IA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the IA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
IA exam key facts
- The FAA Inspection Authorization (IAR) knowledge test has 50 scored questions. Any unscored validation questions are not counted in that number. Source
- The passing score on the FAA Inspection Authorization (IAR) knowledge test is 70. Source
- An applicant who fails the FAA Inspection Authorization written test may not apply to retest until at least 90 days after the failure. To retest, they bring the failed test report and a newly endorsed Form 8610-1. Source
- Every FAA Inspection Authorization expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year, so the current authorizations expire on March 31, 2027. Source
📋 IA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 IA Topics to Study (38)
✍️ Sample IA Questions & Answers
1. Which regulation specifically lists fuel filters and strainers as items that must be inspected during an annual inspection?
14 CFR Part 43, Appendix D provides the scope and detail of items to be included in an annual or 100-hour inspection, which includes fuel system components such as filters and strainers.
2. What does an IA look for when inspecting aircraft antenna mounts during an annual?
Antenna mount inspection focuses on structural security, corrosion at the mount plate, and proper electrical bonding to ensure the antenna functions correctly and doesn't create a structural weak point.
3. What is the IA's role in verifying that aircraft equipment matches the aircraft's current equipment list?
The aircraft's equipment list is part of the approved type design; items added or removed must be properly documented, and the IA must verify the aircraft conforms to its approved configuration.
4. What does an IA check regarding propeller tracking during an annual inspection?
Propeller tracking verifies that all blades rotate in essentially the same plane; excessive deviation indicates a bent blade or flange misalignment.
5. What is the IA's liability if they approve an aircraft for return to service and a subsequent accident reveals an undetected defect?
An IA who failed to follow required inspection procedures or acted negligently may face FAA enforcement action and civil liability; an IA who followed all applicable standards has a strong defense.
6. To qualify for an IA, an applicant must have been actively engaged in maintaining certificated aircraft for at least how long?
14 CFR 65.91 requires at least 2 years of active maintenance experience.
🎯 Free IA Practice Tests
📖 IA Guides & Articles
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for IA
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length IA mock exam — 53 questions in 180 minutes with a 70% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
- A fixed IA question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable IA cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- IA flashcards built from the same question bank.
- Free IA practice tests with the correct answer shown after each question.
How this page was made: written with AI tools. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy