Failed most of my ATPL exams, what should I do?
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
From: Birmingham
I am modular DTO. My DTO will not let you take the exams prior to 2 mock passes per subject. So again as others have aired, its strange you seem to have been put forward before being ready and cetainly without mocks in hand.
I over do it a tad, partly because of 2 reasons:
1. Because some resources do not really cover, explain or simply brush over the principles. To fill in the gaps I use a range of books, online material and BGS question banks. This I find helps with exam question familiarity, identify areas of weakness and iron out any creases, as it were.
2. Despite being quite academic, I am mildley dyslexic so utilise the sources, to understand and cement knowledge. However it may take me a little longer to absorb than some.
I truly wish the best with your future dont give up!
I over do it a tad, partly because of 2 reasons:
1. Because some resources do not really cover, explain or simply brush over the principles. To fill in the gaps I use a range of books, online material and BGS question banks. This I find helps with exam question familiarity, identify areas of weakness and iron out any creases, as it were.
2. Despite being quite academic, I am mildley dyslexic so utilise the sources, to understand and cement knowledge. However it may take me a little longer to absorb than some.
I truly wish the best with your future dont give up!
Joined: Nov 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,144
Likes: 741
From: UK
Not really. Have another read of the OP's exam failure record......not good.
That doesn't mean the OP is a bad person, or even a bad pilot, necessarily.
BUT, in aviation, pilots have to assimilate and pass many many tests and exams throughout their professional career - and be able to quickly assimilate weather reports and NOTAMS for the length of a sector, or an ETOPS sector, for example. So an ability to absorb information and regurgitate correctly it is pretty essential. If you don't have the ability to do that you will not make the grade.
As others have suggested, the OP is somehow not studying correctly, or not practising mock exams, or home life is too distracting etc etc. As I said up-thread, you basically have to study full time, AND also a lot of time away from the classroom - I studied from 0700- 2200 every weekday for about a year, (except when I was actually flying).
Your flying school chief tutor should be able to help you, and you can also ask them why you were put forward for the exams during the meeting. Remember, you are their customer: they work for you.
That doesn't mean the OP is a bad person, or even a bad pilot, necessarily.
BUT, in aviation, pilots have to assimilate and pass many many tests and exams throughout their professional career - and be able to quickly assimilate weather reports and NOTAMS for the length of a sector, or an ETOPS sector, for example. So an ability to absorb information and regurgitate correctly it is pretty essential. If you don't have the ability to do that you will not make the grade.
As others have suggested, the OP is somehow not studying correctly, or not practising mock exams, or home life is too distracting etc etc. As I said up-thread, you basically have to study full time, AND also a lot of time away from the classroom - I studied from 0700- 2200 every weekday for about a year, (except when I was actually flying).
Your flying school chief tutor should be able to help you, and you can also ask them why you were put forward for the exams during the meeting. Remember, you are their customer: they work for you.
Joined: Nov 2025
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: Birmingham
I don’t disagree with what you have said. But one thing is looking at material pertinent to flying and the other is memorising how many light bars there are on a CAT III ILS or how many hours after an injury constitutes an accident.
I have found that the ATPL syllabus is more of a tick box exercise of memorising a lot of pointless facts as opposed to genuinely useful material.
I have found that the ATPL syllabus is more of a tick box exercise of memorising a lot of pointless facts as opposed to genuinely useful material.
Joined: Sep 2025
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
From: Dublin
Appalling comment and unnecessary.
As Professor Carole Dweck teaches, there is no such thing as a fail, its just not a pass, YET!
QUOTE — The Power of 'Yet': A key concept is the "power of yet." When a student says, "I can't do this," Dweck suggests adding "yet." This subtle shift reframes the struggle as temporary and places the person on a learning continuum, indicating that mastery is possible through time and effort.
As Professor Carole Dweck teaches, there is no such thing as a fail, its just not a pass, YET!
QUOTE — The Power of 'Yet': A key concept is the "power of yet." When a student says, "I can't do this," Dweck suggests adding "yet." This subtle shift reframes the struggle as temporary and places the person on a learning continuum, indicating that mastery is possible through time and effort.
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: N. Ireland
As others have suggested, the OP is somehow not studying correctly, or not practising mock exams, or home life is too distracting etc etc. As I said up-thread, you basically have to study full time, AND also a lot of time away from the classroom - I studied from 0700- 2200 every weekday for about a year, (except when I was actually flying).
Can I ask how common that is today or was it pre-question banks? It seems much longer than the 6 months of intensive study that I see mentioned on here. Even then would that brute force method of learning not be very inefficient? Curious as the ATPL puts me off from pursuing this career more than anything.
Joined: Sep 2022
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 328
Likes: 183
From: Perpetually circling OCK for some reason
Can I ask how common that is today or was it pre-question banks? It seems much longer than the 6 months of intensive study that I see mentioned on here. Even then would that brute force method of learning not be very inefficient? Curious as the ATPL puts me off from pursuing this career more than anything.
If a few months of hard learning puts you off you’re in for a shock as a lot of this job is learning - often self led, often quite dry topics.
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 154
Likes: 90
From: Finland
Can I ask how common that is today or was it pre-question banks? It seems much longer than the 6 months of intensive study that I see mentioned on here. Even then would that brute force method of learning not be very inefficient? Curious as the ATPL puts me off from pursuing this career more than anything.
I spent maybe 4-5 months, 5 days/week, 8 hours/day. Your milage may vary. ATPL-exams are just a speedbump to ward off the uncommited.
Joined: Apr 2006
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 22
Likes: 10
From: Yorkshire
Can I ask how common that is today or was it pre-question banks? It seems much longer than the 6 months of intensive study that I see mentioned on here. Even then would that brute force method of learning not be very inefficient? Curious as the ATPL puts me off from pursuing this career more than anything.
