How to read your Airman Knowledge Test Report — and turn the ACS codes into a study plan

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After an FAA airman knowledge test you receive an Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). Next to your score it lists an ACS code for each area you answered incorrectly. This page explains what those codes mean, where to find them in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), and how to study them before your practical test.

What the report shows

• The codes. “The Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) lists ACS codes that correlate to a specific Task element for a given Area of Operation for any incorrect responses on the knowledge test.” (FAA-S-ACS-6C, Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS, Appendix 1, PDF page 74)
• What else is on it. “At the conclusion of a knowledge test, an applicant is given their Knowledge Test Report (KTR). The KTR lists the applicant's name, date of the test, the type of test, a unique test identification number, the score and ACS Codes for questions that were answered incorrectly. The printed ACS Codes guides the applicant to the area(s) that were found to be deficient in the test.” (FAA-S-ACS-10B, Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems ACS, PDF page 7)

How to read an ACS code

Worked example PA.I.C.K2 (FAA-S-ACS-6C, Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS, Appendix 1, PDF page 74):

• PA — Applicable ACS (Private Pilot Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-6C))
• I — Area of Operation (Area I, Preflight Preparation)
• C — Task (Task C, Weather Information)
• K2 — Task element (in this example, Knowledge 2) (K = knowledge, R = risk management, S = skill)

• PA: Private Pilot Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-6C) — PAR — 60 questions, 2.5 hours, passing score 70
• PH: Private Pilot Helicopter (FAA-S-ACS-15) — PRH — 60 questions, 2.5 hours, passing score 70
• CA: Commercial Pilot Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-7B) — CAX — 100 questions, 3.0 hours, passing score 70
• CH: Commercial Pilot Helicopter (FAA-S-ACS-16) — CRH — 100 questions, 3.0 hours, passing score 70
• UA: Remote Pilot, small UAS (Part 107) (FAA-S-ACS-10B) — UAG — 60 questions, up to two hours

Why the codes matter at the practical test

• The evaluator tests them. “The required minimum elements to be tested from each applicable Task include: any elements in which the applicant was shown to be deficient on the knowledge test, as applicable; at least one knowledge element; at least one risk management element; and all skill elements unless otherwise noted.” (FAA-S-ACS-6C, Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS, Appendix 1, PDF page 74)
• Bring the report. “to be eligible for a practical test for a certificate or rating issued under this part, an applicant must: (1) Pass the required knowledge test: (i) Within the 24-calendar-month period preceding the month the applicant completes the practical test, if a knowledge test is required; … (2) Present the knowledge test report at the time of application for the practical test, if a knowledge test is required” (14 CFR 61.39(a)(1)–(2) (eCFR))

Turn the codes into a study plan

1. Find each code in the ACS. The two letters name the ACS, the Roman numeral the Area of Operation, the letter the Task and the last part the element. Open that ACS at the Task and read the element in full, including its References line.
2. Study the Task, not just the question you missed. A code shows which element a missed question tested, not the question itself. The evaluator can ask about anything the element covers, so review the whole element and the handbook chapters its Task references.
3. Practice until the element holds. Answer practice questions on the same Task, then come back a few days later. Take the report and your notes to your instructor before the checkride.

FAA practice tests that show exactly what to study next, mapped to the ACS.

• Paste the ACS codes from your report — or the whole report. Only the codes are read; your name, applicant ID, exam ID, dates and score are skipped and never saved.
• Each code is looked up in the ACS for its certificate and shown with the element, word for word, and its page. A code the ACS does not contain is reported, never swapped for a nearby one.
• Each code gets practice questions on its Task — questions that cite the exact element first — and a 10-question drill.

If you did not pass

• Private and Commercial Pilot. “An applicant for a knowledge or practical test who fails that test may reapply for the test only after the applicant has received: (1) The necessary training from an authorized instructor who has determined that the applicant is proficient to pass the test; and (2) An endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave the applicant the additional training.” (14 CFR 61.49(a) (eCFR))
• Remote Pilot (Part 107). “14 CFR part 107, section 107.71 specifies that an applicant who fails the knowledge test may not retake that knowledge test for 14 calendar days from the date of the previous failure. An applicant retesting after failure is required to submit the applicable AKTR indicating failure to the airman knowledge testing center prior to retesting. No instructor endorsement or other form of written authorization is required to retest after failure.” (FAA-S-ACS-10B, Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems ACS, Appendix 1, PDF page 28)

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