Instrument Rating Written Test Prep
The Instrument Rating (IRA) knowledge test is where the details bite — approach minimums, lost-comm, alternates, icing, holds. This is a full 60-question practice test plus flashcards built to drill exactly those areas, written from the Instrument Flying Handbook, the Instrument Procedures Handbook, the AIM, and the regs. Plain-English explanations, real references, no 'guaranteed pass' nonsense.
ACS-aligned study questions written by ATIS Alerts — not actual FAA test questions.
51 practice questions · 22 flashcards · 60-question test · 70% to pass
In the PAVE risk-management checklist, the 'V' stands for —
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Sample questions
A few examples of the ACS-aligned questions in this bank.
A standard-rate turn is a turn at —
- A. 3° per second. ✓
- B. 1° per second.
- C. 6° per second.
- D. a fixed 30° of bank.
A standard-rate turn is 3° per second, completing 360° in two minutes. The bank angle required varies with true airspeed (roughly TAS/10 + 7 degrees as a rule of thumb).
Reference: IFH ch.6
In straight-and-level, unaccelerated flight, the primary pitch instrument is the —
- A. altimeter. ✓
- B. attitude indicator.
- C. airspeed indicator.
- D. vertical speed indicator.
In the primary/supporting concept, the instrument that most directly shows the desired result is 'primary.' For a constant altitude, that is the altimeter for pitch. The attitude indicator is the control instrument.
Reference: IFH ch.6
Compared with a VOR, a localizer is —
- A. more sensitive, with a narrower full-scale course width. ✓
- B. less sensitive, with a wider course width.
- C. identical in sensitivity to a VOR.
- D. usable only when flying outbound.
A localizer's full-scale deflection is about ±2.5° (course width tailored to ~700 ft at the threshold), far more sensitive than a VOR's ±10°. Small deflections require prompt, small corrections on final.
Reference: IPH
About the Instrument Rating written test
The Instrument Rating Airplane knowledge test (IRA) is 60 multiple-choice questions with a 2.5-hour limit, administered by PSI at approved testing centers. You need 70% to pass, and the questions are drawn from the FAA Airman Certification Standards. Bring a valid photo ID and your instructor’s endorsement (or an approved equivalent), and plan to keep your test report — you’ll review any missed areas with your instructor before the practical test.
From study to the real sky
The instrument written leans hard on weather. See it live, then let ATIS Alerts watch it for you:
Practice weather knowledge, then watch it live
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Instrument Rating test prep FAQ
How many questions are on the instrument rating written test?
60 questions, with a 2.5-hour time limit.
What's a passing score on the IRA knowledge test?
70%, or 42 of 60 correct.
What's the FAA code for the instrument airplane test?
IRA.
Are these real FAA instrument test questions?
No — they're original, ACS-aligned practice questions written to cover the same knowledge areas.
What subjects does the instrument written test cover?
IFR regulations and the IFR system, IFR weather and weather products, departures/en route/holds, instrument approaches and chart interpretation, navigation systems, aircraft instruments, and IFR risk management.
Should I take instrument ground school first?
Yes — learn it from a course and the FAA handbooks, then use these practice tests to pressure-test what stuck.
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