How to Use Prepware Online for Students

Prepware Online has three main sections:

Study

The Study section includes succinct reading material by subject for your certificate or rating. Mark subjects complete to track your progress. Come back to the study guides anytime if your quiz results show you need a refresher on a certain subject.

(Note: ASA product PWO-TESTS Practice Tests does not include the Study module.)

Quiz

Quizzes are a powerful tool with rich features, and an important part of your learning process in Prepware.

(Note: ASA product PWO-TESTS Practice Tests does not include the Quiz module.)

Quick Quiz

Choose the certificate or rating you are working on, then choose the specific FAA test you are studying for. You will see settings and a list of subjects.

If you select “Based on FAA requirements,” the number of questions will be automatically filled in for each subject.

If you select “Choose my own,” you can click into the “Questions Added” field and type a specific number of questions for the subjects and/or topics you’d like to include. You may choose only one topic per subject, but you do not have to include questions from every topic or subject. You can click the “Add all” to include all available questions from all listed subjects. If you would like to reset the Questions Added column, click “Remove all.”

Additionally, you will set the difficulty level for your quiz.

Click the Start button in the lower right to begin your quiz.

Custom Quiz

The Custom Quiz Maker tool in Prepware allows you to create a custom quiz to further fine-tune your study beyond the subject/topic breakdown available in the Quick Quiz. A Custom Quiz will be saved in your account and can be retaken any time.

Your quiz can include questions from the ASA database and your own custom questions. The Custom Quiz Maker will step you through the process. You can search the ASA database of questions by subject, keyword, or ACS code. Add desired questions to your custom quiz, preview them, choose your settings and difficulty level, and save.

Taking Your Quiz

The left side of the quiz window shows how many questions are in your quiz, and how many you have answered, not yet answered, or marked to come back to later.

The right side of the window displays the question, answer choices, and explanations. There are also several buttons and tools in the upper right.

Select your answer choice (A, B, or C). When you have answered all questions, click the “Finish and grade” button to submit for grading.

Viewing Your Quiz Results

After you submit your quiz for grading, you will immediately see your results. The top of the results screen displays your overall score as a percent as well as how many questions you answered correctly. Below you will see all the question details from your quiz. The correct answer will be marked with a green checkmark and incorrect guesses are marked with a red X. If you did not answer a question at all, the correct answer shows a gray checkmark.

You can save the questions you got wrong as a custom quiz so you can test yourself again later. Use the “Save missed questions” button in the upper right.

You can also view your quiz results in a performance chart format. The chart shows your performance by subject, so you can determine which subjects you need to study further. The goal is to achieve 80% or higher on all subjects.

Test

The test module is a timed full-length practice test. The total number of questions, time allowed, and subject composition is representative of the FAA Knowledge Test for your certificate or rating.

The test functionality is the same as the quiz. If you get stuck on a question, mark it and come back to it later so you can use your time efficiently. You must complete the test in the allotted time. You will be given a 5-minute and 1-minute warning. Before time runs out, be sure you have answered every question. There is no penalty for guessing, but a question left blank will be scored as incorrect.

The FAA Knowledge Tests are closed-book exams. For your Prepware score to accurately represent your knowledge, you should not reference your textbooks, DVDs, Test Prep, or software to answer any of the questions when in Test mode. You may, however, use the legends, charts, and figures provided in Prepware as onscreen images within the test. During the official FAA Knowledge Test, the testing center will provide these same legends, charts, and figures in a printed book (the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement). The testing center may also include onscreen images within the testing interface for some FAA Knowledge Tests.

Test-Taking Tips

  1. You are permitted to use your aviation plotter or flight computer (E6B or CX-3) or use the in-software CX-3 available from the calculator icon. A similar on-screen flight computer is available at the testing center. In addition, you are allowed blank scratch paper and pencil (these items are provided at the testing centers, do not bring your own). An Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement with figures and legends is included within Prepware. A printed copy of the figures book will be provided to you at the testing center.
  2. Answer each question in accordance with the latest regulations and guidance publications. Read each question carefully before looking at the possible answers. You should clearly understand the problem before attempting to solve it.
  3. When solving a calculation problem, select the answer choice that is nearest to your solution to the problem. The problem has been checked with various types of calculators; therefore, if you have solved it correctly, your answer will be closer to the correct answer than any of the other choices (but may not exactly match the answer choices).
  4. If you find a question difficult, mark it using the star icon and move on. Return to the starred questions once you have worked through the whole test, but before grading. This helps you make the most of your time.
  5. Make sure you select an answer for every question. Unanswered questions will be graded as incorrect.
  6. When taking your official FAA test at the testing center, your test will be graded immediately upon completion and your score will be provided to you by the test proctor on an Airman Knowledge Test Report. Be sure to retain this report for your checkride and records.

Endorsements

Once you are consistently scoring above 80%, you are probably ready for your test. Submit two complete tests to ASA, each with a score of 80% or better, to receive an endorsement to take your actual FAA Knowledge Test (AMT and IA applicants must receive authorization from the local FSDO or Part 147 school). You may also elect to email scores to your instructor to receive your endorsement from them.

From the Test screen, go to “Request an Endorsement” and click the “Request” button. On the left side, complete your contact information, which must match your government-issued identification. On the right side, select two test scores of 80% or higher, select who you’d like to send the request to (ASA or enter an instructor email address), and then submit the request.

You will receive an email back from do_not_reply@asa2fly.org with a PDF attachment containing your official endorsement to take the requested FAA Knowledge Test. Bring this endorsement with you to the testing center as proof of authorization to take the knowledge test. Endorsements are valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance.

Recommended Study Plan

Use Prepware as the final phase of your preparation for the FAA Knowledge Test. Before starting Prepware, ensure you have studied and understand the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the certificate or rating you are pursuing.

Prepware is not designed to teach each aeronautical knowledge element in depth—that is the purpose of the ground school. Instead, Prepware helps you identify areas where your knowledge may be insufficient, review important concepts, and become familiar with the types of questions you may encounter on the FAA Knowledge Test. Most importantly, it helps you determine when you are ready to take the test.

  1. Review the study guide topics.
    Begin by reviewing one study guide topic at a time. Focus on understanding the concepts presented. Study guides serve as condensed summaries of key information and highlight some of the most important topics you should understand for each knowledge area.
  2. Practice with quizzes.
    After completing a study guide topic, select the associated questions and practice using Quiz Levels 1, 2, and 3. Continue practicing until you are comfortable with the material and can consistently answer the questions correctly.
  3. Use question references for deeper learning.
    If you miss a question or are unsure of an answer, review the explanation and follow the provided references to strengthen your understanding of the subject.
  4. Repeat for all knowledge areas.
    Continue this process—reviewing study guide topics and completing quiz levels—until you have covered all knowledge areas.
  5. Take untimed quizzes.
    Once all topics are complete, use Quick Quiz with the “Based on FAA requirements” option to take an untimed quiz that reflects the FAA test map question distribution. This allows you to evaluate your readiness without time pressure.
  6. Transition to timed practice tests.
    When you are consistently scoring 80% or higher, begin taking timed practice tests. These tests simulate the format, timing, and structure of the actual FAA Knowledge Test and help you build confidence and test-taking endurance.