What to do the night before, the morning of, and during the test.
Pulled together from PSI test-center policies, FAA testing guidance, and what actually trips people up in the room.
Night before
- Read the full Cheat Sheet — just the values, not the deep details
Goal: refresh recognition. Don't try to learn anything new the night before — sleep matters more.
- Re-read the 'Common test traps' section
These are the exact patterns the FAA uses to bait wrong answers. Knowing the trap is half the defense.
- Stop studying by 8pm. Get 7–8 hours of sleep.
Fatigue meaningfully degrades recall and judgment. Trading sleep for one more drill set is a bad trade.
- Confirm your test time, location, and ID requirements
PSI test centers vary. Check the confirmation email. Print it if your phone might die.
- Lay out: photo ID + confirmation email + light snack + water bottle
Most centers allow water in a clear container at the seat. Snacks for breaks only.
Morning of
- Eat a normal breakfast — protein + carbs
Don't skip. Don't try anything new. Caffeine if you normally use it, but not extra.
- Skim the Cheat Sheet one final time (15 minutes max)
Focus on numerical values that decay fast: kinetic-energy thresholds, civil twilight ±30, accident reporting $500/10 days, max altitude/speed/visibility.
- Arrive 30 minutes early
PSI requires check-in. Late arrival = rebook (and pay again). Use the extra minutes to sit quietly, not cram.
- Use the restroom before check-in
Some centers don't allow re-entry. Two hours is a long time.
What to bring (and what NOT to bring)
- Government-issued photo ID — REQUIRED
Driver's license or passport. Name on ID must exactly match your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) account.
- FAA Tracking Number (FTN)
Found in your IACRA account. PSI will need this to register your result with the FAA.
- Test confirmation email or number
Some centers ask for it at check-in.
- Leave at home: phone, smartwatch, books, notes, calculator
PSI provides an on-screen calculator and the official FAA testing supplement (with all chart figures). Personal electronics go in a locker.
- Snacks/water for the locker
You can step out for short breaks but the timer keeps running.
During the test
- Read every question stem twice
The FAA writes questions carefully. A single word ('greater than' vs 'at or above', 'must' vs 'may') changes the answer.
- Eliminate one wrong answer first
Three-choice multiple choice = 33% baseline. Eliminating one bad answer takes you to 50%. Usually one answer is obviously wrong — drop it first.
- Flag and skip if you're stuck
Don't spend more than ~2 minutes per question on first pass. Flag tough ones, finish the easy ones, come back with momentum.
- Always look at the figure FIRST, then re-read the stem
For figure questions, study the figure for what's there before reading the question — you'll spot the answer faster.
- For METAR/TAF questions, decode the whole string
Don't shortcut. Wind, visibility, weather, sky, temp/dew, altimeter, remarks — go in order.
- Trust your first instinct on ambiguous wording
Statistically, your first answer is more often correct than your second-guessed one. Only change if you find a clear reason.
- Use the on-screen calculator and plotter
Both are provided. They're slower than physical tools — practice using on-screen versions during your final timed exam.
After: getting the result
- Score is immediate at the end of the test
PSI prints a score report on the spot. You'll know pass/fail and your raw score percentage.
- Pass = 70% minimum (42/60 correct)
There's no partial credit, no curve. Score report shows which ACS knowledge areas you missed (for re-study if you ever take a checkride).
- Apply for the Remote Pilot Certificate in IACRA
Use the score report ID + your FTN. The certificate prints automatically (you'll get a temporary one immediately, permanent card in 6–8 weeks).
- If you fail: 14-day wait, then retake
Same exam location, new question set. The fee is the same. Most who fail pass on the second attempt — study the missed ACS areas hard.
You've done the work — trust it.
By the time you're at the test center you've already either prepared enough or you haven't. Test-day strategy matters at the margins, but the result is mostly already decided. Sleep, eat, breathe, read carefully, and trust your first instincts.