The Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) test covers how people learn and how to teach them: human behavior and communication, the learning process, lesson planning and teaching methods, assessment and critique, instructor professionalism, and teaching risk management.
Exam format at a glance
| Format | 50 multiple-choice questions in 1.5 hours, at an FAA airman knowledge testing center. Minimum age 16. |
| 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 | Some applicants are exempt under 14 CFR 61.183(e), such as certain teachers and existing instructors. |
Who this exam is for
- Commercial pilots preparing for the flight instructor certificate
- Ground instructor applicants
- Instructors refreshing teaching theory
How to actually study for it
- Memorize the laws of learning, the levels of learning and the domains of learning.
- Know Maslow's hierarchy and the common defense mechanisms with an example of each.
- Learn the teaching process, lesson parts and the demonstration-performance steps.
- Know test characteristics (validity, reliability, usability) and critique qualities.
Where to go next
Start with the free 10-question diagnostic to see where you actually stand, or go straight to the one-page Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) cheat sheet. The full Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) practice exam covers every domain at the real exam's weighting, with every answer explained.