Changes to FAA written test

In the last couple of weeks I've had several students taking FAA written exams ranging from ATP, FOI and Instrument. The one consistent feedback I am receiving is that the students did not recognize any of the questions in the test bank from the materials they studied.

I knew the FAA was considering revising test questions - just wondering if it's already taken place? Have any other CFI's received similar feedback from their students?

Thanks Guys/Gals!

Did not recognize any of the questions? That's strange. I've had 2 students take their pvt writtens in the last 2 weeks and they both did well. They used Gleim test prep.

Just had 2 students pass their private written this last week, one with a 100%, the other 98% and both stated they had no surprises using the KING DVD which is many years old.

I took the FOI and CFI writtens two months ago and used the gleim test prep software for both exams. Tell your students to just study from the aviation instructors handbook for the FOI written. The FAA has changed the FOI test bank to match the newest aviation instructors handbook revision. The gleim FOI test prep material has not been updated and is using material from the old aviation instructors handbook!! The two things I can still remember from the test that have changed are using the new form of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and they now have ADM questions in the FOI test bank. The CFI written test bank has not changed and the gleim test prep is still up to date.

So, even the 2011 Gleim FOI test prep is still out of date? I took my CFII written a couple of weeks ago and every question I had, came out of the newest Gleim test prep.

Ryan

Yes even the 2011 FOI gleim test prep software is still out of date. When I bought the test prep software it was right before gleim changed over to 2011and received the 2010 test prep book and software. Luckily I had also been studying from the aviation instructors handbook and was able to recognize that the FAA had changed the test bank questions to the material in the new aviation instructors handbook and passed. The moment I finished the exam I went to the pilot shop to check the 2011 FOI gleim. The new test bank includes questions on ADM and gleim has put that into the 2011 FOI revision. However, things such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which the FAA changed with the new aviation instructors handbook have not been updated in the 2011 gleim. Also, I don't believe they have updated defense mechanisms to the updated version either. That is all I can remember off the top of my head right now.

I took the FOI, FIA, CAX, FII, and IGI in the last 2 months (yeah..) but the FOI and the FIA were different than the materials I used. I specifically remember because the FOI had used different terminology in the questions, most were still the same but that was where I noticed the difference.... because the bank is just under 200...so it was odd when there was slight changes in the questions. I was scoring 98+ on the practice and dropped to 84 on the test.

I got 85s on both - studied both the source materials (various CFRs, ACs, PHAK and Aviation Instructor's Handbook) and used Dauntless Software to drill questions. Got 85/86 on FIA/FOI respectively. Your mileage may vary.

I am TOLD that they are going to change the question banks soon.

For what it's worth, excluding the "dirty tricks" questions, if you know the material very well, you're pretty likely to pass the written.

Glad I saw this thread. I plan on taking the FOI this week. How different is the new test? I downloaded an update for the Gleim software and recalled seeing some ADM questions today so maybe its up to date?

For the FIA, were the Dauntless questions a reasonable facsimilie of the actual questions? Noticing that their software still does "update" the question bank on occasion.

Hmmm...well I've read the AIH twice so far, but I can't say that I still fully understand the material. I am taking both the FIA and the FOI exams next Tuesday, so I'll just have to trust my retention, the Kings, and the Gleims!

Direct from AOPA...

FAA to revamp knowledge tests
By AOPA ePublishing staff

The questions on FAA knowledge tests and the way they are taken could change over the next couple of years.

In an industry meeting June 15 and 16 to review changes that have been and will be made to knowledge tests and practical test standards this year, the FAA said that it plans to expand its test-question bank from the current 15,000 to 20,000 questions, to more than 100,000 questions. Another goal is to make the written exams Internet based. The tests would continue to be taken in approved testing centers, but they would be served online instead of the hard drives of the testing center computers.

Both moves are expected to take at least a couple of years, the FAA told about 30 industry representatives, including AOPA, King Schools, Jeppesen, Gleim, the National Association of Flight Instructors, and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

The groups met to review what changes to the written and practical test standards the FAA has already made and what is upcoming. This allows representatives the opportunity to point out any problems that some of the changes may cause. Regarding the knowledge tests, the FAA’s announcement of changes were general, and none of the actual test questions or answers were released to the group.

A change that will be incorporated into all knowledge tests is a general question about glass cockpits. The FAA will develop a bank of questions, so that one will appear on every knowledge test given. The questions are not specific to any particular type of glass cockpit. The FAA decided to add the question based on NTSB recommendations that it do more to enhance pilot training and knowledge requirements for glass cockpit aircraft.

In other cases, the FAA is working to bring the tests up to date. For example, questions about microwave landing systems have been eliminated from the instrument knowledge test. Questions on the Part 135 and Part 121 air transport pilot knowledge tests will change from a focus on turboprops to light jets in order to better represent the knowledge required to fly these aircraft that are used more frequently.

Tests and practical test standards that already have been updated include the ATP, aircraft dispatcher, parachute rigger, and flight navigator knowledge test guides, and the instrument, flight instructor, and flight instructor-airplane PTS.June 23, 2010

If you used all those to prep for the writtens then you should be good to go. Also, another question that I was asked that was not in the test bank was types of practice which is in the AIH page 2-22.

Awesome...thanks for the heads up. I'll let everyone know the conclusion to all of this next week.

Ryan

Also, while we are discussing writtens make sure you check the expiration date on your exam. When I took my FIA there was a computer glitch and it made my test valid for only 2 calendar months instead of 24. It took laser grade over a week to fix the problem and then FedEx me a new copy since they had to fix it from where ever they are headquartered out of.

Just had a student take the Instrument written test. She said everything was up to par, according to the 2011 Gleim IFR test prep. Same goes for the Private Written.

Yo Base2final, You sound like an experienced C172 Captain???

This just in...earned a 92% on my FIA exam. Out of the 100 questions on the test I counted 6-7 that were not in the 2011 Gleim test prep. I managed to get them right though!

Plus, I think they should up the ante to a minimum score of 75% as well ......

God yes