IRA

Instrument Rating, Airplane Practice Test 2026

Practice with exam-style questions drawn straight from the FAA's own source material. Every answer is explained in plain English, so you understand it instead of just memorizing it.

Start PracticingReal pass odds · Targets weak spots

HOW WE HELP YOU PREPARE

883 questions, 4 practice runs, and 1 exam simulator for the Instrument test.

INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS

60 questions on the real test, 70% passing score (42 of 60).

Last verified October 2026

Sample FAA Instrument Rating certificate, a knowledge-prep study visual

Study by category

Master each topic before test day.

PersonalizedStudy your weak spots first PRO

STEP 1

Start with the Instrument Flying Handbook

Every Instrument question below comes from this FAA book. Skim it first. When you miss a question, we show you the page to reread.

Read it free Buy on Amazon + Test chart booklet

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Weather Information 139 questions

Weather Information 2PRO39 questions Weather Information 3PRO39 questions Weather Information 4PRO37 questions Cross-Country Flight Planning 1PRO46 questions Cross-Country Flight Planning 2PRO46 questions Airplane Systems Related to IFR Operations 1PRO27 questions Airplane Systems Related to IFR Operations 2PRO27 questions Aeromedical FactorsPRO29 questions Preflight PreparationPRO29 questions Practice run: Preflight Preparation20 free of 50 · mixed topicsStart run

Pro study tools

The free runs cover the basics. These tools answer one question: would you pass the Instrument test today?

Instrument Exam SimulatorPROTimed test at real length: 60 questions, 70% to pass (42 of 60), same pressure.

Quick QuizPROA short set drawn from the questions you miss most, reshuffled every time.

Charts & FiguresPRODrill the 54 chart, graph, and figure questions in the Instrument bank, the part most people find hardest.

Readiness analysisPROYour strengths, weak spots, and estimated pass probability across the bank.

Your Instrument pass probability, before you book.

The IQ Readiness Score measures multiple dimensions of test readiness from your own answers.

See Plans and Pricing

★ INCLUDED WITH PRO

Multi-dimension analysisWhere you are strong and where you need work.
Personalized study pathFinds your weakest topics so you study what matters most.
Pass probabilityYour real chances before you sit. No guessing.
Weak-topic recoveryMissed questions return until you have truly learned them.

Try It Yourself

Get a taste of the study experience. Answer a real question, or preview the timed exam simulator.

SAMPLE · IRA14CFR91

In which circumstance does the requirement to have filed an IFR flight plan and received an appropriate ATC clearance apply?

§ 91.173PICK ONE

EXAM SIMULATOR1 / 60

Under the conditions described in the regulation, which of the following statements about the required limitation is correct for this operation?

AOnly when the appropriate authorization has been issued and remains current for the category.

BWhenever the operating limits fall within the standard range published for the class.

CUnder all normal circumstances provided the equipment is inspected within the interval.

DNever, because the limitation applies without exception to every certificate holder.

Exam Simulator

A 60-question test that mirrors the real Instrument Rating, Airplane exam. 70% to pass.

Get it with Pro

60 questions · 70% to pass · 2.5 hr limitPRO

About the Instrument test

The Instrument Rating (Airplane) knowledge test covers flight under instrument flight rules (IFR): instrument procedures, approaches, the air traffic system, weather, and the regulations for flying in instrument meteorological conditions.

You take it if you are a certificated pilot adding an instrument rating so you can legally fly in clouds and reduced visibility under IFR, rather than being limited to visual conditions.

The Instrument Rating, Airplane knowledge test has 60 questions and requires 70% to pass, which is 42 correct. It is a computer-based test given at a PSI test center for a $175 fee. You must pass with 70% or higher before taking the practical test (checkride) or oral and practical for your certificate.

Aviator IQ's bank for this test holds 883 practice questions across 24 categories, each grounded in Instrument Flying Handbook. Every question shows an explanation and cites the section it comes from, so a wrong answer teaches the rule rather than just marking you down.

A passing knowledge-test result is one requirement. A certificated instructor still endorses you, and the practical test or checkride is separate. Aviator IQ prepares the knowledge test so that step is behind you.

FREE TOOLS

Helpful Instrument tools

E6B Wind Triangle & Cross-Country CalculatorCalculators METAR & TAF DecoderWeather VFR Weather Minimums VisualizerWeather Density Altitude CalculatorCalculators TI-30XA Scientific CalculatorCalculators

READING

Common questions about the Instrument Rating, Airplane Test

The Instrument Rating, Airplane knowledge test has 60 questions and is delivered on a computer at a PSI testing center. The passing score is 70%, which means you need 42 correct. Our bank holds 883 practice questions across 24 subject categories, so you can drill well past the length of a single sitting.

A sitting at a PSI testing center runs about $175, and if you do not pass you pay that fee again for each retake. Aviator IQ Pro is $29 paid once, so the goal is to walk in ready and clear the 70% mark on the first attempt.

Every question is written from Instrument Flying Handbook and the other FAA source documents for this certificate. Each one carries a verbatim quote from the source, and that quote is checked against the document before the question ships, so a wrong answer teaches the rule rather than just marking you down. When the FAA reissues a handbook, the questions that cite it are pulled for review.

No. Aviator IQ is test preparation only and is not affiliated with the FAA. Under 14 CFR § 61.35 the authorization to take the official knowledge test comes from a certificated instructor or an approved course, not from a prep tool. The knowledge test is also only one requirement: the practical test or checkride is separate.

No. Pro is $29 paid one time and never renews. It unlocks every subject category, all practice runs, the full-length exam simulator, hints, and the readiness score. There is no monthly or annual charge.

MORE EXAMS

Prepping for more than one?

PARPrivate Pilot, Airplane60 questions on exam · 2.0 hr limit · 70% passingFAA-G-8082-17985Start Free

CAXCommercial Pilot, Airplane100 questions on exam · 2.5 hr limit · 70% passingFAA-G-8082-61,461Start Free

ATPAirline Transport Pilot, Airplane125 questions on exam · 4.0 hr limit · 70% passingFAA-G-8082-11,551Start Free

SPLSport Pilot40 questions on exam · 2.0 hr limit · 70% passingFAA-G-8082-16600Start Free