Changes to FAA written test

TOP said:
So have the test bank questions changed in the FOI or the CFI exams? Or both? I thought that changes were going to take effect in June (ish) timeframe.

Edit: (Note to self, read thread again if you need to) I just re-read the thread.
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Don't know. Took the FIA beginning of January...roughly 6-7 questions not in Gleim...got a 92. Took the FOI 3 days ago...roughly 35-40 questions not in Gleim...got a 66.

Read the NEW aviation instructors handbook and found most of the questions that I missed that wasn't in the old version from which the Gleim (plus all the other test prep vendors) is based.
 
Adler said:
We came across this today.

"More than half of those taking the FOI knowledge test since the changes were implemented failed the exam."
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Well, glad mine's done...

Edit: No, seriously...FAA-approved study guides would be nice, FAA.
 
Same story here. I took the FOI about a month ago and barely passed with a 70. I didn't recognize more than half of the questions. This was after studying the Gleim 2011 study guide and the software getting mid to high 90's on the practice exams. I wrote to Gleim and the guy told me the FAA did change the questions but did not release the new questions like they usually do to any of the test prep companies, Gleim, Jepp, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't take these tests now, especially the instrument, ATP and FOI until they get this straightened out.
 
Sack402 said:
Personally, I wouldn't take these tests now, especially the instrument, ATP and FOI until they get this straightened out.
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What, you mean they need to give you the full test bank before you take the test?

Where I'm from that's cheating. We've all been lucky that that's how it was in the past. If you honestly can get 90s in a gleim but couldn't get a 70 in the real test, chances are you are just memorizing, and not actually learning.
 
elmetal said:
What, you mean they need to give you the full test bank before you take the test?

Where I'm from that's cheating. We've all been lucky that that's how it was in the past. If you honestly can get 90s in a gleim but couldn't get a 70 in the real test, chances are you are just memorizing, and not actually learning.
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I don't think anyone ever said they have to give the full test bank, but it would be nice if they released some type of study guide. As of right now, I don't think anyone really knows exactly what is covered in the new tests and that is part of the problem.
 
I haven't seen the new knowledge tests (or the associated test bank), but if you are signed off to take the knowledge test for a given airman certificate or rating, doesn't that mean you should actualy know the content of the associated knowlege test?

Just because a person doesn't have access to the answer bank (as is currently the case), does NOT mean they should fail said test. If you are competent to be signed off for a knowledge test of any kind, then no questions on that test should surprise you.

The problem here is, most people I know don't bother to actually learn the knowledge test material; rather, they just look at the three given answers, and memorize the correct answer based on the three given. What are you really learning by taking this approach? Nothing.

Of course I may not know all of the specifics here, but based on what I have observed previously, I have hard time feeling sorry for those individuals who fail these new knowledge tests.
 
Apophis said:
I haven't seen the new knowledge tests (or the associated test bank), but if you are signed off to take the knowledge test for a given airman certificate or rating, doesn't that mean you should actualy know the content of the associated knowlege test?

Just because a person doesn't have access to the answer bank (as is currently the case), does NOT mean they should fail said test. If you are competent to be signed off for a knowledge test of any kind, then no questions on that test should surprise you.

The problem here is, most people I know don't bother to actually learn the knowledge test material; rather, they just look at the three given answers, and memorize the correct answer based on the three given. What are you really learning by taking this approach? Nothing.

Of course I may not know all of the specifics here, but based on what I have observed previously, I have hard time feeling sorry for those individuals who fail these new knowledge tests.
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I think they have added subjects to the test that were previously untested. They should at least release what topics were added, so you can study those before the test. I know when I took the private test I did study and learn it, but only the topics that were in the test prep guide, if they had added anything else I wouldn't have know it, but not because I didn't study. I think it would be good if they released practice problem, but then changed them some for the test (maybe change the numbers for the calculation problems).
 
mojo6911 said:
The underlying concepts in the FOI aren't that hard to grasp, even if they did change the bank.
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elmetal said:
What, you mean they need to give you the full test bank before you take the test?

Where I'm from that's cheating. We've all been lucky that that's how it was in the past. If you honestly can get 90s in a gleim but couldn't get a 70 in the real test, chances are you are just memorizing, and not actually learning.
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Well IMO if the FAA would play fair and give a test based on real world flying I agree. The FAA loves the trick question or the all above are correct but which one is the most correct crap. When the tests have a concepts that are straight foward know it or not question bank I'll agree with not memorizing the questions and answers. When it comes to the oral the DPE will figure out if your knowledge is where it should be.
 
Fair points. Like I said in my previous post, I haven't actually seen the new knowledge tests or their associated questions, so I don't know how vague these new questions are. Obviously it isn't very straightforward given the amount of uproar.
 
Ok, after talking to National Association of Flight Instructors who are working in conjunction with AOPA, I was told that there isn't just an issue of the FAA changing the questions, the fact whether or not the questions are being validated is arising. You know how at the end of almost every written you have a few new questions? Those are being validated for their accuracy and validity, but I guess the newest questions (speaking in terms of FOI for me) were NOT VALIDATED. Also, there are several questions regarding new fatigue issues and commercial study guides (I believe 8 in all?) that will most definetly be seen on the FOI.

Apparently, someone taking the Commericial Balloon written found that the MAJORITY of the questions were straight up WRONG. Again, an issue of Validity.

Clearly, those of you who are suggesting that we just aren't 'studying' or 'learning' the material are wrong. I can discuss, explain, and apply the fundamentals of instruction, not just memorize the answers in a book or on software. Yet I still failed with a 44.

Solutions are being examined. NAFI is attending a meeting with the FAA on April 22, 10 miles away for a student like myself trying to complete my CFI. ASA has released what they believe to be a few of the altered questions, mainly regarding fatigue and commercial study guides. I'm not sure how much this will help, but it is a start.

If you have had an issue with these tests, PLEASE CONTACT SOMEONE, it isn't right for this to be happening and someone needs to be accountable. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I'm not sitting by idly while this occurs.
 
Based on what I have been seeing, the FOI and the ATP test questions have been changed. The Private and Instrument have not been changed at this time. I do not know about the commercial written test.

There have been a great number of failures on the FOI and lower scores on the ATP.

At this time, Sheppard Air has the updated questions for both the FOI and the ATP. I have been advising everyone with a multi-commerical instrument rating that does not yet have their ATP to get the ATP written passed as soon as possible.

Joe

Joe
 
Man, sucks.

Some people put way too much faith in these tests...it's a joke. Publish the bank, select 50-60-100 questions of that bank and call it done. All this swapping without letting everyone know is bunk. I feel bad for all the guys blowing the FOI. The real test is that few hours you spend with the DE (or in the FOI's case) the Inspector..If you don't understand FOI he WILL figure it out then....not by completing some multiple choice test. I'm beginning to think the only reason these tests exist is because an industry has been created out of prep material and robbing us of $150 every time we attempt an exam only to find out the bank has been swapped. What a waste.
 
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