The reference numbers are srewed up. I believe the pretest is outdated. You'll have to do your best to research the answers, but in the event you can't find it, don't worry because you'll be going over the pretest in class. The CFI pretest just basically gets your mind on track with refreshing information you should already now.
For references to AC 61-65D, look in the back of your CFI oral exam guide. That Advisory Circular contains a nice list of *most* of the endorsements. Have a good working knowledge of FAA part 61 and where to find information. Of course they will point this out at CFI class, but you'd be ahead of the game if you started to tab your FAR/AIM in part 61 for student pilots, private pilots, commercial pilots, CFI and ATP. You won't have to memorize every endorsement, but know where to find it and be organized. The more organized you are with preparing this information, the faster you can pull things up and the happier your examiner will be.
As far as lesson plans, don't worry about that. Your instructor will cover these in depth and you'll be working on them in class and at night. Lesson plans are very simple, easy and if you keep them simple - sort of like a checklist - you'll make life easier.
Overall, CFI school is tough. There is a lot of information. But don't kill yourself thinking it can't be done. Study the area's
you think you need the most work on, create yourself a nice binder full of notes and relax. The biggest thing is relax. You'll have plenty of free time after the first few days to gather your notes, prepare your lesson plans and study. So take a few minutes here and there to stay sane.
I went to Walmart and bought a 3 ring binder with clear plastic sleeves. I wrote down outlines on chapters in the Airplane Flying Handbook (ch.2-5 I believe), I also wrote down all of the endorsements for each rating and kept my lesson plans in there. I studied the areas I felt weakest in.
All in all my checkride went very well. ATP gave me the tools to prepare, I took the time to prepare and it paid off because I knew my material very well. You'll do fine. Goodluck and have fun!!
