FAA Airman Knowledge Test (“Written”) Statistics

Updated May 23, 2026

Have you ever wondered which FAA Airman Knowledge Test (“written”) is the most difficult? We parsed recently-released 2025 FAA data to find out the latest trends. (Update: we also have gone back to 2016 to get an idea of long-term trends — scroll down to see these numbers!).

For ease of reading, we’ve separated the data in this first section into Pilot Certificate and Rating Tests, Flight Instructor Tests, and Ground Instructor TestsNote that these pass rates and average scores do not differentiate between initial takes and retakes. We’ve also focused on the most common tests; where more than 200 of each test was administered. If you’re interested in other test results (e.g., Commercial Gyroplane), scroll to the tables at the bottom of the page.. 

In 2025, initial certification (Sport and Private Pilot) written tests proved to be more difficult than advanced certificates and ratings, continuing a trend we’ve observed in previous years of FAA data. The more advanced the test, generally, the higher the pass rate and higher the average score. 

“Difficult” is the term we’re using to describe a test with low pass rates and low average score. Obviously, tests for advanced certificates contain more complex material than those for initial/primary certificates.

Pilot Certificate and Rating Tests

As in recent years, in 2025, the Private Pilot Helicopter (81.57%) and Private Pilot Airplane (81.64%) tests had the lowest average score out of all of the common FAA pilot certificate and rating tests. The Private Pilot Glider test had the lowest pass rate (87.75%), followed by the Private Pilot Airplane test (89.56%). 

In 2025, the Private Pilot Airplane and Private Pilot Glider tests both saw decreases (-1.25% and -2.93%, respectively) in average scores when compared to 2024. These two tests also saw decreases in pass rate (-2.34% and -2.07%, respectively).

Sport Pilot Airplane candidates did much better on their writtens in 2025 than in the previous year, improving their average score by 1.25% and pass rate by 5.21%. 

The Instrument Rating (for both Airplane and Helicopter) is often said to be a challenging test, yet judging by both average score and pass rates, Instrument Rating tests are significantly less difficult then their Private Pilot counterparts.

Tests with a >99% pass rate in 2025 include the Commercial Pilot Airplane (99.05%) and ATP-Multi Airplane (99.82%). One might wonder what purpose these tests serve if they are being passed by more than 99 out of every 100 test-takers; with average scores in the 90% or greater range. 

 VolumeAverage ScoreVersus 2024Pass RateVersus 2024
Private Pilot Helicopter93981.57%-2.93%89.88%-2.07%
Private Pilot Airplane44,65781.64%-1.25%89.56%-2.34%
Private Pilot Glider25384.37%-0.64%87.75%0.37%
Instrument Rating Helicopter59784.47%-0.09%94.14%1.18%
Instrument Rating Airplane27,14386.15%0.51%94.38%0.14%
Sport Pilot Airplane42086.64%1.25%96.90%5.21%
Commercial Pilot Helicopter71588.65%-1.28%98.74%-0.31%
Commercial Pilot Airplane20,53091.25%0.23%99.17%-0.10%
Military Competence Non-Category2,90792.06%2.54%98.49%0.04%
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135)30392.97%-1.02%98.35%-1.65%
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane9,97294.79%1.09%99.82%0.08%

Flight Instructor Tests

The Flight Instructor Airplane test was the most difficult of the common flight instructor tests (>200 administrations) in 2025, with an average score of 88.89% and a pass rate of 95.35%.

Not shown is the Flight Instructor Sport Airplane test, notable for a 100% pass rate; yet just an 84.87% passing score. Only 17 Sport Pilot Airplane Instructor tests were administered in 2025, so the sample size is extremely small. Expect this number to increase dramatically in 2026 as MOSAIC’s adoption will encourage more people to seek CFI-Sport Pilot privileges.

As with the advanced pilot certificates mentioned above, one might again question if the Flight Instructor written tests, especially the (required at all levels) Fundamentals of Instructing and Flight Instructor Instrument (both Airplane and Helicopter) test, are providing a useful level of discrimination, as they are passed at extremely high rates (all >98.8%) with average scores well above 90%.

The failure rate on Flight Instructor practical tests is much higher than on the corresponding written tests.  Many, if not most, failures on Flight Instructor practical exams are a result of a lack of knowledge and teaching skills, not a lack of flying aptitude. One could speculate that the various written tests are not effectively weeding out unqualified candidates prior to checkride.

 VolumeAverage ScoreVersus 2024Pass RateVersus 2024
Flight Instructor Airplane14,73688.89%0.54%95.35%0.30%
Flight Instructor Helicopter52090.01%0.47%98.27%-0.13%
Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter39791.92%1.13%99.50%0.66%
Fundamentals of Instructing14,84692.13%1.22%99.07%-0.42%
Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane12,78192.49%1.05%98.88%0.37%
Military Competence Instructor1,02896.02%0.95%99.22%-0.16%

Ground Instructor Tests

In 2025, Ground Instructor tests returned to the pattern that predominated prior to 2024; lower scores and pass rates on the Ground Instructor (Basic) exam, and higher scores and pass rates for Ground Instructor (Advanced) and Ground Instructor Instrument. 

We suspect that the Ground Instructor (Basic) and Ground Instructor (Advanced) question banks were modified heavily in 2024. 2024’s scores and pass rates were significantly lower than in 2023 and previous years. 

The “bounceback” is seen in 2025’s data, especially when compared directly to data from 2024. Is this a result of the FAA revising the question banks yet again, or perhaps commercial test prep software has adapted to the new questions?

  Volume Average Score Versus 2024 Pass Rate Versus 2024
Ground Instructor (Basic) 41 75.34% 6.81% 70.73% 14.28%
Ground Instructor (Advanced) 2,694 89.20% 9.52% 97.29% 29.82%
Ground Instructor Instrument 2,751 93.11% 0.11% 99.71% 0.13%

Long-Term Trend Data

We’ve scraped data from the FAA’s yearly reports (available here) to look for any notable long-term trends. You can view the raw data tables of average scores, pass rates, and test administrations below, or download an Excel spreadsheet here

Long-Term Trends: Average Scores

Average scores on the most common knowledge tests are generally trending up. The Airline Transport Pilot test saw an increase in average score from 87.5% in 2016 to 94.9% in 2025 (a 7.4% increase). The Instrument Rating Airplane test average score went from 79.6% in 2016 to 86.2% in 2025 (a 6.6% increase). Other tests saw more modest increases of a few percent.

However, the Private Pilot Airplane average score dropped slightly over the 2016-2025 time period, declining from 82.7% in 2016 to 81.6% in 2025 (a decrease of 1.1%).

Long-Term Trends: Pass Rates

Pass rates for the most common knowledge tests have generally increased slightly over the period from 2016 and 2025. The Instrument Rating Airplane shows the biggest change, rising from an 86.3% pass rate in 2016 to a 94.3% pass rate in 2025. Most other tests show minor increases, on the order of a few percentage points, in pass rates over the period.

The pass rate for the Private Pilot Airplane test actually decreased slightly; from 90% in 2016 to 89.6% in 2025.

Knowledge Test Average Score by Test, 2016-2025​

TEST NAMETEST CODE2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Aircraft DispatcherADX76.6%77.1%76.6%78.1%78.8%79.0%79.0%79.9%80.9%80.6%
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine AirplaneATM87.6%90.4%91.9%92.3%92.8%94.6%95.1%93.5%93.7%94.8%
Airline Transport Pilot Single Engine Airplane (135)ATS77.9%81.7%81.5%84.0%87.5%88.4%88.8%88.9%88.1%91.6%
Airline Transport Pilot Airplane (14 CFR part 135) (Added Rating)ARA70.0%
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane Canadian ConversionACM84.7%85.7%86.1%85.6%89.3%92.1%92.3%93.7%94.0%95.5%
Airline Transport Pilot Single Engine Airplane Canadian ConversionASC78.0%80.0%85.0%86.7%95.0%86.0%90.0%
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135)ATH89.6%90.0%92.0%91.8%92.1%92.1%92.8%93.3%94.0%93.0%
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) (Added Rating)ARH84.3%83.3%84.8%91.2%89.9%89.7%89.1%91.8%86.5%90.7%
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionACH76.7%80.6%83.5%86.6%80.9%82.1%82.5%81.5%81.0%84.4%
Aviation Maintenance Technician AirframeAMA79.8%80.2%79.8%78.9%76.4%75.7%75.8%75.7%75.4%75.9%
Aviation Maintenance Technician GeneralAMG80.7%78.7%76.4%75.4%75.0%75.2%75.3%74.8%74.3%74.0%
Aviation Maintenance Technician PowerplantAMP76.8%77.2%76.8%76.5%74.6%73.6%73.7%73.8%73.1%72.6%
Commercial Pilot AirplaneCAX85.4%82.8%84.5%86.3%87.3%87.2%88.1%89.1%91.0%91.3%
Commercial Pilot Airplane Canadian ConversionCCP85.1%83.2%84.1%83.8%84.3%84.4%85.7%85.8%87.3%85.9%
Commercial Pilot AirshipCLA29.0%90.0%79.0%47.0%82.7%
Commercial Pilot Balloon – GasCBG
Commercial Pilot Balloon – Hot AirCBH87.8%84.6%83.0%84.3%84.2%83.8%83.4%83.2%81.8%83.3%
Commercial Pilot GliderCGX91.1%85.9%87.9%89.2%86.8%85.6%89.2%88.9%88.1%88.8%
Commercial Pilot GyroplaneCRG86.0%89.0%87.0%71.0%90.5%76.0%83.3%87.0%84.6%79.7%
Commercial Pilot HelicopterCRH86.8%85.3%84.1%85.2%86.8%87.0%88.0%88.6%89.9%88.7%
Commercial Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionCCH83.3%83.9%83.0%83.5%86.3%84.6%82.8%83.9%85.3%84.1%
Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Added Rating)FER80.0%82.0%92.0%72.0%83.0%78.0%78.0%
Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Basic)FEN90.5%88.7%94.3%93.0%88.8%80.0%90.1%93.5%85.3%84.7%
Flight Engineer Turbojet (Added Rating)FEJ80.0%84.0%
Flight Engineer Turbojet (Basic)FEX90.3%88.5%85.8%90.9%94.7%88.7%90.6%93.1%82.0%91.3%
Flight Engineer Turboprop (Added Rating)FEP86.0%83.0%81.3%80.0%61.0%
Flight Engineer Turboprop (Basic)FET87.0%82.1%86.3%86.3%84.0%87.8%86.8%86.8%86.6%90.1%
Flight Instructor AirplaneFIA85.0%86.1%86.9%88.1%88.7%87.8%87.3%88.1%88.4%88.9%
Flight Instructor Airplane (Added Rating)AFA84.4%85.1%84.7%83.7%84.8%84.0%83.0%83.3%83.7%81.2%
Flight Instructor GliderFIG88.9%87.4%87.6%86.4%86.3%86.4%85.5%86.3%87.0%86.1%
Flight Instructor Glider (Added Rating)AFG84.6%86.1%85.7%86.1%85.5%85.1%82.0%86.4%83.5%84.9%
Flight Instructor GyroplaneFRG91.0%89.8%77.0%94.0%91.0%83.5%84.0%83.0%73.3%80.4%
Flight Instructor Gyroplane (Added Rating)GFA84.0%73.5%89.1%89.6%93.6%90.0%88.5%89.5%86.9%84.7%
Flight Instructor HelicopterFRH86.1%86.9%88.2%87.9%88.7%88.0%87.0%87.4%89.5%90.0%
Flight Instructor Helicopter (Added Rating)HFA87.4%89.4%90.9%88.8%90.8%86.5%91.4%86.5%88.5%89.6%
Flight Instructor Instrument AirplaneFII87.3%88.6%90.0%90.6%91.3%91.3%91.0%91.3%91.4%92.5%
Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (Added Rating)AIF83.3%86.0%85.3%88.7%89.3%90.0%88.1%91.3%89.9%90.2%
Flight Instructor Instrument HelicopterFIH86.6%87.6%88.3%88.1%89.8%90.2%90.5%90.3%90.9%91.9%
Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter (Added Rating)HIF83.3%85.3%80.0%82.5%86.6%85.8%84.4%83.5%85.0%89.4%
Flight Instructor Sport AirplaneSIA85.8%83.9%86.6%85.4%83.8%87.6%86.2%82.9%85.4%84.9%
Flight Instructor Sport BalloonSIB
Flight Instructor Sport GliderSIG70.0%94.3%
Flight Instructor Sport GyroplaneSIY79.3%83.0%78.7%88.5%81.0%73.3%70.0%71.0%84.5%72.9%
Flight Instructor Sport Helicopter – Simplified Flight ControlsIHF
Flight Instructor Sport Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)SIL
Flight Instructor Sport Powered ParachuteSIP83.6%88.7%76.0%77.3%81.0%77.5%80.0%89.0%74.5%77.3%
Flight Instructor Sport Weight-Shift-ControlSIW88.4%81.7%83.7%86.0%89.4%81.0%85.0%89.0%78.6%
Flight NavigatorFNX93.5%95.0%92.5%
Fundamentals of InstructingFOI86.5%87.6%88.6%89.1%89.5%89.8%90.2%90.5%90.8%92.1%
Ground Instructor (Advanced)AGI86.9%87.2%87.9%88.4%89.1%88.5%87.1%88.3%79.7%89.2%
Ground Instructor (Basic)BGI79.3%75.4%79.1%74.1%75.5%78.9%73.5%72.2%68.5%75.3%
Ground Instructor InstrumentIGI87.5%88.8%89.7%90.0%91.6%92.0%92.2%92.4%93.0%93.1%
Inspection AuthorizationIAR82.7%82.6%86.1%86.3%87.0%86.2%85.1%85.5%86.2%85.4%
Instrument Rating AirplaneIRA79.6%81.6%83.6%84.8%85.8%85.7%86.2%85.8%85.6%86.2%
Instrument Rating Airplane Canadian ConversionICP85.5%85.3%86.8%85.5%88.4%87.6%86.9%87.1%87.7%87.2%
Instrument Rating Airplane EU Part – FCL ConversionIEP87.8%88.9%89.1%87.3%88.3%
Instrument Rating Foreign PilotIFP79.1%80.2%83.3%81.3%81.8%82.8%86.0%
Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)IFB82.5%86.4%86.5%88.1%
Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via Non-BASA (61.75)IFP95.0%86.6%88.5%82.4%
Instrument Rating HelicopterIRH81.3%81.5%82.6%82.8%83.5%83.2%83.8%84.6%84.6%84.5%
Instrument Rating Helicopter Canadian ConversionICH82.3%88.6%77.7%91.5%82.0%92.5%86.5%82.4%73.3%
Military Competence InstructorMCI94.1%95.4%96.1%96.4%96.1%95.9%95.3%95.2%95.1%96.0%
Military Competence Non-CategoryMCN88.7%91.2%91.4%91.0%91.2%90.9%89.5%92.1%
Military Competency AirplaneMCA94.4%91.9%94.5%
Military Competency HelicopterMCH90.4%89.8%91.2%
Parachute RiggerRIG80.9%82.5%82.7%85.0%88.4%86.2%87.6%86.7%85.5%85.5%
Parachute Rigger Military CompetenceRMC76.7%78.6%87.6%87.0%88.6%89.0%89.0%88.2%87.4%79.6%
Private Pilot AirplanePAR82.7%83.2%83.5%83.5%83.0%83.1%82.9%82.1%82.9%81.6%
Private Pilot Airplane Canadian ConversionPCP86.0%81.3%88.7%88.0%84.2%84.5%83.6%85.9%86.1%87.4%
Private Pilot Airplane EU Part – FCL ConversionPEP88.7%85.4%84.8%87.8%85.5%
Private Pilot Airplane Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)PFB78.0%90.0%84.2%
Private Pilot Airplane/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPAT82.4%84.3%82.0%88.0%79.8%74.2%78.1%75.7%76.8%77.6%
Private Pilot AirshipPLA69.5%82.0%73.0%36.5%51.0%73.6%68.4%73.8%64.2%
Private Pilot Balloon – GasPBG50.0%
Private Pilot Balloon – Hot AirPBH82.2%79.1%82.8%83.8%85.5%82.4%82.9%82.5%82.3%83.7%
Private Pilot GliderPGL87.1%87.1%85.6%85.6%87.1%86.2%86.0%84.5%85.0%84.4%
Private Pilot GyroplanePRG80.8%85.8%79.8%87.0%88.1%88.7%85.3%90.0%80.8%72.0%
Private Pilot Gyroplane/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPGT83.0%63.0%
Private Pilot HelicopterPRH84.9%85.1%85.0%84.6%84.4%85.6%85.7%84.7%84.5%81.6%
Private Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionPCH83.0%95.0%62.7%95.0%88.0%93.0%92.5%
Private Pilot Helicopter/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPHT80.0%83.5%83.0%73.0%66.7%
Private Pilot Powered ParachutePPP57.0%82.5%87.0%82.0%72.0%78.0%72.0%80.0%
Private Pilot Weight-Shift-ControlPWS88.5%88.7%76.7%88.8%88.0%81.5%27.0%72.0%75.0%
Recreational Pilot AirplaneRPA79.4%76.7%79.0%80.3%80.1%83.6%82.3%80.0%76.3%86.8%
Recreational Pilot GyroplaneRPG78.0%90.0%
Recreational Pilot HelicopterRPH84.0%82.0%68.0%82.0%73.0%70.0%80.0%
Sport Pilot AirplaneSPA85.3%85.5%87.0%86.8%86.8%87.7%86.6%85.8%85.4%86.6%
Sport Pilot GliderSPI88.0%65.0%98.0%92.5%
Sport Pilot GyroplaneSPY87.5%87.6%86.0%86.8%86.0%89.1%87.7%86.2%81.6%85.5%
Sport Pilot Helicopter – Simplified Flight ControlsSHF
Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)SPL78.0%
Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon)SPB73.0%75.0%71.5%
Sport Pilot Powered ParachuteSPP83.2%84.4%82.7%82.2%82.3%82.3%81.5%82.5%82.1%84.9%
Sport Pilot Weight-Shift-ControlSPW87.8%86.8%86.4%90.7%85.7%88.1%87.7%88.3%92.4%85.2%
Unmanned Aircraft General – SmallUAG80.3%81.2%80.0%79.3%
Unmanned Aircraft – GeneralUAG81.1%82.7%83.1%83.0%83.6%81.2%
Unmanned General – RecurrentUGR86.9%85.8%86.6%86.5%
All Knowledge TestsTOT82.6%83.0%83.8%84.1%84.4%

Knowledge Test Pass Rates by Test, 2016-2025

TEST NAMETEST CODE2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Aircraft DispatcherADX75.9%77.1%73.9%78.1%79.1%78.7%78.8%81.4%83.6%82.4%
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine AirplaneATM97.9%98.8%99.3%99.3%99.5%99.7%99.8%99.7%99.7%99.8%
Airline Transport Pilot Single Engine Airplane (135)ATS79.6%90.9%94.4%92.9%97.2%97.8%96.1%96.8%99.1%97.4%
Airline Transport Pilot Airplane (14 CFR part 135) (Added Rating)ARA50.0%
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane Canadian ConversionACM94.4%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Airline Transport Pilot Single Engine Airplane Canadian ConversionASC100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135)ATH98.1%97.4%98.9%98.0%99.1%98.0%99.1%99.3%100.0%98.4%
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) (Added Rating)ARH100.0%87.5%100.0%100.0%100.0%91.7%100.0%100.0%84.6%100.0%
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionACH68.4%86.4%100.0%91.7%92.9%68.8%92.3%84.6%92.3%100.0%
Aviation Maintenance Technician AirframeAMA85.1%85.5%84.4%82.6%76.5%74.1%74.8%74.5%72.6%74.0%
Aviation Maintenance Technician GeneralAMG87.4%83.7%78.6%75.2%73.9%73.5%74.8%72.4%70.8%69.6%
Aviation Maintenance Technician PowerplantAMP78.4%79.0%78.4%76.3%70.2%66.9%67.1%67.3%64.4%63.0%
Commercial Pilot AirplaneCAX94.5%93.0%94.6%96.2%97.2%96.8%97.5%98.5%99.3%99.2%
Commercial Pilot Airplane Canadian ConversionCCP93.6%93.2%93.5%96.9%97.7%93.4%98.3%98.4%100.0%97.3%
Commercial Pilot AirshipCLA0.0%100.0%100.0%0.0%100.0%
Commercial Pilot Balloon – GasCBG
Commercial Pilot Balloon – Hot AirCBH96.9%96.1%95.4%98.1%92.7%95.1%94.5%100.0%95.4%96.1%
Commercial Pilot GliderCGX95.9%92.6%98.4%100.0%100.0%90.9%98.1%100.0%98.2%94.7%
Commercial Pilot GyroplaneCRG100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%66.7%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Commercial Pilot HelicopterCRH96.7%97.0%96.1%97.0%97.3%98.0%97.0%97.9%99.1%98.7%
Commercial Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionCCH89.5%96.0%100.0%86.7%94.7%100.0%100.0%97.3%100.0%94.9%
Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Added Rating)FER100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Basic)FEN100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Flight Engineer Turbojet (Added Rating)FEJ100.0%100.0%
Flight Engineer Turbojet (Basic)FEX100.0%95.2%95.2%100.0%100.0%95.7%100.0%100.0%75.0%100.0%
Flight Engineer Turboprop (Added Rating)FEP100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%50.0%
Flight Engineer Turboprop (Basic)FET100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Flight Instructor AirplaneFIA93.0%93.9%94.4%95.5%95.5%94.6%94.1%94.5%95.1%95.4%
Flight Instructor Airplane (Added Rating)AFA89.9%91.8%88.7%88.2%90.3%87.0%84.6%87.5%87.8%87.0%
Flight Instructor GliderFIG97.8%92.5%100.0%100.0%95.2%94.4%98.1%100.0%98.0%94.1%
Flight Instructor Glider (Added Rating)AFG86.9%93.3%95.3%90.2%91.1%84.5%89.4%93.5%92.3%93.9%
Flight Instructor GyroplaneFRG100.0%100.0%66.7%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%75.0%80.0%
Flight Instructor Gyroplane (Added Rating)GFA87.5%72.7%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%87.5%100.0%100.0%83.3%
Flight Instructor HelicopterFRH95.7%97.9%98.5%97.3%98.2%98.0%96.2%96.5%98.4%98.3%
Flight Instructor Helicopter (Added Rating)HFA97.0%96.4%100.0%100.0%97.2%92.1%100.0%90.5%100.0%93.3%
Flight Instructor Instrument AirplaneFII97.9%98.0%98.7%98.8%98.4%98.3%98.3%98.4%98.5%98.9%
Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (Added Rating)AIF95.4%96.8%93.9%100.0%94.9%98.7%96.2%97.5%99.2%99.3%
Flight Instructor Instrument HelicopterFIH99.2%98.9%98.4%98.1%99.0%100.0%99.2%98.7%99.5%99.5%
Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter (Added Rating)HIF88.5%95.0%81.8%94.4%96.0%100.0%100.0%96.6%100.0%95.8%
Flight Instructor Sport AirplaneSIA96.0%90.6%97.9%93.6%87.5%96.0%100.0%94.4%100.0%100.0%
Flight Instructor Sport BalloonSIB
Flight Instructor Sport GliderSIG100.0%100.0%
Flight Instructor Sport GyroplaneSIY100.0%85.7%100.0%100.0%100.0%66.7%50.0%50.0%100.0%100.0%
Flight Instructor Sport Helicopter – Simplified Flight ControlsIHF
Flight Instructor Sport Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)SIL
Flight Instructor Sport Powered ParachuteSIP100.0%100.0%100.0%66.7%100.0%83.3%75.0%100.0%50.0%60.0%
Flight Instructor Sport Weight-Shift-ControlSIW100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Flight NavigatorFNX100.0%100.0%100.0%
Fundamentals of InstructingFOI94.4%95.1%96.1%96.0%96.9%98.2%98.2%98.6%98.8%99.1%
Ground Instructor (Advanced)AGI95.2%95.4%96.0%95.9%96.5%96.7%95.9%96.8%67.5%97.3%
Ground Instructor (Basic)BGI79.3%67.1%82.8%67.3%72.2%85.0%71.0%60.7%56.5%70.7%
Ground Instructor InstrumentIGI98.7%98.9%98.5%98.8%99.4%99.3%98.9%99.7%99.6%99.7%
Inspection AuthorizationIAR86.2%85.0%91.4%92.2%93.7%93.2%91.6%92.3%93.1%90.8%
Instrument Rating AirplaneIRA86.8%90.1%92.5%93.9%94.7%94.5%94.8%94.4%94.2%94.4%
Instrument Rating Airplane Canadian ConversionICP95.7%96.6%98.5%96.4%100.0%100.0%98.1%94.6%97.0%97.1%
Instrument Rating Airplane EU Part – FCL ConversionIEP100.0%96.0%97.2%100.0%96.7%
Instrument Rating Foreign PilotIFP82.5%82.1%91.7%86.6%88.8%84.4%94.6%
Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)IFB83.8%95.4%90.6%93.5%
Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via Non-BASA (61.75)IFP100.0%93.3%100.0%79.0%
Instrument Rating HelicopterIRH90.8%89.1%91.5%93.6%91.2%92.6%90.6%94.5%93.0%94.1%
Instrument Rating Helicopter Canadian ConversionICH75.0%100.0%83.3%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%33.3%
Military Competence InstructorMCI99.1%99.4%99.4%99.7%99.9%99.9%99.8%99.7%99.4%99.2%
Military Competence Non-CategoryMCN98.9%99.2%98.9%98.7%98.1%98.3%98.5%98.5%
Military Competency AirplaneMCA99.4%99.4%99.8%
Military Competency HelicopterMCH98.7%99.2%99.9%
Parachute RiggerRIG89.8%92.0%91.3%98.1%97.0%94.0%96.7%95.0%95.4%96.7%
Parachute Rigger Military CompetenceRMC67.2%71.1%90.9%90.5%93.5%94.4%95.0%90.5%92.6%77.4%
Private Pilot AirplanePAR90.0%90.9%90.7%90.8%90.1%89.9%89.8%90.3%91.9%89.6%
Private Pilot Airplane Canadian ConversionPCP95.0%90.3%96.8%96.4%100.0%94.3%94.9%100.0%95.2%95.5%
Private Pilot Airplane EU Part – FCL ConversionPEP100.0%94.6%93.7%97.9%96.2%
Private Pilot Airplane Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)PFB100.0%100.0%88.9%
Private Pilot Airplane/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPAT94.1%100.0%100.0%100.0%83.8%67.7%78.6%69.2%67.7%70.6%
Private Pilot AirshipPLA50.0%100.0%100.0%50.0%25.0%71.4%28.6%75.0%16.7%
Private Pilot Balloon – GasPBG0.0%
Private Pilot Balloon – Hot AirPBH93.0%79.3%87.5%92.5%94.6%92.7%90.8%86.7%89.0%93.1%
Private Pilot GliderPGL95.5%94.3%93.4%92.3%95.7%90.2%92.0%89.4%87.4%87.8%
Private Pilot GyroplanePRG80.0%90.0%80.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%60.0%
Private Pilot Gyroplane/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPGT100.0%0.0%
Private Pilot HelicopterPRH94.9%95.0%93.7%93.4%93.2%94.6%94.8%94.2%92.0%89.9%
Private Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionPCH100.0%100.0%66.7%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Private Pilot Helicopter/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPHT100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%0.0%
Private Pilot Powered ParachutePPP33.3%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%50.0%100.0%
Private Pilot Weight-Shift-ControlPWS100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%0.0%50.0%100.0%
Recreational Pilot AirplaneRPA82.3%73.3%91.3%87.5%81.0%90.9%90.5%80.0%70.0%100.0%
Recreational Pilot GyroplaneRPG100.0%100.0%
Recreational Pilot HelicopterRPH100.0%100.0%0.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
Sport Pilot AirplaneSPA94.0%95.1%96.6%96.3%97.1%97.2%96.9%95.8%91.7%96.9%
Sport Pilot GliderSPI100.0%0.0%100.0%100.0%
Sport Pilot GyroplaneSPY100.0%96.6%93.8%95.7%93.3%100.0%100.0%96.4%100.0%95.0%
Sport Pilot Helicopter – Simplified Flight ControlsSHF
Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)SPL100.0%
Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon)SPB100.0%100.0%50.0%
Sport Pilot Powered ParachuteSPP88.7%100.0%89.3%93.2%90.3%88.4%88.9%91.7%88.6%100.0%
Sport Pilot Weight-Shift-ControlSPW94.1%97.3%96.6%100.0%92.3%96.2%96.4%100.0%100.0%92.3%
Unmanned Aircraft General – SmallUAG85.7%87.1%84.2%83.0%
Unmanned Aircraft – GeneralUAG90.1%93.0%93.0%92.2%93.4%87.6%
Unmanned General – RecurrentUGR96.9%96.1%96.7%96.1%
All Knowledge TestsTOT89.8%91.0%91.3%91.3%91.5%89.0%92.2%91.1%89.5%89.6%

Knowledge Test Admistration by Test, 2016-2025

TEST NAMETEST CODE2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Aircraft DispatcherADX1,5161,3391,4441,3848078131,0891,4151,3751,410
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine AirplaneATM3,4145,3176,6057,1713,2167,48610,31811,0009,7979,972
Airline Transport Pilot Single Engine Airplane (135)ATS494454567290102123115114
Airline Transport Pilot Airplane (14 CFR part 135) (Added Rating)ARA2000000000
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane Canadian ConversionACM1815292524411671428498
Airline Transport Pilot Single Engine Airplane Canadian ConversionASC0101023131
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135)ATH362307268358217250335269220303
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) (Added Rating)ARH1516121521122091319
Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionACH19221112141613131312
Aviation Maintenance Technician AirframeAMA8,1918,7909,47110,2867,25210,01611,36612,55714,21316,885
Aviation Maintenance Technician GeneralAMG9,16010,06411,40012,9908,58112,10813,59815,81518,68922,585
Aviation Maintenance Technician PowerplantAMP8,5159,0839,51110,3677,35310,24811,62712,86414,30617,572
Commercial Pilot AirplaneCAX9,95611,02612,69414,90313,45512,71914,53917,42818,84020,530
Commercial Pilot Airplane Canadian ConversionCCP787477644361117122109109
Commercial Pilot AirshipCLA1100110300
Commercial Pilot Balloon – GasCBG0000000000
Commercial Pilot Balloon – Hot AirCBH64514353554173404351
Commercial Pilot GliderCGX49546351494452715438
Commercial Pilot GyroplaneCRG2221233473
Commercial Pilot HelicopterCRH897791659592512611676722740715
Commercial Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionCCH38253630192521373739
Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Added Rating)FER2111002102
Flight Engineer Reciprocating Engine (Basic)FEN410616110244
Flight Engineer Turbojet (Added Rating)FEJ0120000000
Flight Engineer Turbojet (Basic)FEX242121141923212045
Flight Engineer Turboprop (Added Rating)FEP2023001020
Flight Engineer Turboprop (Basic)FET7710163489511
Flight Instructor AirplaneFIA4,3464,9956,1577,8977,6268,69310,15212,34713,68214,736
Flight Instructor Airplane (Added Rating)AFA69616268624639484146
Flight Instructor GliderFIG45535340423653444951
Flight Instructor Glider (Added Rating)AFG61606461797147465265
Flight Instructor GyroplaneFRG3461224445
Flight Instructor Gyroplane (Added Rating)GFA1611755681176
Flight Instructor HelicopterFRH611482407368341405502486501520
Flight Instructor Helicopter (Added Rating)HFA33282837363825422330
Flight Instructor Instrument AirplaneFII3,3344,1095,0076,6956,6347,1999,03311,09612,09312,781
Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (Added Rating)AIF436266541367978119127141
Flight Instructor Instrument HelicopterFIH473375315308288327381396394397
Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter (Added Rating)HIF26201118252416291924
Flight Instructor Sport AirplaneSIA25324831242519182217
Flight Instructor Sport BalloonSIB0000000000
Flight Instructor Sport GliderSIG0100000001
Flight Instructor Sport GyroplaneSIY3732132265
Flight Instructor Sport Helicopter – Simplified Flight ControlsIHF0000000000
Flight Instructor Sport Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)SIL0000000000
Flight Instructor Sport Powered ParachuteSIP53331641210
Flight Instructor Sport Weight-Shift-ControlSIW8364542101
Flight NavigatorFNX0002220000
Fundamentals of InstructingFOI5,3416,1237,1198,8368,4529,20110,79712,92913,99514,846
Ground Instructor (Advanced)AGI1,2411,3151,5341,9071,9011,9741,9332,2892,4902,694
Ground Instructor (Basic)BGI58796452364062896241
Ground Instructor InstrumentIGI8429191,1131,4311,4841,6291,6762,0882,3912,751
Inspection AuthorizationIAR9639651,1061,0398301,0959311,1071,1181,117
Instrument Rating AirplaneIRA13,82914,90916,79619,37817,54717,53719,86923,36325,64727,143
Instrument Rating Airplane Canadian ConversionICP69596755456310611099102
Instrument Rating Airplane EU Part – FCL ConversionIEP00000925362330
Instrument Rating Foreign PilotIFP229279216246107173110000
Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)IFB00000037172276200
Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via Non-BASA (61.75)IFP0000001152319
Instrument Rating HelicopterIRH768604519421466580618614625597
Instrument Rating Helicopter Canadian ConversionICH4562402453
Military Competence InstructorMCI1,4731,4611,7271,7791,0491,1651,2161,0946411,028
Military Competence Non-CategoryMCN004473,1192,6542,9013,3003,3382,2632,907
Military Competency AirplaneMCA1,5131,3201,2660000000
Military Competency HelicopterMCH1,4031,4431,3840000000
Parachute RiggerRIG177224263258169184210238217153
Parachute Rigger Military CompetenceRMC3901945584465460632753
Private Pilot AirplanePAR26,67528,32332,00335,84331,97634,11039,89345,82046,13244,657
Private Pilot Airplane Canadian ConversionPCP40313128343539444244
Private Pilot Airplane EU Part – FCL ConversionPEP000001356634778
Private Pilot Airplane Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71)PFB0000000119
Private Pilot Airplane/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPAT17735373442393134
Private Pilot AirshipPLA2101247746
Private Pilot Balloon – GasPBG0000000100
Private Pilot Balloon – Hot AirPBH1281061129311096109989187
Private Pilot GliderPGL201192228194211215251264214253
Private Pilot GyroplanePRG101056864755
Private Pilot Gyroplane/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPGT1000000010
Private Pilot HelicopterPRH1,2291,0499519389289831,0321,1161,019939
Private Pilot Helicopter Canadian ConversionPCH1132021200
Private Pilot Helicopter/Recreational Pilot – TransitionPHT1201010001
Private Pilot Powered ParachutePPP3021201122
Private Pilot Weight-Shift-ControlPWS2334121410
Recreational Pilot AirplaneRPA7915231621222125205
Recreational Pilot GyroplaneRPG0101000000
Recreational Pilot HelicopterRPH1110102012
Sport Pilot AirplaneSPA681466471409415426388377397420
Sport Pilot GliderSPI1000011001
Sport Pilot GyroplaneSPY15293223302116281720
Sport Pilot Helicopter – Simplified Flight ControlsSHF0000000000
Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)SPL0000000100
Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon)SPB1001200000
Sport Pilot Powered ParachuteSPP62465644624354483528
Sport Pilot Weight-Shift-ControlSPW34372917262628141413
Unmanned Aircraft General – SmallUAG00000057,04963,93567,57673,914
Unmanned Aircraft – GeneralUAG16,26341,07440,98545,89239,45553,6810000
Unmanned General – RecurrentUGR004,90212,79011,0213,4380000
All Knowledge TestsTOT125,233158,661178,186208,904176,163201,347224,474256,801271,247293,516
All Excluding UAS 108,970117,587132,299150,222125,687144,228167,425192,866203,671219,602

Need Help Preparing for Your FAA Written Test?

Yes, we do that! We offer one-on-one tutoring and written test preparation via Zoom call. 

We can help with Airplane (sorry, no Helicopter) Airman Knowledge Tests, including Sport, Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI. We also speak Fundamentals of Instructing. 

To schedule, select “Hourly Ground Instruction” after clicking the button below. Please make sure to include a few notes about what you’d like to cover in our session.

And, of course, if you’ve passed your written and are in checkride prep mode, we’d be happy to help with a comprehensive mock checkride.

Further Reading

If you’re getting ready for your checkride, or just curious as to whether the same patterns show up in FAA Practical Tests (hint: they don’t!), visit our exploration of FAA Practical Test pass rates.

Interested in why people fail practical tests? Here are some of the Common Deficiencies we see in mock oral exams for applicants preparing for their practicals. These same topics also show up frequently on Airman Knowledge Test score reports that we review prior to mock checkrides. 

View the 2025 FAA Airman Knowledge Test statistics and data from previous years here

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