1.1 About the FAA Aviation Mechanic General Knowledge Test
Key Takeaways
- The FAA Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) knowledge test contains 60 multiple-choice questions in a three-option (A/B/C) format, carries a 2-hour limit, and requires 70% to pass (42 of 60 correct).
- There is no minimum age to sit the AMG test — the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix lists age as N/A — but 14 CFR 65.71(a)(1) requires an applicant to be 18 before the mechanic certificate can be issued.
- 14 CFR 65.77 states experience in months, not hours: 18 months for a single rating or 30 months performing airframe and powerplant duties concurrently; the FAA publishes no official hour equivalent.
- 14 CFR 65.71(a)(3) — not 65.75 or 65.79 — is the rule requiring all prescribed tests to be passed within 24 months; 65.75(d) allows an expired written report only under the narrow 61.40 military/overseas relief.
- Retesting is governed by 14 CFR 65.19: wait 30 days, or retest sooner with a signed statement from an airman who holds the certificate and rating(s) sought certifying instruction in each subject failed.
1.1 About the FAA Aviation Mechanic General Knowledge Test
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) knowledge test serves as the foundational milestone in earning an FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings (commonly termed the "A&P"). Federal law under Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) empowers the FAA to establish rigorous qualification and testing standards to maintain the airworthiness of civil aircraft operating within the National Airspace System (NAS).
Whether maintaining single-engine general aviation aircraft or transport-category commercial jetliners, every certificated mechanic must demonstrate comprehensive mastery of aeronautical science, regulatory compliance, inspection fundamentals, and standard workshop practices before exercising maintenance privileges.
Regulatory Framework: 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 65 governs the Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers. Within Part 65, Subpart D (§§ 65.71–65.95) defines the specific requirements, privileges, and limitations for certificated aviation mechanics.
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| 14 CFR PART 65 SUBPART D OVERVIEW |
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| Section | Title / Subject Matter |
+-------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| § 65.71 | Eligibility requirements: General |
| § 65.73 | Ratings (Airframe, Powerplant) |
| § 65.75 | Knowledge requirements & written examinations |
| § 65.77 | Experience requirements (Part 147 vs. Practical OJT) |
| § 65.79 | Skill requirements (Oral & Practical examination) |
| § 65.81 | General privileges and limitations |
| § 65.83 | Recent experience requirements (6 months in 24 months) |
| § 65.85 | Airframe rating: Additional privileges |
| § 65.87 | Powerplant rating: Additional privileges |
| § 65.91 | Inspection Authorization (IA) qualification |
| § 65.93 | Inspection Authorization (IA) renewal |
| § 65.95 | Inspection Authorization: Privileges and limitations |
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The General Test Prerequisite
Under 14 CFR § 65.75, an applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating must pass a written knowledge test covering the construction and maintenance of aircraft and the regulations governing them. The General (AMG) knowledge test represents the mandatory core curriculum. Even though the FAA issues ratings exclusively for Airframe and Powerplant, you cannot obtain either rating without first (or simultaneously) passing the General knowledge examination and its associated oral and practical components.
Eligibility Requirements (§ 65.71 & § 65.77)
To qualify for the FAA Aviation Mechanic General examination and subsequent mechanic certification, an applicant must satisfy strict statutory requirements set forth in 14 CFR § 65.71 and § 65.77.
1. General Qualifications (14 CFR § 65.71)
- Age: Must be at least 18 years of age to be issued the certificate. There is no minimum age to sit the AMG knowledge test — the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (rev. 10/22/25) lists the age requirement for AMA, AMG, and AMP as N/A. A 17-year-old may legally test; the certificate simply cannot be issued until the 18th birthday.
- Language Proficiency: Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
- Exception: If an applicant is employed outside the United States by a U.S. air carrier, the certificate may be issued with the limitation: "Valid only outside the United States."
2. Experience Pathways (14 CFR § 65.77)
An applicant must establish documented mechanical qualification through one of two authorized pathways:
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| MECHANIC QUALIFICATION PATHWAYS (§ 65.77) |
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| |
| PATHWAY A: 14 CFR Part 147 School PATHWAY B: Practical Experience |
| +-------------------------------+ +----------------------------+ |
| | • Graduate of an FAA-approved | | • Documented civilian OJT | |
| | Aviation Maintenance | | or military aviation logs| |
| | Technician School (AMTS) | | • Single Rating: 18 Months | |
| | • Presents Official School | | • Combined A&P: 30 Months | |
| | Graduation Certificate / | | • Documented practical | |
| | Certificate of Completion | | competencies | |
| +---------------+---------------+ +--------------+-------------+ |
| | | |
| +------------------+------------------+ |
| | |
| v |
| +---------------------------------+ |
| | FAA Form 8610-2 Authorization | |
| | Issued by FSDO ASI / AST | |
| +---------------------------------+ |
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Pathway A: 14 CFR Part 147 AMTS Curriculum
Graduates from an FAA-certificated Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) qualify directly upon presenting their official Certificate of Completion or Graduation Certificate. Part 147 institutions deliver standardized competency-based curricula aligned with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), encompassing General, Airframe, and Powerplant subject areas.
Pathway B: Practical On-the-Job Experience (Civilian or Military)
Applicants qualifying through practical experience must present verifiable, documented proof of hands-on work:
- Single Rating (Airframe OR Powerplant): At least 18 months of practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes or powerplants, appropriate to the rating sought.
- Combined Ratings (Airframe AND Powerplant): At least 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings.
- No published hour equivalent: § 65.77 is written in months, not hours. The FAA does not publish an official hour conversion; the responsible Flight Standards office evaluates whether the documented experience is full-time and substantive. Be suspicious of any prep source that quotes a specific hour figure as regulation.
- Military Experience: Military service members qualify by presenting Form DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official military training transcripts (e.g., VMET / Joint Services Transcript), and detailed specialty task logs showing proficiency in recognized Military Occupational Specialties (MOS / AFSC / NEC) that align with FAA airframe and powerplant disciplines.
3. FAA Form 8610-2 Application and Inspector Interview
Before taking any knowledge or practical examination through practical experience, the applicant must schedule an interview at an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with an Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) or Aviation Safety Technician (AST):
- The applicant submits two original completed copies of FAA Form 8610-2 (Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application).
- The applicant presents documentary evidence (employer letters, signed logbooks, military records, W-2s).
- The ASI/AST verifies the authenticity of the records, conducts an oral qualification interview to evaluate practical comprehension and English fluency, and endorses Section V of Form 8610-2.
- This signed Form 8610-2 serves as the applicant's official "authorization to test" (ticket to test).
Testing-center rule most candidates get wrong. Per the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, an original-issuance Form 8610-2 authorizes the AMG test only when the AIRFRAME and/or POWERPLANT box is checked along with ORIGINAL ISSUANCE. A proctor may not accept an original-issuance application for an AMG test alone. If the ADDED RATING box is marked, the AMG test is not required at all — a mechanic adding a second rating already holds AMG credit. AMTS students have a separate route: under § 65.75(c) and § 147.31, a student who has not yet graduated may take the AMG test by presenting an authenticated school document showing satisfactory completion of the General portion of the curriculum.
AMG Exam Specifications & Administration
The General knowledge test is administered electronically through FAA-contracted computer testing centers operated by PSI Services LLC.
| Exam Parameter | Specification | Practical Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Test Code | AMG | Aviation Mechanic — General |
| Number of Questions | 60 multiple-choice | Scored items derived from the General ACS pool |
| Allotted Time | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) | Exactly 2.0 minutes per question |
| Passing Score | 70% | Minimum 42 correct answers required |
| Question Format | 3 Options (A, B, C) | One unequivocally correct answer, two plausible distractors |
| Reference Material | FAA-CT-8080-4G (2018) | Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement provided digitally and/or as a physical spiral-bound book |
| Delivery Platform | PSI Computer Testing Network | Proctored, secure testing terminal with electronic calculator |
| Cost | ~$175 USD | Standardized testing fee set by FAA delivery contractor |
The Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement (FAA-CT-8080-4G)
During the examination, examinees have access to the official FAA-CT-8080-4G (Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Aviation Maintenance Technician — General, Airframe, and Powerplant; and Parachute Rigger, 2018 edition). Older sources call this the "Computer Testing Supplement," which is the legacy name for the same book. This supplement contains all official figures, electrical schematics, hydraulic diagrams, charts, graphs, and hardware specification tables referenced in exam questions. Familiarity with navigating this supplement is crucial for time management.
The Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) & The 24-Month Rule
Immediately upon concluding the exam, the testing system scores the session and prints the official Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR).
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| SAMPLE AIRMAN KNOWLEDGE TEST REPORT (AKTR) |
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| NAME: DOE, JOHN MICHAEL TEST DATE: 2026-08-29 |
| APPLICANT ID: A8492019 TEST CODE: AMG |
| SCORE: 88% (PASS) EXPIRATION DATE: 2028-08-31 |
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| ACS DEFICIENCY CODES (Areas Missed): |
| • AM.I.A.K7 (Electricity — Electrical laws and theory) |
| • AM.I.B.K3 (Drawings — Inspection using drawings/blueprints/schematics)|
| • AM.I.C.K7 (Weight & Balance — Adverse loading considerations) |
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| SECURITY EMBOSSMENT / QR AUTHENTICATION STAMP |
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Crucial AKTR Rules
- 24-Calendar-Month Validity: The controlling rule is 14 CFR § 65.71(a)(3) — to be eligible for a mechanic certificate a person must have "passed all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months." (§ 65.71(b) applies the same 24-calendar-month window to a certificated mechanic adding a rating.) In practice this means the oral and practical tests must be completed within 24 months of the knowledge test, or the written must be retaken.
- Narrow exception: § 65.75(d), added by Amendment 65-65 (effective 2024), allows an applicant to take the practical test with an expired written test report in accordance with § 61.40. Section 61.40 is relief limited to U.S. military and civilian personnel who served outside the United States in support of U.S. Armed Forces operations. It is not a general-purpose extension.
- ACS Deficiency Codes: The AKTR lists specific Airman Certification Standards (ACS) codes representing every question answered incorrectly. The Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) is legally mandated to interrogate these specific deficiency codes during the oral examination.
- Safeguarding the Original: The original embossed/signed AKTR (or digital equivalent verified through the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing system) must be physically presented to the DME prior to initiating the Oral and Practical test.
The Certification Sequence: Written to DME Oral & Practical
Passing the written exams is step one in a three-stage certification architecture:
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| COMPLETE MECHANIC CERTIFICATION FLOW |
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| |
| STAGE 1: KNOWLEDGE (WRITTEN) EXAMS |
| +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ |
| | • Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) - 60 Questions, 2 Hours, 70% | |
| | • Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) - 100 Questions, 2 Hours | |
| | • Aviation Mechanic Powerplant (AMP) - 100 Questions, 2 Hours | |
| +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+ |
| | |
| v [Generates AKTR - Valid 24 Months] |
| STAGE 2: DME ORAL EXAMINATION |
| +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ |
| | • Administered by Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) | |
| | • Mandatory questioning on all AKTR deficiency codes | |
| | • Comprehensive oral assessment across all ACS subject areas | |
| +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+ |
| | |
| v [Satisfactory Oral Performance] |
| STAGE 3: DME PRACTICAL EXAMINATION |
| +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ |
| | • Hands-on shop demonstration of maintenance skills | |
| | • Tasks: Safety wiring, sheet metal repair, electrical circuits, | |
| | NDT inspection, weight & balance calculation, flare tubing | |
| +--------------------------------+--------------------------------+ |
| | |
| v |
| FINAL ISSUANCE: TEMPORARY AIRMAN CERTIFICATE (FAA Form 8060-4) |
| • Issued on-site by DME; valid for 120 days pending permanent card |
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The Role of the Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME)
A Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) is a senior aviation maintenance professional appointed by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 183 to conduct oral and practical tests on behalf of the Administrator. The DME ensures that the applicant possesses both theoretical understanding and hands-on mechanical competency to safely return aircraft to service.
Retesting Rules (14 CFR § 65.19)
If an applicant fails a knowledge, oral, or practical test, specific federal regulations govern when and how they may retest.
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| RETESTING UNDER 14 CFR § 65.19 |
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| |
| +-----------------------+ |
| | FAILED KNOWLEDGE TEST | |
| +-----------+-----------+ |
| | |
| +------------------+------------------+ |
| | | |
| v v |
| OPTION 1: Standard Wait OPTION 2: Expedited Retest |
| +---------------------+ +-----------------------+ |
| | Wait at least | | Obtain signed | |
| | 30 DAYS from test | | statement from an | |
| | date before | | AIRMAN HOLDING THE | |
| | scheduling retest | | CERTIFICATE & RATING | |
| | | | SOUGHT, per 65.19(b) | |
| | No endorsement | | showing remedial | |
| | required | | training completed | |
| +---------------------+ +-----------+-----------+ |
| | | |
| | v |
| | Retest ANY TIME (<30d) |
| | | |
| +------------------+---------------------+ |
| | |
| v |
| +---------------------------------+ |
| | Reschedule with PSI Testing | |
| | (Pay Standard Retest Fee) | |
| +---------------------------------+ |
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Key Provisions of 14 CFR § 65.19
- Standard Retest Interval: An applicant may reapply for a test 30 days after the date the test was failed without any additional instructor endorsement.
- Expedited Retest (< 30 Days): An applicant may retest before 30 days have elapsed only by presenting a signed statement from an airman who holds the certificate and rating(s) the applicant is seeking, certifying that the airman gave the applicant additional instruction in each of the subjects failed and considers the applicant ready for retesting. The endorser's qualification is the exact wording of § 65.19(b) — a school instructor who does not hold the certificate and rating sought does not satisfy it.
- Retesting to Improve a Passing Score: Passing test scores (70% or higher) are final. An applicant cannot retest solely to achieve a higher score while their AKTR remains valid.
- Retesting After a Failed Oral/Practical: § 65.19 applies to written, oral, and practical tests alike — the same 30-day wait or qualified-airman endorsement governs a failed oral or practical retest. Whatever the retest path, § 65.71(a)(3) still requires all prescribed tests to be passed inside one 24-month window.
- Submit the failed report: The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix requires an applicant retesting after failure to surrender the failed Airman Knowledge Test Report to the testing center before retesting; the proctor scans and then destroys it.
Under 14 CFR § 65.77, what is the minimum practical experience required for an applicant applying for a combined Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificate through on-the-job training?
Which regulation establishes the 24-month window inside which a mechanic applicant must pass all prescribed tests (knowledge, oral, and practical)?
An applicant fails the FAA Aviation Mechanic General knowledge examination with a score of 64%. Under 14 CFR 65.19, under what circumstance may the applicant retake the examination before 30 days have expired?