United States · Knowledge testSample tests, test prep and online ground schools compared
| Option | Price | Free to use | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official sources | |||
PSI sample testsSample tests for the FAA knowledge tests, on the site of PSI, the FAA’s testing vendorUnder Exam Resources on PSI’s FAA site, sorted by category. PSI says the samples show some types of question but not the full range of content or difficulty. The FAA points candidates here to see the format of questions with embedded images. | No charge | Yes, PSI’s bulletins call it a free sample test | |
FAA ACS, handbooks and testing supplementsThe FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for each test, the handbooks they cite and the figure books used at the test centerThe Private Pilot Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C) lists every element the test can cover. The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the Airplane Flying Handbook are in the references of every task. | No charge; PDFs on faa.gov | The FAA says these documents are in the public domain and may be copied without permission | |
| Question banks | |||
Gleim FAA Test Prep OnlineOnline question bank with study outlines and on-screen figuresThe Private Pilot course covers the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR), recreational-to-private transition (PAT) and Recreational Pilot Airplane (RPA) tests, with over 760 questions, unlimited practice test sessions and explanations for right and wrong answers. Access lasts 12 months from purchase. | $79.95 for Private Pilot; $89.95 each for Instrument, Commercial and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) | No; Gleim offers an online demo | |
ASA Test Prep with PrepwareTest prep book plus Prepware Online practice tests, 2027-2028 editionsThe private pilot edition covers the private, sport and recreational tests and includes 24 months of Prepware Online with unlimited practice tests. ASA says each question carries its ACS code and that the figures from the FAA’s testing supplement are included. | $29.95 for Private Pilot; $44.95 Instrument; $39.95 Commercial; $99.95 ATP | No | |
Sheppard AirDownloadable study courses for the instrument, commercial, instructor and ATP testsNo private pilot course: its private pilot page sends students to free resources instead. You enroll by phone, and its courses carry money-back guarantees in its own terms, including a 90% minimum score on the ATP tests. | $50 Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA); $50 Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX); $90 ATP Multiengine (ATM) | A free trial of its study platform with a demo course | |
| Online ground schools | |||
King Schools Private Pilot Online Ground School & Test PrepVideo ground school with test prep software and appsAbout 15 hours of course, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 2,386 reviews on King’s page. King says its software can create your knowledge test endorsement from your results, and it offers a money-back guarantee. | $299 | No; King includes lifetime access and updates | |
Sporty’s Learn to Fly CourseOnline private pilot ground school with FAA test prep, 2027 editionSporty’s says you get an official endorsement to take the written test once you finish the course and its practice exams, and that if you don’t pass the knowledge test, oral and flight test you’re entitled to a full refund. Apps for phones, tablets and TV. | $299 | No; Sporty’s says updates are free for life | |
Pilot Institute Part 61 Private Pilot Ground SchoolOnline private pilot ground school with live office hoursPilot Institute says that if you don’t pass the FAA test on your first try, it refunds the course and sends you $175. Its Airplane Maneuvers Mastery course is included. | $249, lifetime access | No; Pilot Institute calls the knowledge test endorsement free | |
Prices and ratings checked October 2026.
Where can you take a private pilot written exam practice test?
Start with PSI. On its FAA site, the Exam Resources link at the top of the page leads to sample tests, sorted by category: the Private Pilot Airplane test sits under Recreational & Private Pilot. PSI says the sample questions show some of the types of questions you may see, but they don’t cover the full range of content or difficulty on the real test.
The FAA’s testing FAQ says it doesn’t release live questions, adds and revises questions all the time, and varies the order and wording from one test to the next. In 2026 the FAA also moved more figures inside the questions, and its testing advisory sends candidates to PSI’s sample questions to see the image format.
Question banks or a full ground school
A question bank suits you if you’ve learned the material, from an instructor or a book, and want to drill. Gleim’s FAA Test Prep Online and ASA’s Test Prep with Prepware both include the figures from the FAA’s testing supplement, so you practice with the same charts you’ll get at the test center.
An online ground school teaches the subjects from the start, then tests you on them. King Schools, Sporty’s and Pilot Institute each say their private pilot course gives you the endorsement you need to book the test once you’ve finished it, and each offers a guarantee in its own terms.
Sheppard Air sells question courses for the instrument, commercial, instructor and airline transport pilot (ATP) tests, but not for private pilot.
Getting your endorsement from a home-study course
The FAA’s advisory circular AC 61‑65K lists the ways to show you’ve done the ground training. One is a graduation certificate from an industry home-study course: the course must match your test, include a comprehensive test the provider scores, and the certificate must be signed by one of the provider’s certificated flight instructors (CFIs). Another is to take your own home-study notes to a flight or ground instructor, who questions you and then endorses you.
Whichever way you go, check what your course gives you before you pay. The FAA’s testing matrix lists the forms of authorization PSI’s proctors accept for each test.
A study path for the private pilot test
- Read the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for the Private Pilot Airplane test. The FAA encourages applicants and instructors to use it when preparing, and it lists every knowledge element the test can ask about.
- Learn each area from the FAA handbooks, a ground school or a book.
- Practice with the testing supplement open, because the test center gives you the same booklet.
- Try PSI’s sample test to get used to the screen and the question style.
- Drill a question bank until you pass its practice tests, then get your endorsement and book. The passing score on the real test is 70.
Sources: PSI · FAA · Gleim and 5 more. Checked October 2026.
- PSI: Private Pilot Airplane Applicant Information Bulletin (PDF) ↗
- FAA: Airman Testing FAQs, updated 6/1/26 (PDF) ↗
- FAA: Airman Testing Community Advisory, September 2026 (PDF) ↗
- FAA: AC 61-65K, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors (PDF) ↗
- FAA: Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS, FAA-S-ACS-6C (PDF) ↗
- Gleim: FAA Test Prep Online, Private Pilot ↗
- ASA: 2027-2028 Private Pilot Test Prep with Prepware ↗
- Sheppard Air: Private Pilot Study ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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