Is the Part 107 Test Hard?
The Part 107 test is moderately difficult, not deceptively hard. 60 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes, 70 percent to pass. Most candidates pass on the first try with 2 to 3 weeks of study. Here is what makes it hard, what does not, and how to know if you are ready.
The Part 107 test is moderately difficult, not deceptively hard. 60 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes, 70 percent to pass.
Most candidates with no aviation background pass on the first try after 2 to 3 weeks of structured study at 1 to 2 hours per day.
What makes the Part 107 test challenging?
Three things make Part 107 harder than the typical reader expects:
- Sectional chart reading. About 20 to 25 percent of the test references sectional charts. If you have never read one, this is the longest learning curve.
- METAR and TAF decoding. Weather reports are written in coded shorthand. Decoding is a skill that needs about 4 to 6 hours of focused practice.
- Precise numeric facts. The test rewards precision over general understanding. "About 400 feet" instead of "exactly 400 feet AGL" fails a question.
What makes the Part 107 test easier than expected?
Three things make Part 107 easier than candidates fear:
- Only 3 answer choices per question (A, B, C). Many comparable tests use 4 or 5 choices.
- Open-book style of preparation. Every fact on the test is in the FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22), which is free.
- No practical flight test required. Part 107 is an aeronautical knowledge test only. You never have to fly a drone in front of an examiner.
How does Part 107 compare to other FAA tests?
| Certification | Test format | Difficulty for new candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Part 107 (Remote Pilot) | 60 questions, 120 min, 70% to pass | Moderate |
| Private Pilot (manned) | 60 questions, 150 min, 70% to pass | Similar difficulty, more material |
| Instrument Rating (manned) | 60 questions, 150 min, 70% to pass | Considerably harder |
| Commercial Pilot (manned) | 100 questions, 180 min, 70% to pass | Considerably harder |
| TRUST (recreational drone) | 23 questions, open-book, unlimited retries | Easy by comparison |
Part 107 sits at the lower end of FAA pilot knowledge tests by difficulty. It is harder than TRUST (the recreational drone test), easier than the Instrument Rating, and roughly comparable to the Private Pilot written.
How long does it actually take to pass?
Most candidates need 2 to 3 weeks of focused study, at 1 to 2 hours per day, for roughly 15 to 40 hours total.
Candidates with aviation background can pass in days. Manned-aircraft pilots, ATC personnel, military aviation, and meteorologists often pass after a few days of review since most of the underlying material is familiar.
Candidates with zero aviation background should plan for 3 weeks. Sectional chart reading and airspace classification are the slowest topics to internalize without prior exposure.
How do I know if I am ready?
You are ready when your last three mixed-domain practice tests all scored 85 percent or better. That gives you a 15-point cushion above the 70 percent passing threshold.
Aim for 85 percent, not 70 percent, on every practice test. Studying for exactly 70 percent leaves no margin for the questions that will surprise you on the day.
- You can read a METAR and TAF without looking up the abbreviations.
- You can identify every airspace class on a sectional chart by color and line style.
- You can recite the top 10 Part 107 numeric facts from memory (400 ft AGL, 100 mph, 3 SM visibility, 10 calendar days, 24 calendar months).
- You can name the difference between Category 1, 2, 3, and 4 operations over people.
- Three practice tests in a row at 85 percent or higher.
What if I fail the first time?
The 14-day waiting period before a retake is the legal minimum, not the recommendation. People who fail by a small margin (65 to 69 percent) usually do better with two to three more weeks of focused drilling on their weak ACS codes.
People who fail by a wide margin almost always do better restarting with a structured course rather than re-taking immediately. The retake fee is $175 either way; spending two extra weeks reading and drilling costs nothing.
Content here is derived from 14 CFR Part 107, the FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22), and the FAA Airman Certification Standards. It is for educational purposes. Verify current requirements with the FAA before testing.
Practice with real FAA style questions and get detailed explanations for every answer.