What are the theory exams, when do I need to pass them and how can I go about learning? These are questions that most aspiring student PPL’s ask, sometime even before setting foot in an aeroplane.
The basics
- There are 9 theory subjects, each with between 12 and 20 multiple choice questions.
- You must pass all the exams in 18 months. The 18 months begins from the end of the month in which you took your first exam (pass or fail!) – e.g. if you took the exam on the 10th, you actually have 18 months + 20 days to pass the rest.
- Your training organisation has to recommend you as ready for each exam.
- You can take as many or as few exams in one go as you wish. You may have heard about the 6 sitting rule. Don’t worry – it has been abolished.
- You can make 3 attempts per subject; a 4th attempt requires CAA approval after mandatory re-training.
- In the unlikely event that you don’t pass all the exams within 18 months, you have to start all over again. Don’t let that happen!
- You must pass all the theory exams before taking the PPL skills test.
- Once you have passed all the theory exams, you have 24 months (from the date of the last exam) to complete your training, pass the test and apply for your licence.
What are the subjects?
The 9 subjects are shown here, with the links and overlaps between them.
Do I have to start the exams immediately?
- I’d always recommend having a few practical lessons, and make sure that PPL flying is something you want to do, before investing time and money in theory studies.
Is there a preferred order for the subjects?
- To some extent this can be governed by your own interests.
- Most theory subjects will help your practical flying in some way and to varying degrees. For example, you will find that meteorology helps in figuring out whether your lesson will go ahead, and if it is suitable for cross-country flying. Navigation theory will help you plan your cross-country flights, although some students find that the theory makes more sense after the first few cross country flights.
- There are links and overlaps between the different subject, e.g. between Air Law and Operational procedures, between FPP (Flight Performance and Planning) and elements of Navigation and Principles of Flight.
- If studying more than one subject at a time, it makes sense to pair one of the bigger, more challenging subjects with one of the easier or smaller ones.
- Your training school will recommend what order to do things. Some require you to pass certain exams (for example Air Law, Human performance and Operational Procedures) before your first solo flight, and other exams before going solo cross-country (Navigation, Communication, Meteorology). The order shown below is a good approach.
How can I study for them?
- The CAA don’t mind how you study, but bear in mind you will have to demonstrate readiness for test to your flying school – your school may set you a mini-quiz for example, or examine the scores you have been getting in an online question bank.
- Choose a method that suits your personal learning style and your own self-discipline (or lack of it). Options include
- Self study from books
- Self study from e-learning materials, which usually have an integrated question bank with progress tests and mock exams.
- Self study, topped up with some one-to-one tuition from your instructor – perhaps focussing on the bits you ‘don’t get’ or would like to know more about
- Classroom ground school at your flying school, in a group or one to one. Traditionally these were face to face, but Zoom works just as well.
- Intensive one-to-one or small group ground school over a week or so – there are a few schools and individuals who offer this.
- Do you have specific recommendations? Of course, please get in touch.
It sounds expensive, how can I economise?
- Exams fees are about £50 each, so don’t waste money by failing a test because you’re not ready!
- A set of books will cost around £100 to £150 and a set of practice paper books (highly recommended) are about £40. You could buy books second hand, but check that they are up to date editions.
- Online learning materials and question banks typically cost £5 to £15 per subject per month. They are cost effective if you focus, learn quickly and move on to the next subject.
- All inclusive intensive ground school for 9 subjects is of the order of £1000 – £2500. This is an approach which people who are short of time (but not short of money!) use. Whilst they will get through the exams, you may find you don’t retain much of the knowledge afterwards.
- Top-up instruction, from your own instructor, is about £30 per hour.
- Clearly the most economical approach is self-study, perhaps augmented with selective top-up instruction.
- With e-learning, you might avoid buying any books, but many materials lack the detailed, personal explanation you may need to understand a difficult subject.
Anything else?
- An RT practical exam (the FRTOL exam) is also required. It is not one of the 9 subjects (though it does require a Pass in Communications theory). It does not have to be completed within the 18 months and can be done before or after the skills test (but you can’t apply for your licence until you have passed it).
- We recommend that you pass the RT practical exam before your qualifying cross-country (QXC) flight.
- I’ve heard that the exams are now Online? Yes, that’s correct. We’ll write more about that shortly.
And finally, remember – your aim should be to become a competent, safe and well informed pilot, it is not just about ticking the exam box.