After A&P Written Test Success: Your O&P Next Steps
After A&P written test success, your next steps are to keep the reports, check your testing window, confirm the application and eligibility documents for your route, and arrange the O&P. Passing a written test does not remove the remaining oral, practical, or certificate-eligibility requirements.
FAA ACS Companion Guide, p. 19 · 14 CFR § 65.71 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 6 · 14 CFR § 65.75 · 14 CFR § 65.79
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What should you keep after the writtens?
The ACS Companion Guide says the applicant should retain the original AKTR and present it to the evaluator before the practical test. Keep each report with your application documents. Review the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) as a study list alongside the broader ACS.
FAA ACS Companion Guide, p. 19 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. A-1
Our suggested first check is simple: list every report and its test date, note the rating you are seeking, and make one list of paperwork questions for the examiner. To decode a code, use our ACS-code guide.
How long is the O&P testing window?
Section 65.71 requires all prescribed tests to be passed within a period of 24 months. The ACS Companion Guide describes AKTR expiration as 24 calendar months after the month of the written test. Current Order 8900.1 says the examiner should check the written-test period against the expected O&P completion date, not merely the first appointment date. Check every applicable report rather than assuming the latest written resets the earlier ones.
14 CFR § 65.71 · FAA ACS Companion Guide, p. 19 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 8
The 24-month window has a narrow exception. Under 14 CFR 65.75(d), an applicant is eligible to take a practical test with an expired written test report in accordance with §61.40. Section 61.40 gives that relief to U.S. military and civilian personnel assigned outside the United States in support of U.S. Armed Forces operations. If you think it may apply to you, settle your eligibility with the DME or FAA office before relying on it.
14 CFR § 65.75 · 14 CFR § 61.40
What must be settled about eligibility and the 8610-2?
Before testing, current Order 8900.1 requires the examiner to review Form 8610-2 for completeness and verify eligibility for the test and requested certificate or rating. The documentation depends on the application basis. A passing AKTR alone does not settle that review.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 6
Use the 8610-2 experience and military guide for the application path and signature stages. Tell the examiner whether you are applying through school graduation, civil or military experience, or an authorized §65.80 route.
How should you schedule the O&P?
Order 8900.1 requires a pretest interview. Its subjects include testing procedures, projects, equipment, schedule, and what happens if testing is passed, failed, or not completed. The order also says the designee should clearly communicate fees before testing, including any retest fees.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 5
For a practical next step, use the find-a-DME guide to locate an examiner and confirm coverage, location, dates, and the document set for your route. Read our DME exam cost guide, then agree on the fees with your examiner before testing.
What should you practice while the appointment is being arranged?
Keep oral and practical rehearsal distinct. Oral answers are given without reference material; current Order 8900.1 lets you use the reference materials the examiner provides for both the practical skill and its associated questions, and prohibits other reference materials. The practical also calls for a satisfactory task result, not just a spoken explanation.
FAA-S-ACS-1, p. A-1 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 13 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 16
For our suggested study routine, rehearse spoken answers, review the gaps against the source, and reserve supervised time for practical work. Start with the practical-project guide and the four-week preparation plan. If you are still in school and considering early O&P testing, use the separate §65.80 route guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book the O&P and ignore an AKTR that expires before I finish?
No. The FAA's ACS Companion Guide says that if an AKTR expires before the practical test is completed, you must retake and pass that test and present the new AKTR to start or continue the practical test. Confirm the narrow §65.75(d) relief for expired reports with the examiner before you rely on it.
FAA ACS Companion Guide, p. 19 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 8 · 14 CFR § 65.75
Does passing the writtens complete the 8610-2 eligibility review?
No. The examiner still reviews the application and verifies eligibility for the requested test and certificate or rating before testing.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 6
Should I keep the original knowledge test reports?
Yes. Bring the original of every AKTR to the O&P: the ACS Companion Guide says you present the original AKTR to the evaluator before the practical test.
FAA ACS Companion Guide, p. 19
Why should I plan practical work as well as oral rehearsal?
Because the practical requires a project result that meets its performance standard, alongside associated questions. Spoken rehearsal alone does not demonstrate that result.
Rehearse the spoken answer with DMEReady
DMEReady is an AI voice examiner for the A&P oral in your phone or computer browser. You answer out loud, and it asks follow-up questions the way a DME would. An oral can also be built from the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). It rehearses the oral; it does not train hands-on practical skills. After a session, the report shows what you covered, what you missed, what a complete answer includes, and where to read in the FAA handbooks. You can save it as a PDF study sheet or share a result image that never shows your answers or name. The first drill is free, with no sign-up. DMEReady is an AI examiner, not a human DME. It is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA; it does not predict or guarantee results.
Start your free drillOral coming up soon? Try the full thing free for 30 days
We are running a small pilot before launch. If your oral and practical is in the next few weeks, you get every section of the voice mock oral free for 30 days, no card. In return, tell us honestly what helped and what didn’t.
Start the free pilotLimited spots. The pilot closes on November 30.
Passed a written? Get your oral study plan by email
Paste the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). We’ll email you a study plan now, then two short tasks built from your codes: one on day 3, one on day 7. That’s all.
Related guides
Sources
FAA sources checked October 18, 2026.
- FAA-G-ACS-1, Companion Guide to the Mechanic ACS (with Changes 1 & 2)
- 14 CFR part 65, eCFR current through October 15, 2026
- FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11 (CHG 929)
- 14 CFR § 61.40
- FAA-S-ACS-1
About this guide: drafted with AI from the FAA sources listed on this page and checked claim by claim against them. Not reviewed by an A&P mechanic or DME. How we make our guides
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