to knock out a couple of the more basic tests next so am working my way through Human factors (Human Performance).
Same process as before, reading through the Jeremy Pratt book and taking notes. This time however, I've noticed that there is a lot more text that you can just read through quickly and there is only a few sections where you have to stop and take notes, i.e when the book starts referring to detail or facts & figures such as amount of time of useful consciousness at different altitudes etc etc.
I read about a third of the book last night, with brief note taking at relevant sections, and then took a 30 question test on 'The Great Circle' app on my iPhone and scored 90%!!
Although this test will clearly be easier than Air Law I still want to understand the subject thoroughly as there is obviously some key things about the way humans behave and perform whilst flying which will lead to a safer and happier pilot in the long run if fully understood.
I will finish this book by the weekend, sit the test on Sunday and feed back then.......
Same process as before, reading through the Jeremy Pratt book and taking notes. This time however, I've noticed that there is a lot more text that you can just read through quickly and there is only a few sections where you have to stop and take notes, i.e when the book starts referring to detail or facts & figures such as amount of time of useful consciousness at different altitudes etc etc.
I read about a third of the book last night, with brief note taking at relevant sections, and then took a 30 question test on 'The Great Circle' app on my iPhone and scored 90%!!
Although this test will clearly be easier than Air Law I still want to understand the subject thoroughly as there is obviously some key things about the way humans behave and perform whilst flying which will lead to a safer and happier pilot in the long run if fully understood.
I will finish this book by the weekend, sit the test on Sunday and feed back then.......
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Quick update on the thoery tests.
The day after my Air Law exam I started studying for the Human Performance test and after 5 days of studying I was hitting 95% average scores on the HP app on my iPhone. This time round I definitely didn't take as many notes as with Air Law as this subject is certainly more straight forward and very often just common sense.
I took the test 5 days after starting studying for HP and passed with 100% score in just 6 minutes. All in all a very straight forward exam and as with Air Law the questions were almost identical to those on the Questions and Answers Simplifier book.
The following day I started studying through Meteorology. I've been studying for 4 days now, very extensively in the evenings and all last weekend and am about 50% of the way through the Met book. This subject is significantly harder than HP and much harder than Air Law too as it's not just about learning and remembering details and info, you really do need to understand what you're reading and so I find myself going back through a chapter once I have read it and taken comprehensive notes. A much more interesting subject that is for sure, but also more complex. My brain feels frazzled right now, but I will keep grinding it out and am hoping to sit the exam on Sunday if I feel ready.
I must say, one thing I am particularly impressed with is Jeremy Pratts books. He takes a very logical and sequential approach which enables you to build up your knowledge of the subject gradually and methodically. I would certainly recommend his books to anyone doing their PPL.
One final point for now, if you think gaining a PPL will be easy and you can just fluff your way through, think again. Subjects such as Nav and Met do require lots of hard work and you will of course need to understand these topics well. If you put the time and effort in though, and are committed you will get through just fine.
I'll update hopefully on Sunday after the test.
The day after my Air Law exam I started studying for the Human Performance test and after 5 days of studying I was hitting 95% average scores on the HP app on my iPhone. This time round I definitely didn't take as many notes as with Air Law as this subject is certainly more straight forward and very often just common sense.
I took the test 5 days after starting studying for HP and passed with 100% score in just 6 minutes. All in all a very straight forward exam and as with Air Law the questions were almost identical to those on the Questions and Answers Simplifier book.
The following day I started studying through Meteorology. I've been studying for 4 days now, very extensively in the evenings and all last weekend and am about 50% of the way through the Met book. This subject is significantly harder than HP and much harder than Air Law too as it's not just about learning and remembering details and info, you really do need to understand what you're reading and so I find myself going back through a chapter once I have read it and taken comprehensive notes. A much more interesting subject that is for sure, but also more complex. My brain feels frazzled right now, but I will keep grinding it out and am hoping to sit the exam on Sunday if I feel ready.
I must say, one thing I am particularly impressed with is Jeremy Pratts books. He takes a very logical and sequential approach which enables you to build up your knowledge of the subject gradually and methodically. I would certainly recommend his books to anyone doing their PPL.
One final point for now, if you think gaining a PPL will be easy and you can just fluff your way through, think again. Subjects such as Nav and Met do require lots of hard work and you will of course need to understand these topics well. If you put the time and effort in though, and are committed you will get through just fine.
I'll update hopefully on Sunday after the test.
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facts & figures such as amount of time of useful consciousness at different altitudes
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Fair point, but I guess I'm just saying that to learn those types of facts for the tests you might want to make notes. That's how I seem to take things in the best anyway, and of course my study techniques might not be the best for other people.
Quick update.... Am onto page 112 (Thunderstorms) of 180 pages in the Met book and decided to do the 3 example exams in the Q&A Simplifier book and got 100%, 100% , and 95% test scores so that has been a real confidence booster.
Am feeling almost ready for the actual exam on Sunday so will definitely have a go. Will post back afterwards.
Quick update.... Am onto page 112 (Thunderstorms) of 180 pages in the Met book and decided to do the 3 example exams in the Q&A Simplifier book and got 100%, 100% , and 95% test scores so that has been a real confidence booster.
Am feeling almost ready for the actual exam on Sunday so will definitely have a go. Will post back afterwards.
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I've been meaning to do these exams for ages... I have an FAA PPL and need to do all the JAR exams to convert it (less than 100hrs loggable TT).
So this is very useful stuff, thank you ct8282 and keep it coming!
So this is very useful stuff, thank you ct8282 and keep it coming!
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Update ladies and gents. I took the Meteorology test this morning and passed with a 90% score.
As good as this result is I was disappointed to have missed out on 100% for the following reasons. The first question I got wrong was indeed Q1 and I knew that my answer was incorrect and was tempted to change it from a to c, which was indeed the correct answer, but something was niggling in my mind that you should always stick with your gut instinct as it's usually correct. Sadly this time it was not, lol.
The second question I got wrong was regarding the change in direction and strength of the wind at an inland airfield compared to the wind at 2000ft. The quoted wind at surface level was 170/05 and you had to choose the correct wind conditions at 2000ft.
The options were as follows:
a) 270/40
b) 210/20
c) 270/30
d) 210/10
I will leave this open for debate to see what you guys put, but needless to say the answer I chose was apparently wrong. However, I was so sure that my answer was correct that I challenged this with the Chief Flying Instructor at the club and he agrees that my answer is more accurate.
Anyway, splitting hairs springs to mind and I passed so it doesn't matter.
In summary then: This subject was definitely more involved and complicated than Air Law and Human Performance. You really do need to properly understand the subject matter contained within each section of the book before you move on to the next, and in particular the first couple of sections which introcude different air masses, weather fronts, pressures etc etc which are the fundamentals to the rest of the book itself. Make sure you spend enough time on these early sections and that you completely understand it all before moving on as this will make life easier as you progress through the book.
I would say that there isn't really much, if anything, in the Meteorology book that you can skim past quickly like there was in the Human Performance book. You do need to make sure you at least properly read all of the Met book, and where possible take good comprehensive notes to help push the information into your mind. Also, Once you have completed reading and note taking for a chaper/section, go back through and quickly read the whole section again as this will just further push the info into your long term memory.
As always, these study techniques may not necessarily work for others, but if you consider that I passed Air Law after just 1 week of study with 95%, HP after 5 days of study with 100%, and Meteorology after 1 week of study with 90% you can see that this technique, albeit slightly long and painful at times, does work, and if you're serious about this flying lark you'll be prepared to put the time in as I have, and will get the rewards you deserve. Also not only will you pass the tests but you'll also have a good understanding the theory side of flying which will make you a better pilot in the long run.
Right, onto Nav. Updates to follow......
As good as this result is I was disappointed to have missed out on 100% for the following reasons. The first question I got wrong was indeed Q1 and I knew that my answer was incorrect and was tempted to change it from a to c, which was indeed the correct answer, but something was niggling in my mind that you should always stick with your gut instinct as it's usually correct. Sadly this time it was not, lol.
The second question I got wrong was regarding the change in direction and strength of the wind at an inland airfield compared to the wind at 2000ft. The quoted wind at surface level was 170/05 and you had to choose the correct wind conditions at 2000ft.
The options were as follows:
a) 270/40
b) 210/20
c) 270/30
d) 210/10
I will leave this open for debate to see what you guys put, but needless to say the answer I chose was apparently wrong. However, I was so sure that my answer was correct that I challenged this with the Chief Flying Instructor at the club and he agrees that my answer is more accurate.
Anyway, splitting hairs springs to mind and I passed so it doesn't matter.
In summary then: This subject was definitely more involved and complicated than Air Law and Human Performance. You really do need to properly understand the subject matter contained within each section of the book before you move on to the next, and in particular the first couple of sections which introcude different air masses, weather fronts, pressures etc etc which are the fundamentals to the rest of the book itself. Make sure you spend enough time on these early sections and that you completely understand it all before moving on as this will make life easier as you progress through the book.
I would say that there isn't really much, if anything, in the Meteorology book that you can skim past quickly like there was in the Human Performance book. You do need to make sure you at least properly read all of the Met book, and where possible take good comprehensive notes to help push the information into your mind. Also, Once you have completed reading and note taking for a chaper/section, go back through and quickly read the whole section again as this will just further push the info into your long term memory.
As always, these study techniques may not necessarily work for others, but if you consider that I passed Air Law after just 1 week of study with 95%, HP after 5 days of study with 100%, and Meteorology after 1 week of study with 90% you can see that this technique, albeit slightly long and painful at times, does work, and if you're serious about this flying lark you'll be prepared to put the time in as I have, and will get the rewards you deserve. Also not only will you pass the tests but you'll also have a good understanding the theory side of flying which will make you a better pilot in the long run.
Right, onto Nav. Updates to follow......
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Congratulations on the pass!
From 2,000' to the ground the wind 'backs and slacks'.
Reversing that rule (from ground to 2,000') it veers and strengthens.
As a rule of thumb, add 30 degs, and double the strength (which in my experience works rather better than the met office forecast). So 200 degs 10 knots would be my estimate.
Nearest answer to that is 210/10.
I recall you are supposed to do something different over the sea or at night.
From 2,000' to the ground the wind 'backs and slacks'.
Reversing that rule (from ground to 2,000') it veers and strengthens.
As a rule of thumb, add 30 degs, and double the strength (which in my experience works rather better than the met office forecast). So 200 degs 10 knots would be my estimate.
Nearest answer to that is 210/10.
I recall you are supposed to do something different over the sea or at night.
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Veers and strengthens, I would have gone for 210/10. I was always taught (gliding stuff, the weather is different for powered........) that it veers 30 at 3,000 and doubles. At 2,000 I think probably 195/8 or so.
) that it veers 30 at 3,000 and doubles. At 2,000 I think probably 195/8 or so.
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Indeed indeed. I put 210/10 as my answer but according to the answer sheet the correct answer should have been 210/20.
I challenged this as everything I have studied suggests backing of 30deg and reduction od wind strength of up to 50%. The closer answer would then be 210/10 but the answer sheet disagrees.
After discussing this with the Chief Flying Instructor he eventually agreed that my answer was correct and the official answer was wrong. Oh well, I'll give myself 95% this time then..... lol.
I challenged this as everything I have studied suggests backing of 30deg and reduction od wind strength of up to 50%. The closer answer would then be 210/10 but the answer sheet disagrees.
After discussing this with the Chief Flying Instructor he eventually agreed that my answer was correct and the official answer was wrong. Oh well, I'll give myself 95% this time then..... lol.
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I think 210 is way off the mark as well, should have been 200 or less IMO. Not that I'm a met expert. I always liked what Billy Connoly said about weather forecasters 'What they fer exactly? If I want to know what the ******* weather is I look oot the ******* window'.
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Yep, looks like we're in agreement on this one. 210/20 was wrong. Oh well.
Right, update on the studying. I have decided to spend a couple of days at Cambridge next weekend doing ground schooling for Aircraft General, Flight Planning, and Nav. The course is £225 for the 2 days, includes lunch and a guaranteed pass on the 3 subjects. Will of course be a long 2 days but to be honest, I have studied non stop for the last 3 exams and I'm feeling a little tired, what with balancing a full time job, house work, cooking, life etc etc so I've decided to get those 3 exams done and out the way. This will leave only the RT test which I'll do out in America when I go for my PPL.
I will of course update you all on those 3 exams when I'm done.
Best of luck with your studies peeps
Right, update on the studying. I have decided to spend a couple of days at Cambridge next weekend doing ground schooling for Aircraft General, Flight Planning, and Nav. The course is £225 for the 2 days, includes lunch and a guaranteed pass on the 3 subjects. Will of course be a long 2 days but to be honest, I have studied non stop for the last 3 exams and I'm feeling a little tired, what with balancing a full time job, house work, cooking, life etc etc so I've decided to get those 3 exams done and out the way. This will leave only the RT test which I'll do out in America when I go for my PPL.
I will of course update you all on those 3 exams when I'm done.
Best of luck with your studies peeps
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Hey ct8282,
How the hell did you manage read through Air law. I keep trying to get started on it and can't muster myself to read it. Im an engineering student so maybe my brain just cant deal with so many words. So instead i skipped onto Flight Planning and Performance. Like you i read pratt and the Q and A. Im getting 80%-90% scores so i know ive grasped the majortiy of material. I will go over again and make notes on each topic however.
I am planning on buying the airquiz.co.uk exam papers and the PPL perfector as it seems to be recieveing rave reviews.
How the hell did you manage read through Air law. I keep trying to get started on it and can't muster myself to read it. Im an engineering student so maybe my brain just cant deal with so many words. So instead i skipped onto Flight Planning and Performance. Like you i read pratt and the Q and A. Im getting 80%-90% scores so i know ive grasped the majortiy of material. I will go over again and make notes on each topic however.
I am planning on buying the airquiz.co.uk exam papers and the PPL perfector as it seems to be recieveing rave reviews.
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Air Law is a matter of perserverance, i wanted to pass and studied hard because i never wanted to do the exam again. i was dissapointed i only got 88% i put in nearly double the hours for Air Law than i did for the other exams (except met)
Its dry and boring but i did get to use it straight away, we had a leeettle crash at my arifeild, media tuned up wanting the story,... i told him since i had witnessed the 'crash' i crould not legally comment and showed him the section in the Volume 1.... take that!
The pilot survived, not injured. The same day about 10KM away a person was killed and two seriously injured in a road crash,.. it was barely reported, the 'Crash' was front page.
Its dry and boring but i did get to use it straight away, we had a leeettle crash at my arifeild, media tuned up wanting the story,... i told him since i had witnessed the 'crash' i crould not legally comment and showed him the section in the Volume 1.... take that!
The pilot survived, not injured. The same day about 10KM away a person was killed and two seriously injured in a road crash,.. it was barely reported, the 'Crash' was front page.