The Part 107 test is moderately hard. It's not a math-heavy pilot exam, but it does expect you to read aviation sectional charts and weather reports that most new drone pilots have never seen. You get 60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and need 70% to pass. With two to four weeks of focused study, most people pass on the first try.
What makes it hard
The regulations section is the easy part. People who fail usually struggle with:
- Sectional charts. Reading airspace boundaries, floor and ceiling altitudes, tower frequencies and obstacle heights from the FAA testing supplement.
- Weather reports. Decoding METARs and TAFs, such as wind, visibility, cloud layers and their heights.
- Airspace classes. Knowing when authorization is needed and how altitudes are measured (MSL vs AGL).
- Aeronautical decision-making. Crew resource management, hazardous attitudes and checklists like IMSAFE.
- Loading and performance. How weight, density altitude and turns affect the aircraft.
Many questions use real chart excerpts and choices that differ by one detail, so careful reading matters as much as knowledge.
What it's like on test day
- You take it at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center, not online.
- Bring government photo ID and your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA.
- The center gives you the testing supplement with the charts and figures, and a basic calculator is allowed.
- You see your score when you finish. Your test report lists the knowledge areas you missed.
If you fail, you can retake it after a waiting period. You pay the testing fee again. See Part 107 cost and Part 107 passing score.
A study plan that works
Week 1: rules and airspace. Read Part 107 itself and the FAA's Remote Pilot study guide. Learn airspace classes and when you need LAANC. Our LAANC guide helps.
Week 2: charts. Work through sectional chart legends with the FAA testing supplement. Practice finding airspace floors, airports and obstacles on chart figures.
Week 3: weather and decision-making. Decode a few METARs and TAFs every day. Learn the IMSAFE checklist and the five hazardous attitudes.
Week 4: practice tests. Take timed practice exams until you score 85% or better consistently, then book the real test. Start with our Part 107 practice test and study guide.
Tips that help on the first try
- Read every chart question twice, and check units (feet MSL vs AGL, statute vs nautical miles).
- Flag hard questions and come back. Two hours is enough time for 60 questions.
- Don't overthink regulation questions; the plain reading of the rule is usually right.
- Study the testing supplement you'll get at the center, not random chart images.
After you pass
Apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate in IACRA, complete the TSA background check, and you'll get a temporary certificate by email. Keep current with free recurrent training every 24 months. See Part 107 and Part 107 renewal.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Ready to book? See Part 107 testing centers.
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