What is the Part 107 knowledge test?
The official name is Unmanned Aircraft General, Small, usually shortened to UAG. It is the FAA initial aeronautical knowledge test for people who want a Remote Pilot Certificate. Anyone who flies a drone for business purposes in the United States needs that certificate, so the test is the first real milestone for most commercial drone pilots.
The test checks whether you understand the rules, airspace, weather, aircraft performance and safe operating practices well enough to fly without putting people or other aircraft at risk. It is not a flight test. Everything happens on a computer at a testing center, and you answer written questions only.
How many questions are on the Part 107 exam?
You get 60 multiple-choice questions, and every question has three answer options. You have 2 hours to finish. The passing score is 70%, so you need at least 42 correct answers. There is no penalty for a wrong answer beyond not earning the point, so it makes sense to answer every question before time runs out.
Three options per question sounds friendly, but the wrong options are usually plausible. Many of them are correct statements about a different rule, a different airspace class or a different chart symbol. Careful reading matters as much as memory.
What topics are on the Part 107 test?
The questions follow the Airman Certification Standards for remote pilots. The ACS groups knowledge into five areas, each with a weight range for the share of questions:
| ACS area | Share of questions |
|---|---|
| Regulations | 15 to 25% |
| Airspace and Requirements | 15 to 25% |
| Weather | 11 to 16% |
| Loading and Performance | 7 to 11% |
| Operations | 35 to 45% |
Who can take the Part 107 test?
You must be at least 14 years old to take the test, and you must be able to read, write, speak and understand English. To be issued the certificate afterwards you must be at least 16. Before you register for the test, create an IACRA profile to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
You schedule the test with PSI at faa.psiexams.com. The fee is $175 per attempt, paid when you book. The testing vendor sets that amount, so confirm the current fee on the PSI site before you schedule.
What happens on Part 107 test day?
Bring a government-issued photo ID to the testing center. During the test you use the FAA testing supplement, FAA-CT-8080-2H. It contains the sectional chart excerpts and other figures that chart and performance questions refer to. Because you use this booklet during the test, practicing with its figures beforehand is one of the most useful things you can do.
Read every question twice. Look for words that change the meaning, such as a specific airspace class, a condition or an exception. When a question points to a figure, find the exact spot on the chart before you look at the options.
What is on the Airman Knowledge Test Report?
After the test you receive an Airman Knowledge Test Report. If you missed questions, it lists the ACS codes of the knowledge areas you missed. Each code points to a specific item in the Airman Certification Standards, so you can see exactly which topics to review.
The report also contains the 17-digit Knowledge Test Exam ID. You enter it later in IACRA when you complete FAA Form 8710-13. It may take up to 48 hours after the test for the result to appear in IACRA.
What if you fail the Part 107 test?
If you do not pass, you must wait 14 calendar days before you retest, under 14 CFR 107.71. A retake costs the test fee again. Use the ACS codes on your report to plan those two weeks: focus on the areas you missed instead of repeating everything evenly.
The best way to avoid a retake is to practice with real exam-style questions until chart reading and the rules feel routine. Start with the FAA's free sample questions and check which areas you still miss.