Retaking FAA Knowledge Tests

AA34

AA34

Well-Known Member
When I earned my PPL in high school I scored in the 70's on the knowledge test. It has since been a few years and feel that my study habits have changed and know that I could do much better. I want to continue to earn additional ratings so I wanted to know if this score would be a blemish on my record? If I do retake, will anyone ever see my old score, or just the new (hopefully higher) score? Is it worth it further down the road for any interviews to have a higher score?
 
a pass is a pass with these knowledge tests, don't worry, nobody will ever ask you what you scored on your private pilot written.
 
One downside to scoring low on a written is that the examiner might be harder on you with the oral. I'd recommend trying to score at least 90% on any written. Use the practice tests frequently and it will help you breeze through a written.
 
troopernflight said:
One downside to scoring low on a written is that the examiner might be harder on you with the oral. I'd recommend trying to score at least 90% on any written.
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One downside of scoring well above 90% is that the examiner will know that you memorized all of the questions ;)

As long as you pass, it is all good.
 
The testing fee is $150 nowadays, so unless you fail a knowledge test, there's less than no point in re-taking one.
 
Don't sweat it - just learn the material.

I agree with all of the above... a wise cargo Captain told me once that a 70% is as good as a 100% - I took his advice to heart. Plus, getting a few wrong gives the examiner a few questions to ask you during your practical that you know are coming... rather than having him come up with some more that you don't.
 
troopernflight said:
One downside to scoring low on a written is that the examiner might be harder on you with the oral. I'd recommend trying to score at least 90% on any written. Use the practice tests frequently and it will help you breeze through a written.
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We had a guy score a 100% on the written recently and fail his PPL oral a few days later.
 
z987k said:
Might be because the written seems to have the least to do with flying of the 3.
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This is more true than it should be. I guess its to much for the FAA to do something right!

I guess if they did a proper rewrite it would cost a billion dollars, take 20 years, involve 1000 FAA employees, and 19 outside contract companies.
:sarcasm:
 
It was always BS to me that instructors would tell a student to get a 95% or better so the examiner doesn't give them a more difficult oral. The knowledge test has little to do with the oral in the first place. 70 is passing, no job you get in aviation is going to care what you got on any test I assure you.
 
troopernflight said:
One downside to scoring low on a written is that the examiner might be harder on you with the oral. I'd recommend trying to score at least 90% on any written. Use the practice tests frequently and it will help you breeze through a written.
Click to expand...

Yes.

drunkenbeagle said:
One downside of scoring well above 90% is that the examiner will know that you memorized all of the questions ;)

As long as you pass, it is all good.
Click to expand...

And....Yes.
 
Inverted said:
It was always BS to me that instructors would tell a student to get a 95% or better so the examiner doesn't give them a more difficult oral. The knowledge test has little to do with the oral in the first place. 70 is passing, no job you get in aviation is going to care what you got on any test I assure you.
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Not more difficult, but an on the ball examiner will look at what questions you failed on your knowledge test and then ask questions in that area at least. I don't think that means it is any more difficult than normal, unless you dont know that material.
 
SpiraMirabilis said:
Not more difficult, but an on the ball examiner will look at what questions you failed on your knowledge test and then ask questions in that area at least. I don't think that means it is any more difficult than normal, unless you dont know that material.
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And.....YES.

I remember when I signed off students for their rides, the examiner would go over the codes for the questions missed, usually they knew them by heart, and the oral exam would certainly be more focused on those areas.
 
The examiner is going to to get a good feel of you (giggity) and your knowledge regardless of what your written test score is within the first few questions. I haven't had one examiner myself, or my students look up knowledge test codes. My only guess is they would if I or a student completely screws something up during the oral, and looks up to see if it was a deficient subject area.
 
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