CAA NZ AME Aeroplanes 1 (Subject 4) exam-day guide
CAA NZ AME Aeroplanes 1 (Subject 4) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter / exam confirmation
Bring the confirmation issued by your examination provider (CAA or an approved examination centre). It usually states the subject, date, time, venue and any candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is accepted.
Photo identification
Bring current photo ID as specified by the provider, typically a passport or driver licence. The name must match the name on your enrolment. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a signature is required.
Permitted calculator
A basic or scientific calculator is useful for performance, weight and balance, and navigation-style questions. Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted (for example, whether programmable or memory-capable models are excluded) and whether the centre supplies one.
Stationery and any permitted reference material
Bring pens or pencils, an eraser and any approved reference material (for example, a supplied formula sheet or log tables). Do not assume an aviation text, plotter or computer is allowed; confirm with the provider what may be taken to the desk.
Know your candidate and subject details
Note your candidate number, the subject code and name (AME Aeroplanes 1, Subject 4), and the sitting date. These details are needed for the answer sheet and any queries on the day.
Check the venue and travel plan
Confirm the exact address, building entrance and reporting time, and plan to arrive with margin for traffic and security checks. If the venue is unfamiliar, do a trial run or check parking and public transport options in advance.
Review the current exam format and time allowance
Check the number of questions, the time allowed and the pass standard with the provider. Do not rely on memory or on second-hand reports from other candidates, because formats and syllabi can change between sittings.
Confirm rules on personal items
Ask in advance where bags, phones and smart watches must be stored. Most centres require phones switched off and out of reach. Confirm with the provider whether lockers are available or whether you should travel light.
Plan for breaks, food and medication
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted during the sitting and what the rules are for leaving and re-entering the room. If you need medication or an access arrangement, request it well before the exam date.
Rest and logistics the night before
Set two alarms, prepare your ID and confirmation in one place, and get a normal night's sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material; a short review of formulas and key definitions is enough.
Know the post-exam process
Ask how and when results are released, whether provisional results are given, and how to request a review or resit if needed. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming a timeline.
Access or special consideration arrangements
If you have a disability, injury or other circumstance that affects the sitting, confirm with the provider what evidence and notice period are required. Arrangements are usually easier to make before the exam date than on the day.
Plan the day
Re-read the current syllabus and confirm the exam format, time allowance and permitted items with the provider. Check your admission letter and ID are valid and that the names match your enrolment.
Do targeted revision of the aeroplane systems and principles topics in Subject 4: airframes, flight controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, landing gear, and basic performance and mass-and-balance calculations. Work through a small number of practice problems under timed conditions rather than re-reading notes.
Prepare a one-page summary of formulas, unit conversions and key definitions, and check it against your approved reference material. Confirm whether any of it may be taken into the exam room.
Confirm travel and venue logistics: address, entrance, parking or transport, and reporting time. Check the weather and traffic outlook and build in a buffer.
Do a light review only: formulas, definitions and a few worked examples. Stop studying early enough to sleep well. Avoid learning new topics at this stage.
Pack your ID, admission confirmation, permitted calculator and stationery in one bag. Charge your phone but plan to switch it off and store it during the exam.
Set alarms, confirm the departure time, and decide what you will eat before the sitting. Check any medication or access arrangements are in place.
Eat a normal meal and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Re-check that you have your ID and confirmation before leaving.
Do not attempt heavy last-minute study. A brief glance at your formula summary is enough; keep your mind fresh for the sitting.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions and the time allowed. Enter your candidate details correctly on the answer sheet and check the marking method (for example, one answer per question).
Work through the paper at a steady pace. Answer the questions you know first, mark uncertain ones, and return to them. Show working for calculations so you can check units and significant figures.
Watch the time and keep a reserve for transferring answers and checking. If a question is unclear, re-read it for qualifiers such as 'most likely' or 'not'.
Note anything you were unsure about while it is fresh, then leave the venue quietly. Confirm with the provider how and when results will be released and what the review or resit process is.
Rules to check
Follow the provider's instructions on ID and admission. You may be refused entry if your identification does not match your enrolment, so confirm the accepted forms with the provider in advance.
Personal electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must normally be switched off and stored away from your desk. Confirm with the provider whether any device is permitted and where it must be kept.
Only bring items the provider permits into the exam room. Confirm with the provider whether calculators, reference sheets, plotters or notes are allowed, and expect any prohibited item to be removed.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the sitting. If you need to speak to an invigilator, raise your hand and wait. Follow the provider's rules on leaving and re-entering the room.
If you need a break, ask the invigilator. Confirm with the provider in advance whether breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops or continues during an absence.
If you feel unwell or a problem affects your performance, tell the invigilator immediately and ask what to record. Confirm with the provider afterwards what evidence and process apply for special consideration.
Scoring and pass standards are set by the provider. Do not assume a mark from a practice test predicts your result. Confirm the pass standard, marking method and any negative-marking rule with the provider.
Results, reviews and resits follow the provider's published process and timelines. Confirm the deadlines and fees with the provider rather than relying on informal advice.