The Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) knowledge test covers what a dispatcher needs to share operational control with the captain: regulations, meteorology and weather products, navigation, aircraft performance and weight and balance, communications, air traffic control, emergencies and practical dispatch decisions.
Exam format at a glance
| Format | 80 multiple-choice questions in 3.5 hours, at an FAA airman knowledge testing center. Minimum age to take the test is 21. |
| Cost | Testing fees are set by the testing center — check current pricing when you schedule. |
| Scoring | The passing score is 70 percent. Practice scores here use the same 70% pass line. |
| Validity | The knowledge test must have been passed within the preceding 24 calendar months when you apply for the certificate (14 CFR 65.55). The certificate itself requires age 23 and a practical test. |
Who this exam is for
- Students in an FAA-approved aircraft dispatcher course
- Airline operations staff moving into dispatch
- Pilots adding a dispatcher certificate
How to actually study for it
- Know Part 121 dispatch rules cold: releases, alternates, fuel and redispatch.
- Practice decoding METARs, TAFs, PIREPs and SIGMETs quickly and accurately.
- Work weight and balance and performance problems until the arithmetic is automatic.
- Review emergency authority, NTSB reporting and security responsibilities.
Where to go next
Start with the free 10-question diagnostic to see where you actually stand, or go straight to the one-page Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) cheat sheet. The full Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) practice exam covers every domain at the real exam's weighting, with every answer explained.