Aviation Legislation and Regulatory Framework
What you must understand
Civil aviation regulation follows a layered structure: international standards from ICAO (the Chicago Convention and its Annexes), national law that gives the regulator legal power, and the regulator's own regulations, advisory material and acceptable means of compliance. Under a GCAA-style system you should know the difference between a regulation (mandatory), an advisory circular or guidance material (not mandatory but an accepted way of showing compliance), and a standard adopted by reference. Understand the licence and rating framework: categories, type ratings, privileges and limitations of an AME licence, the validity of medical and recency requirements where applicable, and the privileges of certification - who may certify a maintenance release and under what conditions. Know the roles: the State of Registry, State of Design and State of Manufacture; the operator's responsibilities; the approved maintenance organisation and its exposition; and the relationship between the maintenance programme, the approved organisation and the certifying staff.
Traps
Questions often blur mandatory and advisory text, or ask who is responsible when work is subcontracted. Remember that the operator remains responsible for airworthiness even when maintenance is contracted. Another trap is confusing a licence privilege with an authorisation issued by the organisation.
Rule of thumb
If the question asks "must", look for regulation; if it asks "may, provided an acceptable means of compliance is used", look for guidance material. Responsibility for airworthiness never transfers away from the operator.