The Part 107 test is where a lot of very good drone pilots meet sectional charts for the first time and discover that "Class E airspace beginning at 700 feet AGL" is a real sentence. Stick skill won't help you here. The FAA's knowledge test checks whether you can read a chart, decode a weather report and apply the rules. That's fair, because those are the things that keep paying customers, and manned aircraft, safe.
The good news: the test is learnable, the question pool follows a published standard, and the format is predictable. This guide covers what's on the exam as of September 2026, the numbers you must memorize, what it costs, and the study plan we give students in our Part 107 ground school.
The Short Answer
The Part 107 knowledge test (UAG) is 60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, and you need 70% to pass.
- Topics: regulations, airspace and charts, weather, loading and performance, and operations, as laid out in the FAA's Remote Pilot Airman Certification Standards.
- Cost: the test is widely reported at $175 per attempt at an FAA-approved testing center. Recurrent training every 24 calendar months is free online.
- Eligibility: 14 to take the test, 16 to hold the certificate, plus English proficiency and a TSA background check.
- How to pass: learn the ACS topics, drill sectional charts and METAR/TAF decoding, and take full-length practice tests until you score in the mid-80s consistently.
1. What's on the Part 107 Test
The FAA tells you exactly what it can ask. The trick is knowing where to look and which areas carry the most questions.
The format
According to the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, the Unmanned Aircraft General (UAG) test has 60 questions, a 2-hour time limit and a 70% passing score (42 correct). You need to be at least 14 to take it, and no instructor endorsement is required. If you fail, there's a 14-day wait before you can retest. Your test report lists the ACS codes for any questions you missed, so you know exactly what to review.
The five areas in the ACS
The Remote Pilot Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-10B) is the test's blueprint. It breaks the knowledge test into five areas:
- Regulations: general and operating rules, certification, waivers, operations over people and Remote ID.
- Airspace classification and operating requirements: Classes B, C, D, E and G, special use airspace, TFRs and when you need authorization.
- Weather: sources of weather (METARs and TAFs) and how weather affects performance.
- Loading and performance: weight, balance, and how density altitude affects your drone.
- Operations: radio procedures, airport operations, emergency procedures, aeronautical decision-making, physiology, and maintenance and inspection.
The figures come from a testing supplement
Chart and weather questions point to figures in the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement (FAA-CT-8080-2H), which the testing center hands you. Download the same supplement and practice with it, because the sectional excerpts in it are the ones you'll see on test day. The FAA's free Remote Pilot Study Guide and UAG sample questions are good free starting points.
How hard is it?
It's not hard if you prepare for the right things. Most of the rules questions are straightforward recall. Students lose points on sectional charts (reading airspace floors and ceilings, and identifying obstacles and airports), METAR and TAF decoding, and density altitude. Spend most of your study time there.
2. The Numbers to Memorize
A big share of the rules questions comes down to a handful of numbers from 14 CFR Part 107. Make flash cards of these.
The cheat sheet
| Rule | The number | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum altitude | 400 ft AGL, or within 400 ft of a structure and no higher than 400 ft above its top | 14 CFR 107.51 |
| Maximum groundspeed | 87 knots (100 mph) | 107.51 |
| Minimum flight visibility | 3 statute miles from the control station | 107.51 |
| Cloud clearance | 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontally | 107.51 |
| Night and civil twilight | Anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles | 107.29 |
| Accident report to the FAA | Within 10 calendar days if serious injury, loss of consciousness, or more than $500 in property damage | 107.9 |
| Aircraft weight | Less than 55 lb at takeoff | 107.3 |
| Pilot age | 16 to hold the certificate (14 to take the test) | 107.61, FAA testing matrix |
| Recurrent training | Every 24 calendar months, free online | 107.65 |
All values from 14 CFR Part 107 on eCFR, except the testing age, which comes from the FAA testing matrix.
Airspace: where students lose the most points
Know which airspace needs authorization (Class B, C, D and the surface area of Class E around an airport) and which doesn't (Class G and Class E above the surface). On the chart, learn to read the shelves: solid blue for Class B, solid magenta for Class C, dashed blue for Class D, and fading magenta or blue vignettes for where Class E starts at 700 or 1,200 feet AGL. In the real world, you'll request most authorizations through LAANC, which matters around Atlanta because much of the metro area sits under Hartsfield-Jackson's Class B.
Weather: decode it out loud
Practice reading METARs and TAFs until it's automatic. Know that "BKN" and "OVC" are ceilings, that wind is reported in degrees true and knots, and that "+TSRA" is a heavy thunderstorm with rain. For performance, remember that high, hot and humid air means higher density altitude and less lift and propeller efficiency.
3. How to Pass: A 3-Week Plan, Cost and Test Day
Most of our students are ready in two to four weeks of steady study. Here's the plan we recommend.
A 3-week study plan
- Week 1, rules and operations: read the FAA Remote Pilot Study Guide's regulation and operations chapters, then make flash cards from the numbers table above. Take one practice test to set a baseline.
- Week 2, charts and weather: work through sectional chart questions daily using the FAA-CT-8080-2H figures. Decode five METARs and two TAFs a day.
- Week 3, practice and review: take full 60-question timed practice tests. Review every miss against its ACS topic. Book the exam when you score in the mid-80s or better three times in a row.
What it costs and how to sign up
Create an IACRA profile to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN), then schedule the test at an FAA-approved testing center. The fee is widely reported at $175 per attempt (Drone U). After you pass, you apply for the certificate in IACRA using your exam ID, complete a TSA background check, and print a temporary certificate. The FAA's step-by-step page lists every step. Registering a drone for Part 107 work costs $5 per drone for three years.
Test day
Bring a government-issued photo ID and your FTN. Use the full two hours. Flag questions you're unsure of and come back to them. Read every answer choice, because the FAA likes options that are almost right. Many questions are figure-based, so take your time with the supplement.
After you pass: stay current
Your certificate doesn't expire, but your privileges do. To keep flying commercially you must complete the free online recurrent course (ALC-677) on FAASafety.gov every 24 calendar months. Carry your certificate when you fly, register your drone, and comply with Remote ID.
Conclusion
The Part 107 exam rewards preparation, not talent. Learn the five ACS areas, memorize the handful of numbers, and put most of your study time into sectional charts and weather reports. That's where people lose points. Take full-length practice tests until you pass them comfortably, then book the real one.
Want help getting there? Atlanta Hobby's Part 107 ground school is built and taught by FAA-certificated instructors, and you can try the first lessons free. After you pass, book hands-on flight training with our UAV Experts team or browse drones for commercial work.
Gear Mentioned in This Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Part 107 test?
It's manageable with two to four weeks of focused study. The rules questions are mostly recall. Most people lose points on sectional chart reading, METAR/TAF decoding and density altitude, so practice those the most.
How much does Part 107 cost?
The knowledge test is widely reported at $175 per attempt at an FAA-approved testing center. The certificate application, TSA check and recurrent training are free, and drone registration is $5 per drone for three years. A ground school or study course is optional but helps.
How many questions are on the Part 107 test and what is the passing score?
The UAG knowledge test has 60 multiple-choice questions, a 2-hour time limit and a 70% passing score, according to the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix.
What happens if I fail the Part 107 test?
You can retest after a 14-day waiting period. Bring your failed test report to the testing center. The report lists ACS codes for the topics you missed, so you know what to study.
How old do you have to be to get Part 107?
You can take the knowledge test at 14, but you must be 16 to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Does Part 107 expire?
The certificate itself doesn't expire, but to use it you must complete free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.
