CPL Aircraft General Knowledge exam-day guide
CPL Aircraft General Knowledge · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original government-issued photo identification you used when booking. The exact accepted document types and whether a secondary ID is required vary by examination centre and administering organisation, so confirm with the provider before test day. Do not rely on a photocopy or a photo on your phone.
Admission or confirmation document
Carry the booking confirmation, candidate number, or admission letter the provider issues. Check whether the provider expects a printed copy or accepts a digital version; if unsure, print it. Confirm with the provider which document they require.
Know your exact test location and arrival time
Write down the venue address, building entrance, room number, and the reporting time stated on your confirmation. Note that reporting time is usually earlier than the scheduled start, but the margin differs between centres, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming a figure.
Approved calculator or none at all
Aircraft General Knowledge questions can involve simple performance, mass-and-balance, or conversion arithmetic. Check the current rules on calculators for your specific sitting; many providers restrict them to non-programmable types or supply an on-screen tool. Confirm with the provider and do not bring a programmable or graphing model unless explicitly permitted.
No unauthorised electronic devices
Phones, smart watches, earbuds, and similar devices are normally barred from the test room. Plan to switch them off and stow them as instructed. The precise policy on storing bags and devices is set by the venue, so confirm with the provider.
Study notes and reference material left outside the room
Revision notes, textbooks, and loose paper normally cannot be taken to the desk. Review them beforehand and leave them in a bag or at home. Ask the provider whether any reference data, such as a conversion table, is supplied on screen or in a printed booklet.
Personal comfort items and medication
Bring water, a light snack for before or after the test, and any prescribed medication you may need. Whether food and drink are allowed at the desk varies; confirm with the provider. If you have a medical condition or access requirement, arrange any permitted adjustments in advance, as they usually cannot be granted on the day.
A working knowledge of the exam interface
Before the day, familiarise yourself with how the provider's question screens, answer flagging, and review functions work, using any sample or demonstration material the provider offers. This removes avoidable hesitation during the test. Do not assume a particular interface; confirm with the provider what demonstration material exists.
A revision plan focused on weak topics
In the final days, prioritise topics you repeatedly get wrong rather than re-reading everything. For Aircraft General Knowledge, typical areas include airframe and systems, powerplant, electrics, hydraulics, pneumatics, fuel, ice and rain protection, and instruments. Target your own weak areas specifically.
Rest, travel, and a backup plan
Plan the journey with a buffer for delays, and identify a backup route or earlier service. Aim for a normal night's sleep rather than last-minute cramming. If you are travelling far, consider arriving the day before, but check any venue-specific requirements with the provider.
Plan the day
Switch from broad reading to targeted practice. Work through questions on your weakest Aircraft General Knowledge topics and write short explanations of why each wrong answer is wrong; this exposes gaps better than recognition alone. Revisit system diagrams and normal and abnormal operating figures you keep confusing. Confirm your booking details, venue, reporting time, and what you are permitted to bring by checking with the provider. Prepare your ID and confirmation document and put them somewhere you will not forget them.
Do a light review of summary sheets and key definitions only; avoid learning new material. Recheck the venue address, travel route, and reporting time. Pack your ID, confirmation, and any permitted items. Set two alarms. Eat normally, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. If you feel underprepared, resist an all-night session, as fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of revision gains.
Eat a proper breakfast and allow more travel time than you think you need. Arrive at or slightly before the reporting time. Leave phones and notes stowed as instructed. Do a brief, calm review of a one-page summary at most, then put it away. Use the toilet before entering the room. Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, ID checks, and any security procedures.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions and time allowed before starting. Work at a steady pace, and note roughly how much time per question you have. Answer the questions you know first; flag uncertain ones and return to them. Read each stem fully, watching for negatives such as 'except' or 'not'. Eliminate clearly wrong options before choosing. For calculation questions, estimate the answer first and check units. If time allows, review flagged questions but be cautious about changing answers without a clear reason. Ensure every question is answered before submitting, since unanswered questions normally score zero.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo identification accepted by the administering organisation and be ready to show it at check-in. Document requirements vary, so confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a second form is needed.
Arrive by the stated reporting time. Late arrival may result in refusal of admission or a shortened test, depending on the provider's rules. Confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed.
Do not bring unauthorised materials or devices into the test room. Follow all invigilator instructions on stowing belongings, and switch off phones and watches. Attempting to use prohibited material is normally treated as misconduct and can lead to invalidation.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks. Some sittings allow scheduled breaks and others do not, and the clock may or may not stop during a break. Confirm with the provider before the day so you can plan hydration and timing.
Understand the scoring before you sit. Find out the pass mark, whether wrong answers are penalised, and whether results are given immediately or later. These details are set by the provider and can change, so confirm them rather than relying on hearsay.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, follow the provider's published procedure and deadlines. Do not assume a refund or transfer is available; confirm the terms with the provider.
If you have a disability, medical condition, or other access requirement, request any permitted adjustments well before the test date. Adjustments are usually arranged in advance and cannot be granted on the day, so confirm with the provider.
Raise any problem during the test, such as a faulty workstation, noise, or a question you believe is defective, with the invigilator immediately. Report it through the provider's process afterwards if needed, as unresolved issues are harder to address later.