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PPL practice questions: the 9 subjects of the EASA private pilot theory

The EASA PPL(A) theory is examined in 9 subjects, one paper each, and every paper needs 75 % to pass. ForAllPilots offers 3,973 preparation questions in English, sorted by those 9 subjects, most with an explanation. This page sets out the EASA rules for the exam, with their sources, then lists the subjects.

See PPL pricingThe subjects

The PPL theory exam in brief

Subjects
9 subjects, one examination paper each: air law, human performance, meteorology, communications, navigation, principles of flight, operational procedures, flight performance and planning, aircraft general knowledge.

Source: EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011), October 2026 revision: FCL.215 and GM1 FCL.025

Number of questions
EASA's acceptable means of compliance set 120 multiple-choice questions in total, covering all the subjects. How they are split between the papers, and the time allowed for each, is set by your national authority: check the format it publishes.

Source: EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011), October 2026 revision: AMC1 FCL.215; FCL.235

Pass mark
At least 75 % of the marks of each paper. There is no penalty marking: a wrong answer costs nothing more than a blank one.

Source: EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011), October 2026 revision: FCL.025

Attempts and time limits
4 attempts at most per paper, and all papers passed within 18 months from the end of the calendar month of your first attempt. Otherwise you retake the complete set, after further training. A pass stays valid for 24 months for the issue of the PPL.

Source: EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011), October 2026 revision: FCL.025

Recommendation
You train at an ATO or a DTO, and sit the exams on its recommendation, valid for 12 months. All the papers are taken under the same Member State's competent authority.

Sources: EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011), October 2026 revision: FCL.025(a) · EASA, Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011), October 2026 revision: FCL.210

The 9 subjects of the bank

The 9 subjects in syllabus order, with the size of our bank for each. The number of questions and the time per paper depend on your national authority, so they are not listed here. Click a subject to open its page: syllabus, worked examples, method.

PPL subjects and the size of the question bank
010Air law603
020Aircraft general knowledge530
030Flight performance and planning359
040Human performance255
050Meteorology592
060Navigation842
070Operational procedures141
080Principles of flight419
091VFR communications232
Total3,973

Illustrated courses and free questions

Each subject has an illustrated course, split into chapters and key points with diagrams, what to remember and the classic exam traps. The first chapter of every course is free to read, and every subject has a page of free practice questions with answers.

How to prepare the exams

  1. 1

    One subject at a time, in the order of your course

    Each subject is a separate paper. Revise the one your instructor has just covered, and keep in mind that all of them must be passed within 18 months of your first attempt.

  2. 2

    Sets of 20 or 30 questions, then your mistakes

    Each set is marked straight away, with the explanation. Then redo the questions you got wrong: that is where the 75 % is won.

  3. 3

    Work the calculations by hand

    Mass and balance, navigation, crosswind, stall speed in a turn: these questions are solved with a formula. Learn it, then redo the calculation without looking at the answer.

  4. 4

    Always answer

    There is no penalty marking: a question left blank scores nothing, an answer you try may score a mark.

  5. 5

    Time yourself before the exam

    The site's mock exam gives you 60 questions in 1 h 30, drawn from the whole PPL bank: it is a training format, not the official split by subject. To rehearse a real paper, use the number of questions and the time your authority publishes for it.

How ForAllPilots trains you

  • Series of 20 or 30 questions

    New questions, mistakes to review or a mix of both, with the answer and its explanation straight away.

  • Flashcards

    Question on the front, explained answer on the back, filtered by subject, to learn without a timer.

  • Timed mock exam

    60 questions in 90 minutes, drawn from the whole PPL bank: a training format, not a copy of an official paper.

  • AI instructor, optional

    From €4.99 a month on top of the Private pilot or PRO offer: it quizzes you in writing and explains your mistakes. A beta tool, it does not replace an approved instructor.

PPL access comes with the Private pilot offer (BIA, PPL, microlight and helicopter): €10 a month, cancel anytime, or €69 once with the Exam Pass (18 months of access, nothing renews). Prices include all taxes.

See PPL pricingCreate an account

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are there in the PPL theory exam?+

EASA's acceptable means of compliance set 120 multiple-choice questions in total over the 9 subjects. The number of questions per paper and the time allowed are set by each national authority, so check the format published by yours.

What score do I need?+

At least 75 % of the marks of each paper. No marks are taken off for a wrong answer.

How many attempts do I get?+

4 attempts at most per paper. All papers must be passed within 18 months from the end of the calendar month of your first attempt; otherwise you retake the complete set after further training at a DTO or an ATO. A pass is valid for 24 months for the issue of the licence.

Where do the site's questions come from?+

They are preparation questions in the format of EASA papers: they are not exam questions. Questions and explanations may contain errors.

Does ForAllPilots replace my training?+

No. It is a personal revision tool. It replaces neither your course material nor the training of your ATO or DTO, which recommends you for the exam.

How much does it cost?+

The Private pilot offer covers PPL, BIA, microlight and helicopter: €10 a month with no commitment, or €69 for the Exam Pass (one payment, 18 months of access). The AI instructor is a paid extra, never included in the subscription.

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