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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

FAA Ground Instructor — Advanced (AGI) knowledge test

The knowledge test for an advanced ground instructor rating — 100 questions spanning the pilot knowledge for every certificate, plus the rules for teaching it on the ground.

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Also needed: Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) →

Questions100 multiple-choice questions
Time2 hours 30 minutes — 1 minute 30 seconds per question
Passing70% (70 of 100) — your score report lists the codes of any topics you missed
FormatThree answer choices (A, B, C), one best answer; figures from the FAA-CT-8080-5H testing supplement
WhereOn computer at an FAA-authorized PSI test center — about $175 at PSI (confirm when you book); remote testing isn't offered
EligibilityMinimum age 16 to test (18 for the certificate); FTN from IACRA and photo ID; no instructor endorsement listed for a first attempt; FOI too unless you're exempt
ValidityNo practical test — you apply for the rating with your passing report; confirm how long it's accepted when you apply

About the exam

An advanced ground instructor (AGI) rating lets you give ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas for any pilot certificate or rating except the instrument rating, give the ground training for any flight review except instrument training, and recommend applicants for any knowledge test except the instrument test (61.215(b)). There's no practical test — you earn the rating with the AGI knowledge test, plus the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test unless you're exempt. By regulation the AGI test covers the knowledge areas for the sport, recreational, private, commercial and airline transport pilot certificates (61.213(a)(4)).

The test has 100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, each with three answer choices (A, B, C), and you need 70% to pass. It's taken on computer at a PSI test center with a photo ID and an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA; the testing matrix lists no instructor endorsement for a first attempt and a minimum testing age of 16 (the certificate needs 18). Charts, performance graphs and weather products come from the FAA instructor and ground instructor testing supplement (FAA-CT-8080-5H). FOI is a separate test; you're exempt if you already hold a flight or ground instructor certificate, hold a state teaching certificate for grade 7 or higher, or teach at an accredited college or university (61.213(b)).

Our AGI bank covers private- and commercial-level pilot knowledge plus the ground instructor rules, with original questions and step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — wind triangle, density altitude, weight and balance and weight shift, load factor and stall speed in a bank, crosswind components, time, speed, distance and fuel. To be straight about scope: the real test also draws on airline transport pilot knowledge — Part 121 and 117 rules, transport-category performance and high-altitude aerodynamics — which you'll find in our ATP practice, and the FAA's AGI sample questions include some for other aircraft categories, while ours are airplane-based. Add flashcards, worked case walkthroughs, illustrated guides and timed practice tests at the real length — 100 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — with a score.

How we track your progress

Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:

  1. Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
  2. Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
  3. DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
  4. ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
  5. Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.

The exam blueprint

No ground instructor ACS — 14 CFR 61.213(a)(4)(ii): the aeronautical knowledge areas of 61.97, 61.105, 61.125, 61.155 and 61.309 (recreational, private, commercial, airline transport and sport pilot) — Private- and commercial-level regulations, airworthiness, weather, navigation, airspace, performance and aerodynamics, systems, human factors and operations, plus ground instructor privileges and teaching. Airline-transport-level topics are covered in our ATP practice. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.

1 Pilot Qualifications and Regulations about 14% (est.) of the exam
Certification, recent flight experience and logbooks (61.51–61.57)Private pilot privileges, limitations and cost sharing (61.113)Medical certificate classes, duration and BasicMedRequired documents and airworthiness certificates (91.203)Required inspections: annual, 100-hour, ELT, transponder, ADsPreventive maintenance a pilot may perform (Part 43)Required equipment for day and night VFR (91.205)Inoperative equipment (91.213)Right-of-way, minimum altitudes and fuel reserves (91.113–91.151)Alcohol and drugs (91.17); NTSB 830 accident reportingCommercial pilot privileges and limitations (61.133)Holding out and the Part 119 exceptions (119.1(e))Aeronautical experience for the certificate (61.129)Medical classes for commercial flying and BasicMed limitsFlight review, recent experience and night currencyComplex, high-performance, tailwheel and high-altitude endorsementsSpeed limits, fuel reserves and minimum altitudesLogbooks and recordkeepingNTSB 830 accident and incident reporting

135 practice questions in this domain so far

2 Airworthiness Requirements about 5% (est.) of the exam
Annual and 100-hour inspections for aircraft used for hireAirworthiness directives and compliance recordsInoperative equipment and MELs (91.213)Required equipment for day and night VFRSupplemental oxygen requirements (91.211)Special flight permitsRequired aircraft documents and maintenance records

28 practice questions in this domain so far

3 Weather Information about 16% (est.) of the exam
METARs, TAFs and PIREPsAIRMETs, SIGMETs and convective SIGMETsWinds and temperatures aloft forecastsSurface analysis, prog charts, GFA and radarAir masses, fronts, stability and lapse rateClouds, fog, thunderstorms and wind shearIcing and frostFlight deck weather displays (FIS-B)Winds and temperatures aloft, prog charts and GFAAtmospheric stability, lapse rates and frontsThunderstorms and wind shearStructural icing and frostMountain wave and clear air turbulenceFog, low ceilings and density altitude

135 practice questions in this domain so far

4 Cross-Country Planning and Navigation about 12% (est.) of the exam
Sectional chart reading and route planningVFR cruising altitudes (91.159)Wind triangle: wind correction angle and ground speed (E6B)Time, speed, distance and fuel calculationsTrue, magnetic and compass headings; variation and deviationVOR orientation: OBS, CDI and TO/FROMGPS navigationVFR flight plans: filing, opening and closingDiversion, lost procedures and intercept proceduresNavigation computations with the E6BAirspace entry requirements and VFR weather minimumsSpecial use airspace, TFRs and SFRAsVOR and GPS navigationSectional chart interpretationFuel, time and distance planning

106 practice questions in this domain so far

5 National Airspace System about 6% (est.) of the exam
Airspace classes A–G: entry and equipment requirementsVFR weather minimums (91.155)Sectional chart airspace symbols and altitudesSpecial use airspace and military training routesTFRs and special flight rules areasSpecial VFRTransponder and ADS-B Out requirements (91.215, 91.225)

53 practice questions in this domain so far

6 Performance, Aerodynamics and Weight & Balance about 17% (est.) of the exam
Density altitude and pressure altitudeTakeoff and landing distance chartsCrosswind and headwind componentsCruise performance tablesWeight and balance: CG from total moment / total weightWeight shift and loading graphsFour forces, stability and load factorStalls, spins, ground effect and left-turning tendenciesLoad factor, maneuvering speed and the V-g diagramManeuvering speed at reduced weightStall speed in turns, accelerated stalls and spinsRate and radius of turnWeight and balance: weight shift, add and remove, CG limitsTakeoff, climb, cruise and landing performance chartsRange and enduranceMultiengine aerodynamics: Vmc, critical engine, Vxse and VyseGround effect, wingtip vortices and wake turbulenceStability and propeller effects

148 practice questions in this domain so far

7 Aircraft Systems about 8% (est.) of the exam
Engine operation, mixture and magnetosCarburetor icing and carburetor heatFuel and electrical systemsPitot-static instruments and their errorsGyroscopic instruments and magnetic compass errorsPropellers, avionics and transponderConstant-speed propellers and manifold pressureTurbocharging and fuel injectionRetractable landing gear systemsPressurization and rapid decompressionSupplemental oxygen systems and requirementsIce protection and electrical systems

73 practice questions in this domain so far

8 Human Factors and Aeronautical Decision-Making about 5% (est.) of the exam
Hypoxia and hyperventilationSpatial disorientation and visual illusionsCarbon monoxide poisoning and motion sicknessAlcohol, drugs and fitness for flightHazardous attitudes and their antidotesAeronautical decision-making and risk managementTypes of hypoxia and time of useful consciousnessAeronautical decision-making and hazardous attitudesCrew resource and single-pilot resource managementRisk management and fatigue

51 practice questions in this domain so far

9 Airport, Night and Emergency Operations about 9% (est.) of the exam
Runway and taxiway markings, signs and lightingVASI and PAPI glide path indicatorsLight gun signalsTraffic patterns, wake turbulence and collision avoidanceRadio communications, ATIS and transponder codesNight vision and night operationsEmergency proceduresWake turbulence avoidanceEmergency descentsSystems and equipment malfunctionsEngine failure and emergency approach and landingEmergency equipment and survival gearCollision avoidance and radio procedures

71 practice questions in this domain so far

10 Ground Instructor Privileges and Teaching about 8% (est.) of the exam
Ground instructor ratings and privileges (61.213, 61.215)Ground instructor recent experience (61.217)Knowledge-test endorsements and retests (61.35, 61.49)Endorsements only a flight instructor may giveInstructor records and responsibilitiesTeaching ground subjects: lesson planning and assessment

30 practice questions in this domain so far

What you get when you access this exam

Free with your QuizMe account.

Questions built on the knowledge areas

Every question is original and tagged to a pilot knowledge area or ground-instructor rule — three choices like the real test, with described charts, performance tables, loading graphs and weather products.

Hints and worked solutions

Reveal the rule, reference or formula behind the question when you're stuck. Every answer has the full rationale, and every calculation is solved step by step.

Adaptive practice

Questions steer toward your weakest areas, weighted like the real test, and get harder as you get stronger.

Timed practice tests

Full-length tests at the real pace — 100 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.

Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides

Flashcards for regulations, endorsements, V-speeds and airspace minimums, worked case walkthroughs that reason through harder questions step by step, and interactive illustrated guides you explore hotspot by hotspot.

Progress in every area

Each area moves from Not started to Exam ready, so you know exactly what to study next.

Test at home or at a center

The AGI test is scheduled and taken through PSI, the FAA's knowledge-testing provider. Create a profile in IACRA to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN), then choose a PSI test center and time. Remote testing is not offered for FAA airman knowledge tests.

At a PSI test center

  • Book through PSI's FAA scheduling site; the fee is paid to PSI, not the FAA — about $175 at PSI (confirm when you book).
  • Bring a current government-issued photo ID that meets FAA identification rules, and your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
  • The center gives you the FAA-CT-8080-5H testing supplement with the charts and figures; some questions show images on screen.
  • You may use an FAA-approved flight computer (E6B) and calculator under the test center's rules; PSI's testing system also includes an on-screen E6B.

Before you book

  • The testing matrix lists no instructor endorsement for a first attempt at AGI — check the current matrix before you book.
  • Plan for FOI too unless you're exempt: current flight or ground instructors, state-certified teachers for grade 7 or higher and accredited college or university teachers don't take it (61.213(b)).
  • Brush up on airline-level topics — Part 121 and 117 rules, transport-category performance and high-altitude aerodynamics — with our ATP practice, since this bank stops at the commercial level.
  • If you retake after a failure, bring the failed test report and an endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave you the additional training.

Exam-day game plan

How to walk in ready — and how to pace 100 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes.

Pacing checkpoints

Our timed test uses the real length and time — 100 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions. Figures that the real test shows from the FAA-CT-8080-5H testing supplement or as embedded images are reproduced as described text, tables or simple diagrams — not the official FAA charts.

25questions0:37
50questions1:15
75questions1:52
100questions2:30

The week before

  • Take one full-length timed practice test 4–7 days out, then shorter sets and rest.
  • Rehearse the calculations until they're routine: wind triangle, density altitude, weight shift, load factor and crosswind.
  • Review the ground instructor rules: what basic, advanced and instrument ground instructors may teach and endorse (61.215) and the 12-month recent-experience rule (61.217).
  • Confirm your PSI appointment, your FTN, your ID and the flight computer and calculator you'll bring.

During the test

  • Pace yourself at about 1½ minutes a question — calculation and chart questions take longer, recall questions much less.
  • For chart questions, check the figure number and read the legend, units and notes before you start computing.
  • Read which certificate the question is about — private, commercial and ATP rules differ on experience, medicals and operating limits.
  • Expect some airline-level questions and some on other aircraft categories; eliminate what you can and move on.
  • Mark hard questions, answer every one and come back if time allows — there's no penalty for guessing.

Keep your head

  • A few nerves sharpen focus. If you freeze, take three slow breaths and reread the question.
  • You need 70 of 100 — a handful of unfamiliar airline or rotorcraft questions won't sink you.
  • Missed topics show up as codes on your report — a study list for your own teaching, not a black mark.

After you test

  • You get your Airman Knowledge Test Report at the test center; it shows your score and the codes of any knowledge areas you missed.
  • There's no practical test for a ground instructor rating — you apply through IACRA with your passing AGI report (and FOI, unless you're exempt), and an FAA office or authorized certifying official issues the certificate. Confirm how long your report is accepted when you apply.
  • To use your ground instructor privileges you must meet the recent-experience rule (61.217): within the preceding 12 calendar months, work as a ground or flight instructor, complete an approved flight instructor refresher course, or get an endorsement from an authorized instructor.

Official sources and further reading

Ready to start?

830 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.

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QuizMe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA or PSI. All questions are original. Details are summarized from FAA sources (ACS, testing matrix, 14 CFR); rules and policies change — always confirm at faa.gov. Estimated scores are rough guides.