Step by step: from training to a passed exam
1. Theory training at a training organisation
You are only admitted to the exam with a recommendation from your training organisation (ATO/DTO or flight school). It confirms that the theoretical training is complete and that you have sufficient knowledge. The recommendation is valid for 12 months.
2. Registration with the competent authority
You take the exam at the authority that also issues your licence. In Germany these are the state aviation authorities (e.g. regional councils or aviation authorities of the federal states), in Austria it is Austro Control. Registration is usually done with an application form that your flight school confirms with the recommendation. Allow enough lead time for scheduling. The fees are set by the respective authority.
3. Exam language
In Germany and Austria you can take the exam in German or English. A pure translation dictionary is allowed.
4. Exam day
- Bring: ID, ballpoint pen, pencil, eraser. The authority provides note paper.
- Permitted aids: non-programmable calculator (without alphanumeric or aviation-specific functions), mechanical navigation computer (e.g. Aristo, Jeppesen, Navimat), protractor or plotter, (pricking) compass, ruler and writing materials.
- Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off or in flight mode.
- You must hand in all documents again at the end, including written-on paper. Exam questions are confidential, taking notes of them is forbidden.
- If you do not feel fit on exam day, say so before the exam.
5. Result
The results are announced directly after the exam and are also sent to your training organisation.
Cheating: the consequences
Anyone caught cheating is excluded from the rest of the exam. All subjects taken that day count as failed, and you are excluded from further exams for at least 12 months. Cheating includes unauthorised aids, communication with other candidates or taking notes out of the exam room.
How do you prepare best?
The published ECQB-PPL questions match the real exam questions in topics and type of task. Unpublished questions sometimes contain different wording or aspects of a topic, but do not cover unknown topic areas. Memorising alone is therefore not enough, you should understand the fundamentals.
- Work through the complete question bank subject by subject and repeat weak topics.
- Practise calculations (navigation, flight performance) with the aids that are also allowed on exam day.
- Simulate the exam under time pressure so you can judge the time limits per subject.
- Use the explanations of the questions to understand why an answer is correct.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions does the EASA PPL theory exam have?
Depending on the authority, about 120 to 132 questions in nine subjects. In the example of the northern German authorities above, it is 132 questions in 284 minutes.
What percentage do I need to pass?
At least 75 % in each subject.
Do I have to take all subjects on one day?
No. You have 18 months to pass all subjects. The order is freely selectable.
How often can I retake a subject?
Up to four attempts per subject. After that, or after the 18 months have expired, the entire exam must be repeated after further training.
How long is the passed theory valid?
24 months from the date of passing, to obtain a licence on that basis.
Are there penalty points for wrong answers?
No, there are no penalty points. Exactly one answer per question is correct.
Note: The information is based on public information from aviation authorities and the EASA regulation Part-FCL and may change or differ depending on the authority. The current information from your competent authority and your training organisation is binding.
Further pages
PPL question bank :
Training methods on pilots.school
