Knowing how to pass the A&P written test starts with understanding what you’re actually walking into. There are three separate knowledge exams, a strict sequence, and a passing threshold that can follow you into the oral phase if you treat it as the finish line instead of the floor.
Get the structure right first, then build the study plan around it.
What the A&P Written Test Actually Covers
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires three written knowledge tests before you can sit for the oral and practical exams. You must pass General first, then Airframe and/or Powerplant. You cannot take the Airframe or Powerplant written until the General is done.
| Exam | Questions | Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| General (AMG) | 60 | 2 hours |
| Airframe (AMA) | 100 | 2 hours |
| Powerplant (AMP) | 100 | 2 hours |
Per the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix
Every question pulls from the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and the FAA’s AMT Handbooks. These documents are the source material the test is built from, not general references.
Content by exam breaks down roughly like this:
- General covers electricity, physics, weight and balance, FAA regulations, and maintenance fundamentals that apply across both ratings.
- Airframe focuses on aircraft structures, hydraulics, landing gear, flight control systems, and sheet metal work.
- Powerplant covers reciprocating and turbine engines, fuel systems, ignition systems, and engine inspection procedures.
The 70% FAA Written Passing Score Is Not Your Target
Per 14 CFR § 65.17, the minimum passing grade on each written exam is 70%. That means on the 100-question Airframe or Powerplant exam, you can miss up to 30 questions and still pass. On the 60-question General, you can miss 18.
The problem is what those misses cost you later. Your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) lists an ACS code for every question you got wrong. When you sit for the oral exam, your Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) uses that report to generate additional questions specifically targeting your missed codes.
A score of 70% on the Airframe written can produce up to 34 extra oral questions. Score 100% and the DME asks the minimum. The written score does not stay in the written phase. It shapes the entire certification process.
Aim to score in the mid-to-high 80s on practice tests before scheduling the real exam. A gap between practice scores and live test performance is common, and scoring comfortably above 70% in practice gives you room to absorb that difference without falling short.
How to Study for the FAA Written Test
A structured approach beats a marathon session every time. These four habits are commonly associated with higher first-attempt performance.
Use the ACS as Your FAA Written Exam Study Guide
The ACS is not a summary document. It lists every knowledge element, risk management task, and skill area you can be tested on, organized by subject code. If a topic does not appear in the ACS, it will not appear on the exam. Work through it section by section and flag anything you cannot explain from memory.
Read the FAA AMT Handbooks
The FAA AMT Handbooks are the direct source the test writers use, available as free downloads from the FAA. Skim sections you already know, but read fully any section covering material you cannot recall in detail. Third-party summaries are not a substitute.
Run Timed Practice Tests Early
Timed A&P written test practice tests are more useful than untimed review. Start taking them before you feel fully ready. The goal is not to memorize correct answers. The question bank rotates, and the FAA keeps the active bank private. The goal is to identify which subject areas cost you points under time pressure so you can target those before test day.
Treat Your AKTR Like a Study Guide
If you have already taken one of the three exams and fallen short of where you want to be, pull your AKTR and go straight to the missed ACS codes. Each code maps to a specific subject element. That list is more useful than a generic review because it tells you exactly where your knowledge has gaps.
A&P Airframe Written Test Questions
The A&P airframe written test questions cover a wider range of systems than most first-time test takers expect:
- Aircraft structures, hydraulics, and pneumatics
- Fuel systems, electrical systems, and landing gear
- Flight controls, sheet metal fabrication, and composite repair
- Aircraft weight and balance
A few patterns worth noting:
- Electrical circuit questions (Ohm’s law calculations, voltage drops, wire sizing) appear consistently. If math has been a weak spot, work through those problems with a calculator before test day. Calculators are permitted on the exam.
- Regulation questions test your knowledge of FAA maintenance documentation requirements, airworthiness directives, and inspection procedures. These are straightforward if you know the regs and a trap if you are guessing.
- Diagram-based questions ask you to read schematics or identify components. These require pattern recognition built through repetition, not memorization.
What Happens If You Fail the FAA Written Test
Failing one of the three exams does not reset the process. Your completed exams remain valid for 24 calendar months, so a failure on Airframe does not undo a passing General score.
Two paths to retesting:
- Wait 30 days. Bring your failed AKTR to the testing center. No additional documentation required.
- Retest before 30 days. Present your failed AKTR and a signed statement from a certificated mechanic holding the rating you are seeking. That statement must confirm you received additional instruction in each subject area you failed and that the certifier considers you ready to retest.
Students enrolled in an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician school have direct access to instructors who can provide that endorsement. The 30-day wait is avoidable if you put in the work and get the sign-off.
Free Resources for A&P Mechanic Practice Questions
The FAA publishes free sample question sets for each written exam, organized by the same ACS codes used on the actual test. These are a reliable proxy for real exam content and available at no cost.
Beyond official FAA materials:
- The FAA-H-8083 handbook series covers every subject area tested across all three exams and is available as free PDFs.
- Multiple practice test platforms pull from the known ACS question bank structure. Paid options typically include full airframe written test question bank access, progress tracking by subject area, and timed exam simulation.
- One word of caution on older materials: the FAA updated the test structure when it transitioned from Practical Test Standards (PTS) to the ACS format, with changes effective August 2023. Prep books and video courses published before that date may reference outdated test standards.
Ready to Train for the A&P?
If you are working toward your A&P certificate, Aviation Institute of Maintenance’s Aviation Maintenance Technician program prepares students to pursue the written, oral, and practical exams through hands-on lab work and structured instruction. Request information to learn about enrollment and upcoming start dates.
