Going Direct: “Cheating” on the Writtens

Isabel Goyer

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:48 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's updated knowledge tests are criticized for incorporating numerous new, irrelevant questions that lead to high failure rates, reflecting flawed test design rather than a lack of essential pilot knowledge.
The author argues that memorizing answers to the FAA's often pointless test questions is not "cheating," as these questions frequently test non-essential information designed only to increase test difficulty.
Model aviation and flight simulation programs have historically and currently played a crucial role in fostering interest in flying, especially for individuals without access to real aircraft.
The article advocates for promoting all forms of aviation engagement, from models to simulators, to inspire young people and ensure the future health of the aviation industry.

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(June 2011) I recently asked FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt about the tough time that applicants have been having on FAA Knowledge Testing (the tests that many of us still refer to as the “writtens”). Many test takers are failing the tests because the FAA has included a lot of new, previously unpublished questions that are hard to get right even if you do know your stuff. The FAA thought it would see this as proof that test takers had been gaming the system and found out instead that, if it wants to, it can get people to fail the written.

Babbitt’s response to my question on the subject was essentially that test takers need to study harder. This was a disappointing response and betrayed a misunderstanding of two things: how bad most of the FAA written tests are and how the flying public at large views the tests.