The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test costs $175 per attempt at a PSI testing center. If you fail, you wait 14 days and pay $175 again. That’s why preparation matters.
I’ve helped hundreds of drone pilots pass their Part 107 exam, and the pattern is always the same: the pilots who pass on the first try all do three things right.
1. Understand What the Exam Actually Tests
The Part 107 exam has 60 multiple-choice questions. You need 42 correct answers (70%) to pass. You get 2 hours.
The five topic areas and their approximate weights:
- Operations (35-45%) — This is the biggest section. Covers preflight checks, crew resource management, emergency procedures, and aeronautical decision-making.
- Regulations (15-25%) — Part 107 rules: max altitude (400 ft AGL), max speed (87 knots), visibility minimums (3 SM), and operating limitations.
- Airspace (15-25%) — Airspace classes, sectional chart reading, TFRs, NOTAMs, and LAANC authorization.
- Weather (11-16%) — METARs, TAFs, density altitude, wind shear, and weather hazards.
- Loading & Performance (7-11%) — Weight and balance, center of gravity, and how temperature/altitude affect performance.
2. Practice with Realistic Questions
The single best predictor of exam success is consistent practice test scores above 85%. Not 70% — that’s the bare minimum, and the real exam will have questions you haven’t seen.
Our free Part 107 practice test has 150+ questions covering all five topic areas with instant scoring and detailed explanations. It uses the same 60-question, timed format as the real exam. Take it as many times as you want — questions are randomized each time.
3. Follow a Study Schedule
Most students who pass on the first try study for 2-4 weeks. Here’s the schedule I recommend:
Week 1: Read the FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Take the practice test to get your baseline score.
Week 2: Focus on your weakest areas. Most people struggle with sectional charts and weather. Watch video lessons if reading isn’t clicking.
Week 3: Take the practice test daily. Review every wrong answer. Look up the specific CFR reference for each question you miss.
Week 4: When you’re consistently scoring 85%+ on the practice test, schedule your exam. Book at a PSI testing center near you through faa.psiexams.com.
What to Expect on Exam Day
Bring a government-issued photo ID. You’ll get a supplement booklet with sectional chart excerpts, a calculator, and scratch paper. The testing center handles everything else.
You’ll know your score immediately after finishing. If you pass, your temporary certificate is available through IACRA within a few days. Your permanent card arrives by mail in 6-8 weeks.
The Bottom Line
Pass on your first try by knowing the material, practicing consistently, and scoring well above the minimum before you book. Start with the free practice test to see where you stand.
If you want structured preparation with video lessons, quizzes, and a pass guarantee, the Part 107 Course is $97 — less than the cost of one failed exam attempt.