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100+ Free FAA Ground Instructor Practice Questions

Pass your FAA Ground Instructor (BGI/AGI/IGI) Knowledge Tests exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Key Facts: FAA Ground Instructor Exam

100

AGI Questions

Multiple choice

70%

Passing Score

70 of 100 correct

$175

Per Test Fee

PSI testing centers

No expiration

Certificate Validity

12-month currency req.

2.5 hours

Time Allotted

150 minutes

18 years

Minimum Age

To hold certificate

The AGI knowledge test has 100 multiple-choice questions covering aerodynamics, FARs, weather, navigation, aircraft systems, weight and balance, airspace, and aeromedical factors. You need 70% (70 correct) to pass. The BGI has 80 questions and the IGI has 50 questions, both also requiring 70%. Each test costs $175 at PSI testing centers with a 2.5-hour time limit. You must also pass the 50-question Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test unless exempt. The certificate does not expire but requires 12-month currency per 14 CFR 61.217.

Sample FAA Ground Instructor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA Ground Instructor exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under 14 CFR Part 61, what is the minimum age to hold a ground instructor certificate?
A.16 years old
B.17 years old
C.18 years old
D.21 years old
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.213(a)(1), a person must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for a ground instructor certificate. While a candidate may take the knowledge test at age 16, the actual certificate cannot be issued until age 18.
2Which knowledge test is required for initial ground instructor certification in addition to the rating-specific test?
A.Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) knowledge test
B.Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test
C.Instrument Rating knowledge test
D.Private Pilot knowledge test
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.213(a)(3), applicants for a ground instructor certificate must pass a knowledge test on the fundamentals of instructing, which covers the learning process, elements of effective teaching, student evaluation, course development, lesson planning, and classroom training techniques. This requirement is waived if the applicant holds a current teacher's certificate or is a college/university instructor.
3A holder of a Basic Ground Instructor (BGI) certificate is authorized to provide ground training for which certificates?
A.Sport, recreational, and private pilot certificates only
B.All pilot certificates including commercial and ATP
C.Only the sport pilot certificate
D.Private and instrument rating certificates
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.215(b), a basic ground instructor may provide ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of a sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or private pilot certificate. For higher certificates or the instrument rating, an AGI or IGI is required.
4Under 14 CFR 61.217, a ground instructor must show recent experience within what time period to exercise certificate privileges?
A.6 calendar months
B.12 calendar months
C.24 calendar months
D.36 calendar months
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.217, a ground instructor may not perform the duties of a ground instructor unless the person can show qualifying activity during the preceding 12 calendar months. Qualifying activities include giving ground or flight instruction, completing a FIRC, or receiving a knowledge endorsement from an authorized instructor.
5An Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) is authorized to provide ground training for all pilot certificates EXCEPT which of the following?
A.Commercial pilot certificate
B.Airline Transport Pilot certificate
C.Instrument rating (exclusively)
D.Private pilot certificate
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.215(c), an advanced ground instructor may provide ground training for all pilot certificates and ratings issued under Part 61 except the instrument rating. Ground training for the instrument rating requires an Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) or a flight instructor with an instrument rating (CFII).
6Which of the following is NOT a way for a ground instructor to meet the 12-month recent experience requirement under 14 CFR 61.217?
A.Giving ground training to a pilot applicant
B.Completing an approved flight instructor refresher course (FIRC)
C.Passing the AGI knowledge test again
D.Receiving an endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying current knowledge
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.217 lists four ways to maintain currency: (a) activity as a ground instructor, (b) activity as a flight instructor, (c) completing a FIRC, or (d) receiving an endorsement from an authorized instructor. Retaking the knowledge test is NOT listed as a method to meet the recent experience requirement.
7The FOI knowledge test requirement for a ground instructor certificate is waived if the applicant holds which of the following?
A.A current commercial pilot certificate
B.A teacher's certificate issued by a state, county, city, or municipality
C.A current first-class medical certificate
D.An associate's degree in aviation
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.213(b), the FOI knowledge test is waived for applicants who hold a ground or flight instructor certificate, hold a teacher's certificate authorizing instruction at the 7th grade or higher, or are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
8A ground instructor certificate holder is authorized to endorse applicants for which of the following?
A.Only solo flight endorsements
B.Knowledge tests required for pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificates
C.Practical tests for all pilot certificates
D.Medical certificate waivers
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.1(b)(2)(ii), a ground instructor certificate holder may endorse applicants for knowledge tests required for pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificates or ratings. Ground instructors cannot endorse for practical tests (checkrides) or solo flight; those endorsements require a flight instructor.
9Is a medical certificate required to obtain or exercise the privileges of a ground instructor certificate?
A.Yes, at least a third-class medical is required
B.Yes, a BasicMed authorization is required
C.No, no medical certificate is required
D.Only if the ground instructor also holds a pilot certificate
Explanation: No medical certificate is required for a ground instructor certificate. Unlike flight instructor certificates, ground instructors do not need to demonstrate physical fitness because their duties do not involve operating aircraft. This makes the ground instructor certificate one of the most accessible FAA certifications.
10What is the passing score for all FAA ground instructor knowledge tests?
A.60%
B.70%
C.75%
D.80%
Explanation: All FAA airman knowledge tests, including the BGI, AGI, and IGI ground instructor tests, require a minimum passing score of 70%. For the AGI (100 questions), this means at least 70 correct answers. For the BGI (80 questions), at least 56 correct. For the IGI (50 questions), at least 35 correct.

About the FAA Ground Instructor Exam

The FAA Ground Instructor certificate authorizes holders to provide ground training for pilot, flight instructor, and ground instructor certificates under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart I. Three ratings are available: Basic Ground Instructor (BGI) covers sport, recreational, and private pilot training; Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) covers all pilot certificate levels except instrument; and Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) covers instrument rating ground training. No pilot certificate or flight experience is required.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours 30 minutes

Passing Score

70% (70 of 100 questions for AGI)

Exam Fee

$175 per knowledge test (FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) / PSI)

FAA Ground Instructor Exam Content Outline

20%

Federal Aviation Regulations

14 CFR Parts 61, 91, 43, pilot certification, airworthiness requirements, operating rules, medical requirements, logbook entries

15%

Aerodynamics & Principles of Flight

Lift, drag, thrust, weight, stability, stalls, spins, load factor, turns, ground effect, aspect ratio, propeller effects

15%

Aviation Weather

Atmospheric pressure, fronts, clouds, turbulence, icing, thunderstorms, fog, METARs, TAFs, aviation weather services

15%

Navigation & Flight Planning

Pilotage, dead reckoning, VOR, NDB, GPS, sectional charts, flight computers, fuel planning, true vs magnetic heading

15%

Aircraft Performance & Weight and Balance

Takeoff and landing distance, density altitude, performance charts, CG calculations, moment arms, loading graphs

10%

Airport Operations & Airspace

Airspace classes A through G, airport markings, lighting, NOTAMs, ATC procedures, traffic patterns, right-of-way rules

10%

Aeromedical Factors & Decision-Making

Hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, vision, aeronautical decision-making, crew resource management, human factors

How to Pass the FAA Ground Instructor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (70 of 100 questions for AGI)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Exam fee: $175 per knowledge test

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FAA Ground Instructor Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with FARs (14 CFR Parts 61 and 91) since regulations carry the heaviest weight on the AGI test and form the foundation for all other topics.
2Use the FAA Testing Supplement (FAA-CT-8080-5H) during study since it contains the same figures and charts you will reference during the actual exam.
3Practice METAR and TAF decoding until it becomes automatic since weather questions frequently require interpreting coded aviation weather reports.
4Work through performance charts and weight-and-balance problems with a flight computer or E6B since these calculation-based questions are free points if you practice.
5If you already hold a private or commercial pilot certificate, focus your study on the additional commercial-level topics since roughly 90% of AGI content overlaps with private and commercial knowledge areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of FAA ground instructor certificates?

The FAA issues three ground instructor ratings under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart I: Basic Ground Instructor (BGI) authorizes ground training for sport, recreational, and private pilot certificates. Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) covers everything the BGI does plus commercial, ATP, and other pilot certificates except the instrument rating. Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) authorizes ground training specifically for the instrument rating and instrument proficiency checks.

Do I need a pilot certificate to become an FAA ground instructor?

No. Unlike flight instructor certificates, ground instructor certification has no requirement for a pilot certificate, flight experience, or medical certificate. You must be at least 18 years old, read/write/speak/understand English, and pass the FOI knowledge test plus the rating-specific knowledge test (BGI, AGI, or IGI). This makes ground instructor one of the most accessible FAA certificates.

How many questions are on each ground instructor knowledge test?

The Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) test has 100 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. The Basic Ground Instructor (BGI) test has 80 questions with a 2.5-hour limit. The Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) test has 50 questions with a 2.5-hour limit. All three require a 70% passing score. You must also pass the 50-question Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test unless you hold a current teacher's certificate or are a college/university instructor.

How much does the FAA ground instructor exam cost?

Each FAA knowledge test costs $175, paid to PSI at the testing center. For initial ground instructor certification, you typically need to take two tests: the FOI ($175) and your rating-specific test ($175), totaling $350. If you already hold a flight instructor or ground instructor certificate, the FOI is waived. If you fail, you must receive additional instruction, get an endorsement, and pay $175 again to retest.

Does the ground instructor certificate expire?

The ground instructor certificate itself does not expire. However, under 14 CFR 61.217, you may not exercise your privileges unless you can show activity within the preceding 12 calendar months. This can be demonstrated by: (a) giving ground instruction, (b) giving flight instruction as a CFI, (c) completing an approved flight instructor refresher course (FIRC), or (d) receiving an endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying your knowledge is current.