Most people can be ready for the FAA Part 107 exam in a weekend to two weeks of focused study. Here’s what that actually looks like — real timelines, a day-by-day plan, and the readiness rule that tells you when to book the test.
Typical study timelines
| Your background | Realistic study time |
|---|---|
| No aviation background (most people) | 10–20 hours over 1–2 weeks |
| Some aviation exposure | 6–10 hours over a weekend |
| Manned-aircraft pilot | 3–5 hours of drone-specific rules review |
The focused weekend plan
| When | What to study |
|---|---|
| Saturday morning | Regulations and operating rules — the “easy points” (about a third of the exam) |
| Saturday afternoon | Airspace classes A–G, then sectional chart basics |
| Sunday morning | Weather: METARs, TAFs, density altitude, micrometeorology |
| Sunday afternoon | Loading/performance + radio/airport operations, then a full 60-question practice test |
| Sunday evening | Review every miss; retake weak-topic questions |
The two-week plan (1–2 hours a day)
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Regulations, remote pilot responsibilities, waivers |
| Days 4–6 | Airspace + sectional charts (spend extra time here — most-failed topic) |
| Days 7–9 | Weather theory, METARs/TAFs, effects on performance |
| Days 10–11 | Loading, performance, emergency procedures, crew resource management |
| Days 12–14 | Full practice tests daily; drill every missed question to 80%+ twice |
The three topics that decide pass or fail
Sectional charts (the most-failed topic), airspace classes, and weather/METARs carry most of the exam’s difficulty. A focused course front-loads exactly these; a 200-lesson course buries them in filler. That’s the entire design philosophy behind our 54-lesson course.
How to know you’re ready
Score 80%+ on full-length practice tests, twice in a row. The real exam needs 70% (42 of 60), so an 80% standard gives you margin for exam nerves. Take the free 60-question practice test — instant scoring with explanations, pulled from a 178-question bank, no purchase needed.
Want the full picture first? See what the exam and license really cost and how course prices compare in 2026. Our course carries a pass guarantee: finish it, hit 80%+ on practice exams, and if you don’t pass, you get a full refund.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pass Part 107 without a course?
Some people do, using the FAA’s free study materials and YouTube. But the failure stories almost always share one trait: no realistic practice exams. If you self-study, at minimum take full-length practice tests until you score 80%+ twice — a $175 retake costs three times a budget course.
What happens if I fail the Part 107 exam?
You wait 14 calendar days and pay another $175 to retake it at a PSI center. That’s why the 80%-twice practice standard matters: it builds margin above the real exam’s 70% bar.
What is the hardest part of the Part 107 exam?
Sectional charts, by a wide margin — reading airspace classes, identifying towers and frequencies, and interpreting symbols. Weather (METARs/TAFs) is second. Together they decide most pass/fail outcomes.
Can I cram Part 107 in one day?
A manned-aircraft pilot can review drone-specific rules in a few hours. For everyone else, one day is a gamble: charts and airspace need repetition to stick. Give it at least a focused weekend with practice tests.
How many questions is the Part 107 exam?
60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours. You need 70% (42 correct) to pass. Scores come immediately at the PSI testing center.