A&P Powerplant Written Test: What It Covers and How It Leads to the Oral

October 26, 2026 · Primary sources checked October 25, 2026

Test code AMP is the airframe and powerplant (A&P) Powerplant written test, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lists at 100 questions in its September 25, 2026 matrix, with 70 percent as the minimum passing score. You may take up to two hours to finish it. Passing AMP still leaves two tests: a rule in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 14 CFR 65.79, also requires an oral test and a practical test for the rating sought, the two parts of the oral and practical (O&P).

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT table, AMP row · Become a Mechanic Frequently Asked Questions (updated June 9, 2026) — How much time am I allowed to complete the Aviation Mechanic knowledge tests?; HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · 14 CFR 65.79 — §65.79; HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable

How AMP is scored and timed

The matrix entry for AMP pairs 100 questions with “2.0” in the allotted-time column and “70” in the passing-score column. Section 65.17(b) of 14 CFR fixes the minimum passing grade at 70 percent. The figure is a pass mark, not a statistic on how many applicants pass. If unscored validation questions appear (the matrix says any test may include them), they are outside the 100 listed questions, have no effect on your score, and fall inside the allotted time.

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT table, AMP row · 14 CFR 65.17 — §65.17(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 2, PDF 2; Validation Questions

What the 13 Powerplant subjects contain

Under 14 CFR 65.75(a), the AMP test includes the Powerplant knowledge subject areas of the Airman Certification Standards (ACS). FAA-S-ACS-1 lists 13 Powerplant subjects in Section III, A through M:

14 CFR 65.75 — §65.75(a); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed iv, PDF 4; Table of Contents, Section III

• A. Reciprocating Engines
• B. Turbine Engines
• C. Engine Inspection
• D. Engine Instrument Systems
• E. Engine Fire Protection Systems
• F. Engine Electrical Systems
• G. Engine Lubrication Systems
• H. Ignition and Starting Systems
• I. Engine Fuel and Fuel Metering Systems
• J. Reciprocating Engine Induction and Cooling Systems
• K. Turbine Engine Air Systems
• L. Engine Exhaust and Reverser Systems
• M. Propellers

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed iv, PDF 4; Table of Contents, Section III · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed v, PDF 5; Table of Contents, Section III

Subject titles tell you where to study, not which questions you will see or how many each subject will get.

Per the ACS, the knowledge testing phase evaluates the risk management (R) elements too, not only the knowledge (K) elements. Every Powerplant ACS code begins with AM.III and the subject letter: Subject A, Reciprocating Engines, for example, lists knowledge elements from AM.III.A.K1 (types of reciprocating engines) to AM.III.A.K10 (diesel engine operating principles/theory of operation).

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-2, PDF 66; Integrated ACS framework · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 44, PDF 49; Section III, Subject A, Knowledge

Three other Powerplant subjects, by element code:

• Turbine Engines (Subject B): bleed air systems (AM.III.B.K8) and auxiliary power units (AM.III.B.K10), with foreign object damage listed as a risk element (AM.III.B.R4).
• Engine Lubrication Systems (Subject G): wet-sump and dry-sump systems (AM.III.G.K3 and K4), chip detectors (AM.III.G.K5), and “excessive aircraft engine oil consumption” (AM.III.G.K7).
• Propellers (Subject M): “constant speed propeller and governor theory and operation” (AM.III.M.K4) and turbine engine propeller reverse/beta range operation (AM.III.M.K5).

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 45, PDF 50; Section III, Subject B · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 51, PDF 56; Section III, Subject G · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 59, PDF 64; Section III, Subject M

Before you book AMP

Normally, 14 CFR 65.75(b) requires you to pass each section of the written test before you apply for the oral and practical tests. On that ordinary route, FAA Order 8900.1 (Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 11, on administering mechanic oral and practical tests) lists what a Powerplant applicant must present: a knowledge test report for the General written and another for the Powerplant written. When Form 8610-2 is for a first mechanic certificate, with the Powerplant and Original Issuance boxes checked, the matrix lets it authorize the General (AMG) test as well; an Added Rating mark means AMG is not required. The Order also says an applicant who already holds a mechanic certificate with the alternate rating is not required to retake the General section of a knowledge or skill test. Match your initial-certificate or added-rating application to the test-center authorization, rather than assuming every applicant takes the same sequence.

14 CFR 65.75 — §65.75(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026) — printed 6, PDF 6; AMT table, Proctor Action · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 8, PDF 8; 5-5-11-5E3)f)1–2 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 10, PDF 10; 5-5-11-5E6)d)

Maintenance school students have one exception, 14 CFR 65.80, which lets a student in the final subjects of training take the O&P before passing each written section, once the certificated school shows the Administrator that the student has made satisfactory progress and is prepared. More on taking the O&P before the written

14 CFR 65.80 — §65.80; HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable

The other two written tests have their own guides: General (AMG), which also explains the early-General option for school students, and Airframe (AMA).

From score report to Powerplant oral

Under 14 CFR 65.75(b), you are sent a report of the written test. On the oral, the ACS has the evaluator retest every deficient knowledge area indicated by the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR).

14 CFR 65.75 — §65.75(b); HTML, printed/PDF pages not applicable · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-1, PDF 65; Evaluator Responsibilities

Knowledge test report fields, explained · Retaking a failed written test

Our advice: talk through engine systems before test day

Separate the Powerplant subject list into engines, supporting systems, inspection, and propellers as your own study organization. Our suggestions below are study habits, not FAA rules.

• When reviewing a fuel, ignition, lubrication, or cooling topic, explain the function in your own words before returning to multiple-choice practice.
• Write down the source location for an explanation you could not give clearly, then revisit that whole section.
• Do not turn a general study explanation into a guessed procedure, torque value, or operating limit for an unspecified engine.

See the ACS codes most missed on the A&P written tests

Where DMEReady fits

For the oral itself, DMEReady offers a voice examiner built on artificial intelligence (AI): you answer aloud in the browser on your phone or computer, and it presses you with follow-ups, much as a designated mechanic examiner (DME) does. Keep its limits in mind: it is AI rather than a human DME, it offers no written-test question bank, and it cannot teach hands-on practical skills. There is no sign-up for the first drill, which is free, and after a session its report lists the topics you covered and missed, the parts of a complete answer, and the FAA handbook pages worth reading. DMEReady is an independent study tool; the FAA has not endorsed it and has no affiliation with it.

Budgeting for testing? Our DME exam cost guide has the details.

Primary sources

• Become a Mechanic Frequently Asked Questions (updated June 9, 2026)
• 14 CFR 65.75
• 14 CFR 65.79
• FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (September 25, 2026)
• 14 CFR 65.80
• 14 CFR 65.17
• Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023)
• FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021)
• FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024)

Before the oral

The Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) builds the Powerplant oral from two parts: at least four randomly generated questions, plus one question for each distinct code missed on your report. A code counts once, however many of its written questions you missed. The MTG FAQs also say an applicant who passed the written test with 70% could get the maximum of 34 Powerplant oral questions. Per the ACS, you may not use any reference material to answer the oral questions. Use the time between the written and the oral to turn each missed Powerplant code into a spoken explanation, checked against its FAA source.

Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — unnumbered page, PDF 3; Oral-related Questions · Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — unnumbered page, PDF 4; Oral-related Questions · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-1, PDF 65; Applicant Responsibilities

Try explaining it out loud

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