Instrument Rating, Airplane (IRA) Airman Knowledge Test — Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA Instrument Rating Airplane knowledge test is the written test pilots pass before the instrument rating practical test. It has 60 multiple-choice questions with three answer choices, and a passing score is 70. It draws on the areas of the Airman Certification Standards: preflight preparation, clearances and procedures, flight by reference to instruments, navigation systems, instrument approach procedures and emergency operations. SummitCert's portal gives you explained practice questions, flashcards, a timed 60-question mock and progress tracking by area.
One-time purchase · lifetime access · study on any device
Everything included — in full detail
This is exactly what you unlock. No vague promises — real numbers, straight from the portal.
Your full practice pool — 350 questions total, written to mirror the real exam blueprint, with full answer explanations for every question.
Including Preflight Preparation, Preflight Procedures, Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures, and more.
A complete, realistic exam-day simulation with the same question count and time limit as the real thing.
Covering every key term, concept, and framework you're expected to know.
Hand-picked walkthroughs and explainers organized by topic.
Visual breakdowns of the frameworks and models the exam tests you on.
The exact formulas and calculations you need, ready to review before test day.
A searchable glossary so unfamiliar terminology never slows you down.
See your accuracy by domain, spot weak areas early, and follow a built-in study schedule.
Tailored to this exam: it knows your progress and weak areas, remembers your earlier chats, and picks up where you left off on your other devices.
Study anywhere — your progress syncs on the device you are using and picks up where you left off.
No subscriptions, no renewals — buy once and keep studying until you pass.
See the FAA Instrument Rating Test portal
Real screenshots — this is exactly what you'll be studying in. Click to zoom in.
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Topics you'll drill
8 core topics pulled straight from the real question bank.
- Preflight Preparation
- Preflight Procedures
- Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures
- Flight by Reference to Instruments
- Navigation Systems
- Instrument Approach Procedures
- Emergency Operations
- Postflight Procedures
FAA Instrument Rating Test exam requirements & cost
Straight from the certifying body — separate from what we charge for the study portal.
The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing matrix and knowledge test table list the Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) test at 60 questions in 2 hours with a passing score of 70 percent; the portal mock uses 60 questions and 120 minutes. Some documents print a longer time, so confirm it in the current FAA matrix. Each question has three answer choices, and the FAA publishes the question topics in the Instrument Rating Airplane Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-8C, effective May 31, 2024). The real test includes figures and charts; the portal describes them in words. The FAA lists a passing score of 70 percent for the Instrument Rating Airplane knowledge test; the portal mock uses the same 70 percent as a self-check target. The testing center sets the fee for each attempt and it differs by provider, so no amount is quoted here; confirm the current fee when you schedule. You need an instructor endorsement or other qualifying documentation and a pilot certificate as the FAA requires; confirm the current rules with your instructor and the FAA. The portal is a practice aid: it is not a copy of the FAA test and does not predict your result.
Real pass rate, retake policy, scoring, and a study timeline for FAA Instrument Rating Test — free, no purchase required.
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