Knowledge Tests Include Preparation of the Applicant, Location

An instructor reminds us to respect the testing process while pointing out its limitations.

Tuesday, December 06, 2022 at 11:21 AM ET

Verified

When you take your knowledge exam, you should know how to use a mechanical E6-B because some testing centers will not allow an electronic one. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Effective January 1, 2023, the payment to FBOs for administering FAA pilot knowledge tests will significantly drop from $65 to $22, likely causing many FBOs to cease offering the service and making test centers harder to find.
PSI Services, Inc. holds a sole monopoly on administering these $175 computer-based FAA knowledge tests, often conducted in small, third-party facilities at FBOs and flight schools.
Aspiring pilots must obtain an instructor endorsement to take the test, often by achieving high scores on practice exams, and should use the test report to identify and address knowledge deficiencies for their practical checkride.

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It’s true: $175 is a lot of money to pay for a two hour, 60-question test. Just ask anyone who has taken the private pilot airplane knowledge exam recently at a flight school or FBO.

In reality, the tests are offered by PSI Services, Inc. The FBOs that provide testing are contractors, offering the tests as a convenience to their customers. The FBOs are currently paid $65 for each test, but as of January 1, 2023, payment to the FBOs will drop to $22 per test—and that is making some FBOs reconsider offering the service.