Understanding Your Test Results and the Airman Certification Standards
Right after you finish the Knowledge Test (Lesson E), you receive an Airman Knowledge Test Report ? but reading it correctly takes a little context, since the FAA deliberately doesn't show you exactly which questions you missed. This lesson explains what the report does show, how the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) coding system works, and how to use that information whether you passed or need to prepare for a retest.
What the Airman Knowledge Test Report actually shows
Your report shows your overall numeric score, a clear pass or fail determination against the 70% passing grade, and ? critically for anyone who did not score perfectly ? a list of codes identifying the general subject areas where you missed one or more questions. To protect the security and integrity of the live question pool (the same reason the FAA doesn't publish the real question bank at all, discussed in FAA-SOURCE-MATERIALS), the report does NOT show you which specific questions you got wrong or what the correct answer was. It shows you the subject area, not the question.
What the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) actually is
The ACS is the FAA's official document defining exactly what is tested on the Part 107 Knowledge Test ? the master blueprint this entire course is organized around. It divides the tested material into five Areas of Operation (Roman numerals I through V), each broken into specific Tasks (letters), and each Task lists specific Knowledge and Risk Management elements that can be tested.
- Area of Operation I ? Regulations: Tasks A through F, covering General, Operating Rules, Certification, Waivers, Operations Over People, and Remote ID.
- Area of Operation II ? Airspace Classification and Operating Requirements: Tasks A and B.
- Area of Operation III ? Weather: Tasks A and B.
- Area of Operation IV ? Loading and Performance: Task A.
- Area of Operation V ? Operations: Tasks A through F, covering Radio Communications, Airport Operations, Emergency Procedures, Aeronautical Decision-Making, Physiology, and Maintenance/Inspection.
Every lesson in this course is tagged with the specific ACS Task code it supports (visible near the top of each lesson page), precisely so you can cross-reference a missed code on your report back to the exact lesson that covers it.
How ACS codes on your report map back to study material
A code on your report generally identifies an Area of Operation and Task ? for example, a code referencing Area I, Task B tells you the missed question related to General Operating Rules (covered in Module 2), while a code referencing Area III, Task B tells you it related to Effects of Weather on Performance (covered in Module 5). If your report lists multiple codes across different Areas, that's a signal to revisit those specific modules rather than re-reading the entire course from the start.
You do not need a perfect score to pass ? but the goal is real competence
Because the passing grade is 70%, not 100%, it is entirely possible to pass the Knowledge Test with one or more ACS codes listed on your report ? those codes simply mean you missed at least one question in that area, not that you failed overall. The certificate is issued based on your overall passing score, regardless of which specific areas any missed questions came from.
That said, treat any listed code as a genuine gap worth closing before you fly, not just a box to check for certification purposes. The ACS exists to define real operational competence a remote pilot needs in the field ? a missed code in, say, Emergency Procedures (Area V, Task C) reflects a real skill you may need during an actual flight, not just a trivia point.
Real-world scenario: passing with room to improve
Ben takes the Knowledge Test and passes with a score of 82%. His report lists one ACS code corresponding to Area III, Task B (Effects of Weather on Performance). Because 82% clears the 70% passing threshold, Ben's test result is a pass, and he can move on to Lesson G to apply for his certificate. Rather than ignoring the flagged area, Ben goes back and re-reads Module 5's density altitude and wind-effects lessons before his first real commercial flight, since that's exactly the kind of practical judgment that keeps operations safe even after the paperwork is done.
A sample (illustrative, not an actual FAA/PSI report) Airman Knowledge Test Report layout.
View Larger| Area | Title | Tasks | Course modules |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Regulations | A-F: General, Operating Rules, Certification, Waivers, Ops Over People, Remote ID | Modules 1, 2, 12, 13 |
| II | Airspace Classification and Operating Requirements | A-B: Classification, Operational Requirements | Modules 3, 4 |
| III | Weather | A-B: Sources of Weather, Effects on Performance | Module 5 |
| IV | Loading and Performance | A: Loading and Performance | Module 6 |
| V | Operations | A-F: Radio Comms, Airport Ops, Emergency Procedures, ADM, Physiology, Maintenance | Modules 7-11, 14 |
Reading your Airman Knowledge Test Report
Do this immediately after testing, while the experience is fresh.
Check your overall score and pass/fail status first
Confirm whether your score meets the 70% passing grade. This single number determines whether you move on to Lesson G or need to prepare for a retest under Lesson E's 14-day rule.
Locate the list of ACS codes for missed questions
These appear as a short list of alphanumeric codes referencing ACS Areas of Operation and Tasks, not specific question text.
Cross-reference each code to a course module
Use the ACS Areas of Operation reference table above to identify which module(s) cover each flagged Task.
Decide your next step based on pass/fail
If you passed, proceed to Lesson G to apply for your certificate, and treat the flagged codes as a personal study list for real operational competence. If you did not pass, use the mandatory 14-calendar-day wait to focus your remaining study specifically on the flagged Areas before retesting.
| Mistake | Why it happens | Correct understanding | Regulation / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| "My report will show me exactly which questions I got wrong." | Assuming test reports work like a graded school exam | The report shows ACS subject-area codes only, not specific questions or answer choices, to protect test security. | FAA test reporting policy |
| "I need a perfect score to get my certificate." | Overestimating the passing standard | The passing grade is 70%; missed-question codes can appear on a passing report. | 14 CFR 107.67(c) |
| "A missed ACS code means I automatically failed." | Confusing per-area feedback with the overall pass/fail determination | Pass/fail is based on the overall score; missed codes only flag areas for further study. | 14 CFR 107.67(c) |
Will my test report tell me exactly which questions I missed?
No. It shows ACS codes identifying general subject areas, not the specific questions or your incorrect answers. This is intentional, to protect the security of the live question pool.
Can I still pass with some ACS codes listed on my report?
Yes. Pass/fail is determined by your overall score against the 70% passing grade. Listed codes simply flag areas where you missed at least one question ? they do not by themselves cause a failing result.
Do I need to do anything with the flagged ACS codes if I already passed?
There is no FAA requirement to act on them once you've passed, but reviewing the flagged areas is strongly recommended ? they represent real operational knowledge you may need in the field, not just test material.
Test Your Knowledge
Answer the questions below to check your understanding. Every answer can be found in the lesson above.