FAA Ground Instructor exam-day guide
FAA Ground Instructor · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Unexpired government-issued photo ID with your signature
A driver's license, passport, or military ID. The name on the ID must match the name on your registration and FAA record. No ID generally means no test - confirm the testing center's exact ID acceptance list before you travel.
FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA
The testing center needs your FTN to pull up your airman record and report the score. Retrieve it from your IACRA profile the week before so you are not hunting for it at the counter.
Appointment confirmation and payment receipt
Have the confirmation email or number available on paper, since phones are usually not allowed in the testing area. Confirm the test you are scheduled for (Basic, Advanced, or Instrument Ground Instructor) - the codes differ and cannot always be swapped on the spot.
A clear decision on which knowledge test(s) you are taking that day
BGI, AGI, and IGI are separate tests. If you want to sit more than one in a single visit, confirm with the provider in advance that the schedule and fee allow it.
Arrival plan with a 30-minute buffer
Testing centers commonly ask you to arrive about 30 minutes early for check-in and paperwork. Build in parking, traffic, and security time; late arrival can mean losing the seat and the fee.
Prohibited items left at home or in the vehicle
Phone, smartwatch, fitness band, earbuds, notes, flashcards, textbooks, bags, and food/drink are typically barred from the testing room. Do not plan to 'just keep it in your pocket.'
No personal copy of the FAA testing supplement
The Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement (figures, charts, legends) is supplied by the testing center, on screen or in a provided booklet. Do not bring your own annotated copy; confirm the format (paper vs. on-screen) when you schedule.
Calculator / flight computer policy confirmed
Do not assume you may bring an electronic calculator or E6-B into the room. Ask the provider what, if anything, is permitted for the ground instructor tests and whether an on-screen calculator is available.
Layered clothing and a light snack for after the test
Testing rooms are often cold and you may be seated for a couple of hours. Eat a normal meal beforehand; leave snacks in the car or lobby rather than the test room.
A one-page summary of your weak areas only
Bring it to review in the lobby before check-in, not into the room. Base it on the knowledge-area codes from your practice tests rather than re-reading an entire textbook.
Confirmed eligibility: age 18 for the certificate itself
The ground instructor certificate requires you to be at least 18. Confirm with your provider whether any age or documentation requirement applies at the knowledge-test stage, since test eligibility and certificate eligibility are not identical.
Note-taking materials left behind
Scratch paper and pencil are normally provided and collected by the center. Bringing your own paper or pen is commonly treated as a testing irregularity.
Plan the day
Reconfirm the appointment date, time, and street address with the provider, and confirm which test code you are scheduled for. Verify your FTN is retrievable and your ID is unexpired and signed. Take one or two full-length practice sets under timed conditions, then list the three or four knowledge areas where you are weakest.
Study only the weak-area list. Stop adding new material. If you are consistently scoring comfortably above 70 percent on practice sets, shift to light review rather than new content.
Light review of your one-page summary, then stop. Lay out your ID, confirmation, and directions. Check the weather and commute time, set two alarms, and get a normal night's sleep - do not stay up cramming.
Eat a normal meal, skip the last-minute textbook, and arrive with your 30-minute buffer. Leave prohibited items in the vehicle. At check-in, confirm the test name on the screen matches the test you prepared for before you begin.
Read each question to the end before choosing - many miss items turn on one word. Use the provided supplement for any figure or chart question. Answer every question as you go; flag uncertain ones and return to them. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a blank.
Use any remaining time to review flagged items, then submit. Collect your printed score report and keep the original - you will need it for certificate issuance, and it does not stay valid indefinitely. Note the knowledge-area codes you missed so a retest, if needed, is targeted.
Rules to check
Bring an unexpired government-issued photo ID bearing your signature, with a name matching your registration. If the name does not match, resolve it with the provider before test day - confirm their correction procedure rather than assuming it can be fixed at the counter.
Expect a secure, monitored testing room. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags stay outside; scratch materials are provided. Attempting to use outside material or another person's help is a testing irregularity that can void your score and be reported to the FAA.
Ask the provider in advance about breaks. Many centers allow you to sign out for a brief break with the clock still running, but policies vary - confirm rather than assume, and plan hydration so you do not need one mid-test.
The passing score for the ground instructor knowledge tests is 70 percent. Your result is printed at the center immediately after you finish.
Guess on anything you do not know. Unanswered questions count as wrong; there is no scoring penalty for a wrong answer.
Do not bring your own copy of the FAA testing supplement, an electronic calculator, or a flight computer unless the provider has explicitly told you it is allowed.
Keep the original, printed knowledge test report. It carries knowledge-area codes and is required when you apply for the ground instructor certificate; confirm its validity period with the evaluator or FSDO handling your application, as it is not open-ended.
A knowledge test alone does not issue a certificate. Confirm with the provider or your FSDO what documentation and application steps (including the practical/records review for ground instructor applicants) follow the test, so you are not surprised afterward.