Congratulations on passing your FAA Knowledge Test! You are further along your journey to your next certificate or rating. Now what?

The FAA Written Test Report

An Introduction to FAA Knowledge Test ACS Codes

Reviewing Missed Topics with Your Flight Instructor

FAA Written Test Report

When you finished your test, the testing center issued you an Airman Knowledge Test Report (view a sample report). The top of the report includes identifying information. Your name and FTN tie the test report to your file at the FAA. The exam ID ties the type of exam, the exam date, and the outcome of this report to your FAA account. You will also see a line with your score on the test, your grade (pass or fail), and how many times you have taken the test.

The exam ID ties the type of exam, the exam date, and the outcome of this report to your FAA account.

Below your score, you will see a paragraph discussing the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) codes listed and how they represent question topics that you did not get correct on your exam. As noted, “A single code may represent more than one incorrect response.”

This statement is followed by a list of ACS codes representing the topics that you missed. We’ll discuss these momentarily.

It is important to keep track of the expiration date of your test results.

Next you will see an expiration date listed for the knowledge test report. It is important to keep track of this date. You will need to successfully complete your oral and practical exams, your “checkride,” on or before this date. If you don’t, you will need to start over with the knowledge test. The date listed will be 24 calendar months after the date that you completed the knowledge exam for all exams other than the multiengine airplane ATP test. That ATP test report is good for 60 calendar months.

Just above the dashed line on the report, the FAA reminds you, “DO NOT LOSE THIS REPORT.” If you do lose the report, you can replace it by logging into your PSI testing account and printing a duplicate copy.

Below the dashed line is a place that a flight instructor can confirm that he or she has completed the necessary review training for a student that did not pass the test the first time. Since you already passed your knowledge test, you don’t need to be concerned with this section.

This is where a flight instructor can confirm that he or she has completed the necessary review training for a student that did not pass the test.

You should be concerned about the final section. It discusses the potential legal ramifications of trying to fraudulently alter or falsify the report, which I am certain that you would never do.

FRAUDULENT ALTERATION OF THIS FORM BY ANY PERSON IS A BASIS FOR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF ANY CERTIFICATES OR RATINGS HELD BY THAT PERSON.

An Introduction to the FAA Knowledge Test ACS Codes

The Airman Certification Standards are a framework intended to integrate and align standards, guidance, and testing for airman certification. They were built on the performance standards of an older system while adding aeronautical knowledge and risk management elements to each task.

ACS Codes are used to define the type of questions missed on the knowledge exam. These codes tie directly to an element of the ACS and are classified as (K)nowledge, (S)kill, or (R)isk Management codes.

The coding system has four elements.

PA.XI.A.K1:

• PA = (private pilot airplane) – identifies the applicable ACS.
• XI = Area of Operation (Night Operation)
• A = Task (Night Preparation);
• K1 = Task element [knowledge (K), skill (S), risk management (R)]

The FAA used this coding system to revise and align all private pilot airplane, commercial pilot airplane, instrument airplane rating, flight instructor airplane, and airline transport pilot airplane knowledge test questions to the knowledge, skill, and risk management elements in the corresponding ACS. This led to the elimination of a number of questions that were no longer relevant today.

You, your instructor, and your pilot examiner will use these codes to determine the areas of the test where your knowledge was weak. You can do this by looking up the code in the appropriate ACS document. Review of older test reports may require the download of an older ACS version or the ACS Companion Guide for Pilots.

Reviewing Missed Topics with Your Flight Instructor

After you have determined the topics needing review from your knowledge test report and the ACS, it is time to start studying and help yourself become more prepared. Use the search function in your Sporty’s courses to search for keywords related to the topics. This will take you to videos and other resources that will help you understand the topics. Check out the FAA resources on the topics and do what you can to become an expert on those subjects.

Go and pass your oral and practical exam with confidence in your knowledge of the details that you need to know

When you are ready, plan to meet with your flight instructor and prove to him or her that you now understand the topics. This review with your instructor is required by the regulations. You should receive an endorsement from your instructor when he or she agrees that you understand the topics now.

Before your oral and practical exam, your pilot examiner will want to know the ACS codes from your knowledge report. The examiner is required to evaluate your comprehension on these topics during your time with him or her. Most examiners will prepare special questions or scenarios directly related to the topics where you were found deficient during the knowledge test. If you have reviewed the material and prepared properly, this part of the exam should not be a problem.

Now, go and pass your oral and practical exam with confidence in your knowledge of the details that you need to know. You’ve got this!

Fly and stay safe!