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Flying Lesson 27
| Following my last lesson I made an appointment at the airport for my Lasergrade test. The Lasergrade test is the computerized version of the FAA knowledge test. It used to be called the written test but I guess that is a thing of the past. A score of 70% or better is required to move on toward a checkride and a private certificate. The test consists of 60 questions in a multiple choice format. When I began my lessons I purchased an ASA student pilot kit. It contained a test prep book roughly the size of a small phonebook. I read this book from cover to cover and some chapters twice. There are sample questions throughout these chapters pertaining to the chapter specific subject matter. These questions did show up on my test, although they may not have been word-for-word, they were strikingly familiar. The test proctor helps you get started. There is an introduction on the screen that steps you through the different buttons and functions of each. You can tag a question and go back later. It is very simple to use.
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Knowledge Test Prep Manuals and Figures |
The font size of the questions was large an easy to read. The corresponding figure for any question, if it had one, would appear on the screen alongside the question. I was also given a supplement which contained all the figures needed for the test. I preferred to use the hard copy supplement versus the on-screen images because I could actually hold it in my hand or focus on it as it lay on the table. These figures and the supplement were identical to the supplement manual supplied with my student pilot kit. Therefore all the figures were very familiar. As a matter of fact, I had been studying so much lately, I almost knew exactly where to look in the supplement to find each figure. It is my understanding the computer generates a random test from the bank of questions across the entire scope of subject matter. That makes perfect sense and that is what I was expecting.
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This is exactly what I was tested on: approximately ten weather questions, approximately ten navigation questions including vor's, adf's, and time enroute (which required some calculating), a couple of load and cg calculations, and I guess the rest were general aeronautical questions about rules and regulations. I will say this much though, I highly recommend Sporty's Study Buddy premium version because many of the questions on the test were not from the book. Although reading the test prep book would probably be enough to get by, the Study Buddy made this much easier that I expected it would be. They had the entire bank of questions available for practice.There are a few modes including flashcard mode, learning mode and testing mode. The premium version cost $9.95 and was worth every penny. I also explored a few other FAA question and answer sites for practice but this was the best of the bunch.
I walked away from the test with a 97% score well above the 70% required for a passing grade. In hindsight, the two questions I answered incorrectly were silly mistakes and I could have walked away with a 100%. However, my instructor said this type of score will make my checkride go a little easier, which is music to my ears. Next on the agenda is checkride preperation, I believe three hours are required.
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