The EASA PPL theory exams explained

The nine subjects, the pass mark, how many attempts you get and how long your passes stay valid.

The short answer

There are nine subjects. You need 75 percent in each. All exams must be completed within 18 months of the end of the month you first sat one, and once passed they are valid for 24 months for getting your licence.

The nine subjects

• Air law
• Human performance
• Meteorology
• Communications
• Principles of flight
• Operational procedures
• Flight performance and planning
• Aircraft general knowledge
• Navigation

Attempts

You have at most four attempts per subject and six sittings in total. If you run out, you start the whole set again after further training. Your authority may split exams into sittings differently, so check how your country runs them.

How to prepare

Most students use a question bank alongside the ground course. Air law and navigation usually need the most time, meteorology the most understanding. Book the exams once you score well in timed practice papers, not just after reading the book.