Should Knowledge Tests Before the Check Ride Go Away?

In the current landscape, should learners still have to check this box?

Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 11:29 AM ET

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Many major colleges have ditched standardized tests. Should the aviation industry do the same? [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The article argues that the FAA knowledge exam is a flawed and outdated system, akin to college SAT/ACTs, which should be eliminated or significantly reformed due to its ineffectiveness in truly assessing pilot knowledge.
The current system fosters a costly test-preparation industry where pilots are incentivized to memorize answers rather than understand fundamental concepts, adding financial burden and complexity to the certification process.
Statistical data shows high pass rates for knowledge tests but lower initial check-ride success, questioning the tests' predictive value and suggesting they do not accurately measure a pilot's readiness or competency.
The author advocates for the aviation industry to rethink its approach to standardized knowledge tests, drawing inspiration from higher education, to develop more effective and inclusive methods for assessing pilot qualifications.

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In December, Harvard joined many other universities to eliminate ACT and SAT requirements—the standardized tests that these institutions have acknowledged won’t tell the full story about applicants. Is it time for the aviation industry to follow?

The trend of colleges abandoning SAT admission protocols—while mostly for social reasons to encourage equity amongst applicants—illustrates that sometimes when we look at things with fresh eyes, we realize there are multiple ways to solve a problem.