How to Pass Your UK PPL Exams

Passing your PPL (Private Pilot Licence) exams is one of the biggest milestones on your journey to becoming a pilot. At Arco Aviation, we speak with students from across the UK who often ask the same question: “How do I best prepare for the written exams?” The good news is that with the right approach and tools, these exams are absolutely manageable — even enjoyable.

This guide covers practical study tips, recommended resources, and a few insights from real-world experience to help you get over the line.

An Overview of the PPL Exams

Before diving into revision tips, it’s useful to understand what you’re up against. In the UK, the CAA requires you to pass 9 theoretical exams as part of your PPL training:

1. Air Law

2. Operational Procedures

3. Meteorology

4. Human Performance

5. Navigation

6. Flight Performance and Planning

7. Aircraft General Knowledge

8. Principles of Flight

9. Communications

Each exam is multiple choice, and most are sat electronically either at your flying school or at an approved exam centre. Some, like Navigation and Flight Planning, require a bit of working out and can take longer.

Tip 1: Start with Air Law

Air Law is often the first exam taken — and for good reason. You need to pass it before you’re allowed to fly solo. Don’t underestimate it. The questions can be worded in tricky ways, and a solid grasp of rules and regulations is vital.

Recommendation: Set aside a week to focus solely on Air Law. Make notes, and use flashcards to remember key facts and numbers.

Tip 2: Don’t Cram — Pace Yourself

Trying to blitz through all the subjects in a month might sound appealing, but it rarely works well. Spread your study across your flight training and aim to sit one or two exams at a time. This helps you retain the information and apply it during your flying lessons, which reinforces your learning.

Create a study calendar with specific goals for each week. For example:

• Week 1: Read the Meteorology chapter and highlight important points

• Week 2: Complete practice questions on Met

• Week 3: Review, revise, and book the exam

Tip 3: Use the Right Resources

There are plenty of resources out there, but not all are created equal. Here's a selection that’s widely respected in the UK flying community:

Books

• Pooley’s Air Pilot’s Manuals (Volumes 1–7) – These are the gold standard for ground school theory in the UK.

• Q&A Examination Preparation (Books 1-9) - Great for testing your knowledge for each exam.

• Jeremy M. Pratt’s PPL books – A more concise alternative, great for reviewing topics.

Online Courses

• CAA Ground School – Offers high-quality video content with explanations tailored to UK exams.

• Bristol Ground school PPL – Known for their clear structure and question bank.

Question Banks

• Easy PPL Ground school and PPL Tutor – Ideal for testing your knowledge before you sit an exam.

Tip 4: Practice with Real Equipment

For Navigation and Flight Planning in particular, it pays to get hands-on with the tools you’ll use in real flying:

• CRP-1 or CRP-5 flight computer

• VFR charts (Southern England, Northern England/Scotland as needed)

• Protractors, rulers and a whizz wheel

Get comfortable with working out headings, wind drift, and ground speeds. These skills are also directly relevant to your real flying, so it’s time well spent.

Tip 5: Join a Community

You don’t have to go through the process alone. Whether it’s your flight school, a local flying club, or an online forum like PPRuNe or Backseat Pilot UK, speaking with others who are doing the same exams can be a massive help.

Some flight schools also run group study sessions or allow students to buddy up. Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor to explain tricky topics — that’s what they’re there for.

Tip 6: Know the Format, Beat the Clock

Time pressure can catch people out, especially in Navigation and Flight Planning. When practising questions, time yourself. Get used to answering quickly and moving on if you’re stuck — it’s better to come back to a tough one than waste five minutes on it.

Also, make sure you know how many questions you’ll get and the pass mark (usually 75%) for each exam.

Tip 7: Review and Reflect

After each exam, take note of any topics that tripped you up. Keep a small notebook or digital file of your mistakes and go over them before your next test. You’ll start to notice patterns in how the CAA frames questions — which is half the battle.

Final Thoughts

PPL exams aren’t easy, but they’re not meant to be impossible. With a structured approach, good materials, and a bit of discipline, you’ll get through them with confidence.

At Arco Aviation, we support new pilots by stocking a full range of learning tools — from flight computers to kneeboards, pilot logbooks to training manuals. If you’re just getting started or halfway through your exams, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to help guide future aviators on their way.

Blue skies and happy studying!