How to Pass the FAA Part 107 Exam on Your First Attempt

The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is the licence you need to fly drones commercially in the United States. With a pass rate of around 84%, most people do pass — but that still means roughly one in six candidates fails and has to wait 14 days (and pay another $175) before retaking.

This guide covers everything you need to know to pass first time.

What is the Part 107 exam?

The Knowledge Test (formally called the “Unmanned Aircraft General — Small”) is a 60-question, multiple-choice exam administered at FAA-approved testing centres run by PSI. You have 120 minutes to complete it, and you need a score of 70% or higher to pass.

The exam costs $175 and must be taken in person at a PSI testing centre. You will need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID.

What topics does it cover?

The Part 107 exam draws questions from these knowledge areas:

• Regulations — Part 107 rules, waivers, registration requirements, and remote pilot responsibilities
• Airspace classification — Classes B, C, D, E, and G, plus how to read sectional charts and identify airspace boundaries
• Weather — METAR reports, TAFs, weather theory, cloud formation, wind shear, and density altitude
• Loading and performance — Weight and balance, centre of gravity, effects of temperature and altitude on performance
• Operations — Pre-flight procedures, crew resource management, aeronautical decision-making, and emergency procedures
• Airport operations — Traffic patterns, NOTAM interpretation, and procedures for operating near airports

How to study effectively

1. Start with practice questions

The most effective way to prepare is by answering practice questions and reading the detailed explanations. Each explanation teaches you the underlying concept, not just the correct answer.

2. Focus on sectional charts

Sectional chart reading is one of the most commonly failed areas. Spend extra time learning to identify:

• Airspace boundaries and floor/ceiling altitudes
• Restricted and special use airspace
• Airport symbols and frequencies
• Obstacles, towers, and maximum elevation figures

3. Learn to decode METARs

Weather questions make up a significant portion of the exam. Practice reading METAR reports until you can quickly identify:

• Wind direction and speed
• Visibility
• Cloud layers and coverage
• Temperature and dewpoint

4. Take timed mock exams

Once you are comfortable with the material, take full-length mock exams under timed conditions. This builds your confidence and helps you manage your time during the real test.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Rushing through weather questions — these require careful reading of encoded data
• Confusing airspace classes — know the differences between Class B, C, D, E, and G
• Ignoring the legend — sectional chart questions often require you to reference the legend
• Not reading all answer options — the exam sometimes includes two plausible answers where one is more correct

On exam day

Arrive at the PSI testing centre at least 30 minutes early. Bring your government-issued photo ID. You cannot bring personal items into the testing room, but you will be provided with scratch paper and a basic calculator.

Take your time. With 120 minutes for 60 questions, you have an average of two minutes per question. Flag difficult questions and come back to them.

The Part 107 exam is challenging but very passable with the right preparation. Most candidates who use structured practice questions pass on their first attempt.

Ready to start practising?

DronePrep offers hundreds of Part 107 practice questions with detailed explanations for every answer. Start free, or get Full Access for $99 one-time to unlock everything including full-length mock exams.