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Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) practice test and AI study plan
Prepare for the FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test. Track every topic on the test, master each one with an AI tutor that cites the FAA handbooks, and take timed mock exams weighted like the real thing.
- Questions
- 50
- Time allowed
- 1.5 hours
- Passing score
- 70%
- ACS topics
- 104
How it works
What’s on the FOI test
Questions come from the knowledge and risk management elements of the Sport Flight Instructor Helicopter - Simplified Flight Controls ACS. Our mock exams spread the 50 questions across its areas in proportion to how many topics each has; the FAA does not publish its exact weighting.
| Area of operation | Topics | Mock exam questions |
|---|---|---|
| I. Fundamentals of Instructing | 104 | 50 |
Taking the FOI knowledge test
What you need before, during, and after the FAA Fundamentals of Instructing test. Requirements change, so confirm with the sources below before you schedule.
Before the test
- Minimum age
- You must be at least 16 to take the FOI test.
- Authorization
- Bring a graduation certificate from a pilot school or a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor (required since September 1, 2024).
- Registration
- Get an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating a profile in IACRA, then schedule with PSI, the FAA's testing vendor, online or by phone at 844-704-1487. Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours ahead, and arrive about 15 minutes early.
- Cost
- PSI charges $175 per knowledge test, plus tax where it applies.
On test day
- Format
- 50 multiple-choice questions in 1.5 hours (90 minutes). You need 70% to pass.
- Bring
- A current government-issued photo ID that shows your date of birth, signature, and physical residential address (a P.O. box doesn't count). Applicants under 18 without an acceptable ID need a parent or guardian to attest to their identity.
- Provided
- The test center provides the testing supplement, scratch paper, and a pen, and the test software has a built-in calculator. You may bring an E6B, plotter, or a basic or aviation calculator if you clear its memory in front of the proctor, though the center can refuse any personal calculator.
After the test
- Results
- You get your printed Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) at the test center as soon as you finish. It shows your score and a code for each knowledge area you missed.
- Validity
- A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months for the practical test. You don't need the FOI at all if you already hold a flight or ground instructor certificate, a state teaching certificate for grade 7 or higher, or teach at an accredited college.
- If you fail
- You need additional training and a written endorsement from the authorized instructor who gave it, then present the failed test report at the retest. There is no required waiting period.
- Higher score
- You can retake a passed test to improve your score after 30 days; the most recent score is the one that counts.
- Next step
- Pass the flight or ground instructor knowledge test for your category, then the instructor practical test. You must be 18 to hold a flight instructor certificate.
Sources: 14 CFR 61.39 · 14 CFR 61.49 · 14 CFR 61.183 · 14 CFR 61.185 · FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix · FAA airman testing · PSI FAA testing programs · FAA Order 8080.6H. Checked October 2026.
Online ground school courses for the FOI test
A course teaches the material; KTR Helper helps you master it and track what’s left. Here are the options we know of. Listings marked Sponsored are paid placements and appear first; the rest are shown in a rotating random order.
- CFI & FOI Courses MzeroAvideo course
9 FOI lessons and 17 CFI lessons delivered as video ground school.
- Free FAA Practice Test – CFI/FOI King Schoolspractice examFree
Free practice exam drawing FAA-style questions from King's CFI and FOI question database.
- GroundSchool - Flight and Ground Instructor Dauntless Aviationtest prep app, works offline
FAA-style questions with explanations for flight and ground instructor tests and the FOI, with free updates.
- Online Ground School: Fundamentals of Instructing Gleim Aviationwritten course
Six modules on learning, teaching methods, instructional planning, and evaluation; a test endorsement is issued on completion.
- Flight Instructor (CFI) & FOI Ground School & Test Prep Bundle King Schoolsvideo course + test prep
About 14.5 hours of CFI video and 3 hours of FOI video, with FAA-style questions, explanations, and unlimited randomized practice exams.
- Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) Ground School & Test Prep King Schoolsvideo course + test prep
About 3 hours of video lessons with FAA-style questions, explanations, and unlimited randomized practice exams.
- FAA Test Prep Online: Flight and Ground Instructor plus FOI Gleim Aviationtest prep
1,200+ multiple-choice questions with explanations, study sessions, and unlimited exam-style practice tests.
- Flight Instructor Study Courses Sheppard Airtest prep app, works offline
Separate question-based study courses for each instructor test that work offline.
- Prepware Online ASAtest prep
Cloud-based question bank with study sessions and practice tests for one chosen FAA knowledge test, with 24 months of access.
- Flight Instructor Checkride and Test Prep Course (CFI, CFII and FOI) Sporty'stest prep
Study guides and test-prep modules with 3,500 FAA-style questions built on ASA Prepware, oral exam flashcards, and an FOI test endorsement.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test?
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The FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test has 50 multiple-choice questions, 1.5 hours (90 minutes) to answer them, and a passing score of 70%.
What does the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test cover?
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Questions come from the knowledge and risk management elements of the Sport Flight Instructor Helicopter - Simplified Flight Controls Airman Certification Standards: Fundamentals of Instructing.
How old do you have to be to take the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test?
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You must be at least 16 to take the FOI test.
Do I need an endorsement to take the FOI test?
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Bring a graduation certificate from a pilot school or a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor (required since September 1, 2024).
How much does the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test cost?
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PSI charges $175 per knowledge test, plus tax where it applies. You schedule through PSI after getting an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA.
How long are FOI test results valid?
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A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months for the practical test. You don't need the FOI at all if you already hold a flight or ground instructor certificate, a state teaching certificate for grade 7 or higher, or teach at an accredited college.
What happens if I fail the FOI test?
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You need additional training and a written endorsement from the authorized instructor who gave it, then present the failed test report at the retest. There is no required waiting period.
How should I study for the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test?
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Take a ground school course to learn the material, then use KTR Helper to track all 104 ACS topics, master each one with the AI tutor and practice questions, and take timed mock exams. After the test, add your knowledge test report and the codes you missed move to the top of your plan for the checkride.
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