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FAA Instrument Rating Test
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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.

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350+ exam-style practice questions quiz pool

Your full practice pool — 350 questions total, written to mirror the real exam blueprint, with full answer explanations for every question.

8 exam domains covered

Including Preflight Preparation, Preflight Procedures, Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures, and more.

Full mock exam — 60 questions, 120-min timed

A complete, realistic exam-day simulation with the same question count and time limit as the real thing.

1000+ flashcards

Covering every key term, concept, and framework you're expected to know.

200+ curated video lessons

Hand-picked walkthroughs and explainers organized by topic.

43+ diagrams & visual references

Visual breakdowns of the frameworks and models the exam tests you on.

12+ key formulas & quick-reference sheet

The exact formulas and calculations you need, ready to review before test day.

117+ term glossary

A searchable glossary so unfamiliar terminology never slows you down.

Progress tracking & study planner

See your accuracy by domain, spot weak areas early, and follow a built-in study schedule.

Sage — your personalized AI study companion

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.

Works on phone, tablet & desktop

Study anywhere — your progress syncs on the device you are using and picks up where you left off.

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No subscriptions, no renewals — buy once and keep studying until you pass.

See the FAA Instrument Rating Test portal

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Portal Access
$27.99

Full study portal: question bank, quiz & exam modes, flashcards, glossary, progress tracking. One-time purchase, lifetime access.

+ Extra Mock Exam
$8.99

A mock exam written specifically for your order — not from the standard bank. Does not include portal access on its own. Order as many as you like; every order is a new batch, different from the one you previously purchased.

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+ Higher-Difficulty Tier
$11.99

A tougher, "exam-hard" mock exam written specifically for your order, pushed past standard difficulty. Does not include portal access on its own. Order as many as you like; every order is a new batch, different from the one you previously purchased.

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Best value
Full Bundle
$35.99

Portal Access plus one bonus Higher-Difficulty mock exam — the best-value way to start. (Extra Mock Exams can be added separately anytime, as many as you like.)

Digital Flashcards
$7.98

A custom set of flashcards written specifically for your order — pick how many you want. Delivered as its own unique link & code, separate from portal access.

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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.

Eligibility
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
Real exam cost
Set by the testing center that administers the test and paid when you schedule; confirm the current amount with the testing provider
Format
60 multiple-choice questions with three answer choices · 2 hours · passing score 70

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.

Last verified: October 2026·Exam blueprint: Compiled on October 30, 2026 from the FAA Instrument Rating Airplane Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-8C, effective May 31, 2024), the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing matrix and the FAA knowledge test table. The fee is not quoted because no FAA page lists it.·Primary source: FAA: Instrument Rating Airplane ACS (PDF) ↗
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Common questions

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. Format: 60 multiple-choice questions with three answer choices in 2 hours; the portal mock uses 60 questions in 120 minutes, and chart-based questions are described in words.

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