Failed my FAR/AIM written twice — what am I missing in my study guide? — Aviation

Chris D.OP

May 27, 2026

Okay so I'm honestly embarrassed to even post this but I've failed the FAR/AIM knowledge test twice now and I'm running out of ideas. First attempt I got a 68 (need a 70 to pass), second time a 69. I'm so close but I keep making dumb mistakes on airspace and weather minimums. I've been using the King Schools videos and the ASA test prep book but something's not clicking.

A buddy of mine suggested I shift away from just reading and start hammering practice questions instead. I started using the Aviation Aviation Regulations (FAR/AIM) practice test on this site and honestly the question format feels much closer to what actually shows up on the real exam. The explanations after each wrong answer have been helpful too.

Has anyone else been in this spot — close but not quite passing? How many hours did you actually put into studying before you felt confident? I'm aiming for a 80+ on my third attempt. Any exam tips from people who've been through this would mean a lot right now.

Alex G.

May 28, 2026

I passed on my second try after basically the same situation. The thing that finally helped me was doing timed practice tests instead of just reviewing material. I'd do a full 60-question Aviation practice test, note every wrong answer, then go straight to the FAR/AIM and find the exact regulation. That back-and-forth between testing and the actual source material made everything stick way better than just re-reading the study guide. Took me about three weeks of about an hour a day.

Jordan L.

May 28, 2026

Airspace questions got me too — there's so many overlapping rules for Class B, C, D, and E that it's easy to mix them up under pressure. What worked for me was drawing out the airspace diagrams by hand until I could do it from memory. Also, don't sleep on the ATIS and weather minimums questions, those show up constantly. How many practice tests have you been doing per week? I'd try to get at least two full-length sessions in before your next attempt.

Tom W.

May 28, 2026

69 is brutal, you're basically there. Don't change everything — just drill the specific categories you're missing. Most test prep software will show you your weak spots by topic. Focus there for two weeks and you'll clear 80 easily.

Failed my FAR/AIM written twice — what am I missing in my study guide?

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