EASA A1/A3 exam-day guide
EASA A1/A3 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID card). Whether the A1/A3 online test actually requires identity verification depends on the platform your national aviation authority or approved entity uses - confirm with the provider before test day, and have the ID to hand even if it is not checked.
Login credentials and test link
Have your username, password and the exact test link/portal address confirmed and tested in advance, so you are not resetting a password five minutes before the clock starts.
Completed online training
The A1/A3 exam normally follows completion of the online training course on the same platform. Verify that all modules show as completed and that your account is unlocked for the test.
Reliable device
A laptop or desktop with a charged battery and charger available. Avoid starting an official test on a phone unless the provider explicitly supports it.
Stable internet connection
Wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal, plus a fallback (mobile hotspot) in case the primary connection drops. Know how to reconnect if the session times out.
Quiet, well-lit room
A private space with no interruptions, no other people talking, and a door you can close. If the platform uses webcam monitoring, lighting and background matter.
Webcam and microphone checked
Some providers require camera or microphone monitoring for the online test. Confirm the requirement with the provider and test the hardware beforehand.
Syllabus review notes
One-page summary of the nine subject areas: air safety, airspace restrictions, aviation regulation, human performance limitations, operational procedures, UAS general knowledge, privacy and data protection, insurance, and security. Keep it for review before the test only - not during it.
Provider support contact
Save the technical support phone number or email for the platform, in case of a connection failure or a locked account mid-test.
Email access for the certificate
Have access to the email address registered on your account so you can receive the result and download the certificate of completion promptly.
Operator registration status checked
The A1/A3 certificate is about remote pilot competence; depending on your drone's mass and the subcategory you fly in, operator registration with the national authority may be a separate step. Check what your national authority requires.
Plan the day
Confirm your test appointment or access window with the provider, verify all training modules are marked complete, and check that your account is not locked. Re-read the subject list and identify your two weakest areas; review those first.
Test the whole technical chain once: log in from the device you will use, open a sample or practice question set if offered, and confirm the browser is up to date with pop-up blockers and other tabs disabled.
Check that your photo ID is valid and not expired, and confirm with the provider whether ID verification or webcam monitoring is required for the online test.
Do a final review pass over airspace classes and restrictions, distances and altitudes relevant to the open category, and privacy/insurance basics. Stop studying in the evening rather than cramming overnight.
Charge laptop and phone, locate chargers, confirm the Wi-Fi password, and check whether any scheduled maintenance or outage is announced on the provider's site.
Get set up 15-20 minutes early in your quiet room. Close all other applications and tabs, silence your phone, put the ID next to you, and log in a few minutes before the start.
Read every question fully - many hinge on one word such as 'maximum', 'never' or 'except'. Answer the easy questions first if the platform allows navigation, flag uncertain ones, and return to them before submitting.
Keep an eye on the remaining time and make sure every question has an answer before you submit - an unanswered question scores the same as a wrong one.
Note or screenshot your result, download the certificate of completion, and store it with your drone documents. If the connection failed mid-test, contact the provider immediately rather than restarting on your own.
Rules to check
Take the test alone. Having another person in the room prompting you, or using search engines, AI assistants or messaging apps during the test, defeats the purpose of the assessment and can invalidate your result - check the provider's rules on this before you start.
The A1/A3 online test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and requires a pass mark of 75 per cent, i.e. at least 30 correct answers. Only one answer per question is correct.
The certificate of online training completion is issued after you pass. Check with your national aviation authority or provider how long it remains valid and whether it must be carried when flying - validity rules are applied nationally and are not identical everywhere.
Whether there is a fixed time limit, how many attempts you may take, and whether a failed attempt can be retaken immediately are set by the provider's platform. Confirm these with the provider rather than assuming.
Breaks: the test is short, so plan to sit it in one continuous session. Do not start if you know you may be interrupted; if the platform allows a pause, confirm in advance how it affects the timer.
Use only the material provided by your training platform plus your own notes during preparation. Learn the reasoning behind the rules - exam questions often place a rule in an unfamiliar scenario rather than asking for it verbatim.
If you fail, review the subject areas you missed before retaking; repeated attempts without diagnosis tend to produce the same result. Confirm any waiting period or fee with the provider.
The test is delivered in the language offered by your national authority or provider (commonly the national language or English). If you need a different language, arrange it with the provider well before the test date.