Guide
The FAA A&P General knowledge test
What it is, who takes it, how to qualify, and how it works. Every fact here is from an FAA or eCFR page linked at the bottom.
What it is
To earn an FAA mechanic certificate with an Airframe and/or Powerplant rating (the “A&P”), you must pass knowledge (written), oral, and practical tests. There are three knowledge tests: General, Airframe and Powerplant. The FAA says you must take the knowledge test(s) before you can take the oral and practical tests. [1]
Under the regulations, the written test covers the subject areas in the FAA’s Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS), and you must pass each section of the test before applying for the oral and practical tests. [2][5]
The format at a glance
| Number of questions | 60 |
|---|---|
| Time allowed | 2.0 hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Question type | Multiple choice, with a single correct answer for each question |
| Where | An FAA-approved testing center (run through PSI) |
Sources: the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix lists the AMG test at 60 questions, 2.0 hours and a passing score of 70 [3]. The regulations set the minimum passing grade for each test at 70 percent [4]. The FAA’s ACS Companion Guide says there is a single correct response for each test question [6]. The FAA’s mechanic page says knowledge tests are taken at FAA-approved testing centers through PSI [1].
What’s on it
The General test covers 12 subject areas. The FAA’s ACS Companion Guide gives the share of questions for each area: [6]
| Subject area | Share of questions |
|---|---|
| A. Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics | 5–15% |
| B. Aircraft Drawings | 5–10% |
| C. Weight and Balance | 5–10% |
| D. Fluid Lines and Fittings | 5–10% |
| E. Aircraft Materials, Hardware, and Processes | 5–10% |
| F. Ground Operations and Servicing | 5–15% |
| G. Cleaning and Corrosion Control | 5–10% |
| H. Mathematics | 5–10% |
| I. Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications | 5–10% |
| J. Physics for Aviation | 5–10% |
| K. Inspection Concepts and Techniques | 5–10% |
| L. Human Factors | 5–10% |
Who takes it
Anyone working toward an FAA mechanic certificate with an Airframe or Powerplant rating. That usually means students at an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS), people qualifying through practical work experience, and military personnel and veterans. [1][7]
How to qualify for the mechanic certificate
Under 14 CFR 65.71, to be eligible for a mechanic certificate you must: [2]
- be at least 18 years old;
- be able to read, write, speak, and understand English (with a limited exception for some applicants employed outside the US by a US air carrier);
- pass all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months.
The age requirement is for the certificate. The FAA testing matrix lists no minimum age for the AMG test itself. [3]
Under 14 CFR 65.77, you must also show either: [7]
- an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school, or
- documented practical experience: at least 18 months for one rating, or at least 30 months working on both airframes and powerplants at the same time for both ratings.
What you need to sit the test
- School students and graduates: an authenticated document from your school. You can take the General test before meeting the experience requirements if your school’s document shows you satisfactorily completed the General part of the curriculum and gives the completion date. [5][3]
- Experience applicants: an FAA Form 8610-2 signed by an FAA inspector, after a Flight Standards District Office reviews your experience. [1][3]
- Military applicants: a military Certificate of Eligibility is accepted for the tests it authorizes. [3]
- Everyone: an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), which you get by registering in IACRA. [1]
If you don’t pass
Under 14 CFR 65.19, you can retest 30 days after the date you failed. You can retest sooner if you bring a signed statement from an airman holding the certificate and rating you’re seeking, certifying that they gave you additional instruction in each subject you failed and consider you ready. [8][3] The testing matrix also says you must give the testing center your failed test report before retesting. [3]
After you pass
Your test report lists a code for each question you missed. The examiner (a Designated Mechanic Examiner) uses those codes to retest the topics you missed during the oral part of your oral and practical test. [6] See our guide to score report codes.
Keep the 24-month window in mind: all of the prescribed tests must be passed within 24 months. [2] The regulations include a separate provision for taking the practical test with an expired written test report (14 CFR 65.75(d)), so check with your FSDO or examiner if your report is getting old. [5]
Find your weak areas first
Our free 60-question practice test covers all 12 areas and shows your score in each one.
Take the free practice testSources
Checked October 31, 2026. eCFR text was current as of October 29, 2026.
- FAA, Become an Aviation Mechanic: https://www.faa.gov/mechanics/become
- 14 CFR 65.71, Eligibility requirements: General (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-65/subpart-D/section-65.71
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (revised September 25, 2026): https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/testing_matrix
- 14 CFR 65.17, Tests: General procedure (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-65/subpart-A/section-65.17
- 14 CFR 65.75, Knowledge requirements (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-65/subpart-D/section-65.75
- FAA-G-ACS-1, Companion Guide to the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant ACS (Change 2, September 2024), pp. 11–13, 20–21: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/amt_acs_companion_guide.pdf
- 14 CFR 65.77, Experience requirements (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-65/subpart-D/section-65.77
- 14 CFR 65.19, Retesting after failure (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-65/subpart-A/section-65.19