FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) airman knowledge test
The written test for your instrument rating — IFR regulations, weather, en route and approach charts, holding, clearances and instrument systems in one 60-question FAA test.
About the exam
The instrument rating lets a private or commercial pilot fly under instrument flight rules (IFR) — in clouds and low visibility, on airways and instrument approaches. It's the next step for most pilots after the private certificate, and a requirement for a career path. Before the instrument checkride you must pass the FAA's Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) knowledge test.
The test has 60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, each with three answer choices, and you need 70% to pass. It's taken on computer at an FAA-authorized PSI testing center with a photo ID, your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA and an endorsement from an authorized instructor. Approach plates, en route charts, departure procedures and weather products come from the FAA testing supplement (FAA-CT-8080-3F) or embedded images; the FAA has announced that from late October 2026 some questions will show images from current sectional, IFR en route and approach charts. You may use an approved calculator or E6B. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months.
Our practice covers every ACS area with original questions mapped to the knowledge elements, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — holding-pattern entries, descent rates for a glide path, climb gradients, IFR fuel and alternate requirements, VOR check tolerances and wind correction. Add flashcards for IFR regulations, minimums and weather codes, worked case walkthroughs that fly an approach plate from IAF to missed approach, illustrated guides to instruments and navigation displays, and timed practice tests at the real length with a score.
How we track your progress
Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:
- Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
- Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
- DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
- ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
- Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.
The exam blueprint
FAA-S-ACS-8C Instrument Rating – Airplane ACS (effective May 31, 2024) — IFR regulations, weather, flight planning, systems, ATC procedures, instrument flying, approaches and emergencies. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.
1 Pilot Qualifications and Regulations about 15% (est.) of the exam
59 practice questions in this domain so far
2 Weather Information about 22% (est.) of the exam
85 practice questions in this domain so far
3 IFR Cross-Country Flight Planning about 10% (est.) of the exam
39 practice questions in this domain so far
4 Systems, Instruments and Navigation Equipment about 15% (est.) of the exam
59 practice questions in this domain so far
5 ATC Clearances and Procedures about 13% (est.) of the exam
53 practice questions in this domain so far
6 Flight by Reference to Instruments and Navigation about 8% (est.) of the exam
33 practice questions in this domain so far
7 Instrument Approach Procedures about 13% (est.) of the exam
52 practice questions in this domain so far
8 Emergency Operations about 3% (est.) of the exam
20 practice questions in this domain so far
What you get when you access this exam
Free with your QuizMe account.
Questions built on the ACS
Every question is original and tagged to an ACS area of operation — three choices like the real test, with approach plates and en route charts described in text, holding-pattern diagrams and IFR weather reports.
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 — 60 questions in 2 hours — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.
Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides
Flashcards for IFR regulations, minimums and weather codes, 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.
Radio & callouts drill
Copy IFR clearances by ear, read back holds, approach clearances and amended routings, and handle lost-comm and emergencies — 18 scenarios with every call spoken.
Test at home or at a center
Get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA and an endorsement from your instrument instructor, then schedule the IRA test with PSI.
At a PSI test center
- Schedule through PSI's FAA testing portal and pick an FAA-authorized PSI knowledge testing center near you.
- Bring a current government-issued photo ID and your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA plus your authorized instructor's endorsement.
- The center provides the FAA testing supplement (the figures book), scratch paper and a pencil; phones, notes and bags are stored away.
- You may use an approved electronic calculator or flight computer (E6B) without stored aviation data — the proctor checks it before you start.
Before you book
- Remote or online testing isn't offered for the IRA test — it's taken in person at a PSI center.
- The FAA is converting chart questions to embedded images of current charts from late October 2026 — practice reading current approach plates and en route charts, not just one figures book.
- Bring your own approved calculator or E6B if you want one; check PSI's rules before test day.
- If you fail, you need additional training and a new endorsement from an authorized instructor before you retest (61.49).
Exam-day game plan
How to walk in ready — and how to pace 60 questions in 2 hours.
Pacing checkpoints
Our timed test uses the real length and time — 60 questions in 2 hours — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions. Figures that the real test shows from the testing supplement or as embedded images are reproduced as described text, tables or simple diagrams — not the official FAA charts.
The week before
- Take one full-length timed practice test 4–7 days out, then shorter sets and rest.
- Drill holding entries until you can pick direct, parallel or teardrop in seconds from a heading and an inbound course.
- Memorize the alternate rules: 1-2-3 for needing one, 600-2 and 800-2 for alternate minimums, 45 minutes of reserve fuel.
- Confirm your PSI appointment, endorsement, FTN and photo ID, and check your E6B or calculator.
During the test
- On approach plates, read the minimums table carefully — straight-in vs. circling, aircraft category, and the notes.
- Sketch holding patterns and DME arcs on scratch paper before choosing an answer.
- Watch for EXCEPT and NOT — they flip what you're looking for.
- Mark hard chart questions, pick your best answer and come back if time allows.
- Answer every question — 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.
- With three choices, ruling out one wrong answer leaves you a coin flip at worst.
- You need 42 of 60 — a few dense approach-plate questions won't sink you.
After you test
- Your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) shows your percent score and the ACS codes of every topic you missed; your instructor reviews them with you, and the examiner checks them on the checkride.
- The report is valid for 24 calendar months — you must complete the instrument practical test within that window or retake the knowledge test.
- Next comes the instrument practical test with an FAA examiner — an oral exam on IFR planning and procedures and a flight test including approaches, holding and partial-panel work.
Official sources and further reading
- Instrument Rating Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C) ↗Official areas of operation, tasks and knowledge elements.
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing ↗Testing advisories, applicant information, sample questions and the knowledge test table.
- FAA airman knowledge testing supplements ↗The figures books (FAA-CT-8080 series) provided at the test center.
Ready to start?
400 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.
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.