A&P Practical Retest: Failed and Not-Tested Projects
The May 22, 2023 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) FAQ describes a practical retest covering failed projects and projects not previously tested. The September 17, 2024 FAA Order 8900.1 also names failed or not-tested Airman Certification Standards (ACS) codes for practical projects and questions, so confirm the project-by-project scope with your designated mechanic examiner (DME) before an airframe and powerplant (A&P) oral and practical (O&P) retest.
Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — printed unnumbered, PDF 4; Practical-related Questions · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 20, PDF 20; 5-5-11-7E2)
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Why do project results matter on an O&P retest?
A practical project contains a skill element and two practical questions. A project is graded pass/fail, and failing any portion fails the project. To pass a project, the Order says the applicant must successfully accomplish the skill demonstration on the first attempt and successfully answer the two associated practical questions.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)c) · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)f)
Once a project begins, the examiner must test the entire project and record the results. If it becomes obvious during a project that you have already failed a task, Order 8900.1 says the examiner may tell you the skill element is failed but must still have you complete the project by answering both practical questions.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)c) · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 18, PDF 18; 5-5-11-7E1)a)
Read both FAA descriptions before making a retest list
The MTG FAQ adds that the applicant will not have to retest on projects previously passed. Order 8900.1 describes ACS codes for oral questions, practical projects, or practical questions marked failed on the previous test. The same paragraph includes the corresponding previous-test ACS codes marked not tested. For a failed oral, the MTG FAQ instead describes retaking the entire oral test, such as General. The two documents do not use the same unit: the FAQ speaks of whole projects, while the Order also lists practical questions and ACS codes. Our advice: do not assume from one failed question that only that question will be repeated.
Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — printed unnumbered, PDF 4; Practical-related and Oral-related Questions · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 20, PDF 20; 5-5-11-7E2)
What records distinguish failed from not tested?
The test planning sheet records practical projects as pass, fail, or not tested. Within each project, the skill element and practical questions receive pass/fail results. Order 8900.1 also says you must present your copy of FAA Form 8610-2, showing the failed ACS codes, to the examiner before a retest. Before conducting the retest, the Order says the examiner must review your Form 8610-2 showing the failed ACS codes to ensure you will be administered the appropriate retest.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)c)1 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)c)2 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 28, PDF 28; 5-5-11-9D2) · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 20, PDF 20; 5-5-11-7E2)a)
Our advice: reconcile the records with the examiner
Make a study table with separate columns for project result, failed element or question, and items not tested. Use your actual annotated paperwork; do not reconstruct results from memory. Ask which projects must be demonstrated again, which associated questions will be included, and how the examiner is applying the current guidance to your record. Review the complete affected project in supervised practice even if the error was in a question. Order 8900.1 says applicable reference material may be used for both the skill element and the practical questions, but using reference material the examiner did not provide is prohibited. The Order also says examiners are not permitted to combine practical projects.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)c) · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)e) · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 13, PDF 13; 5-5-11-7B3)a)
The ACS warns that disregard for safety is not tolerated and will result in failure. Our advice: check retest timing and the documents to bring in our retest guide, then confirm them with your examiner.
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-3, PDF 67; Appendix 2
Practice the spoken part
DMEReady is an artificial intelligence (AI) voice examiner for the A&P oral, not a human designated mechanic examiner (DME), a written-test question bank, or hands-on practical training. You answer out loud in your phone or computer browser; the first drill is free with no sign-up, and the session report identifies what you covered, what you missed, what a complete answer includes, and where to read in the FAA handbooks. DMEReady is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA.
Frequently asked questions
Can one incorrect practical question fail a project?
Yes, the Order grades the complete project pass/fail; the skill and both practical questions must be completed successfully.
Does “not tested” mean the project was passed?
No, not tested is a separate project result on the planning sheet. The Order includes not-tested codes in its retest instructions.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)c)1 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 20, PDF 20; 5-5-11-7E2)
Can I use references on the O&P practical retest?
Yes, but only reference material the examiner provides. Order 8900.1 allows it for both the skill element and the practical questions; the MTG FAQ says reference material is not allowed during the oral.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 16, PDF 16; 5-5-11-7C3)c) · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024) — printed 13, PDF 13; 5-5-11-7B3)a) · Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — printed unnumbered, PDF 4; Oral-related Questions
Does a failed practical question guarantee a question-only retest?
No. The MTG FAQ describes retesting failed and not-tested projects, while Order 8900.1 lists failed or not-tested ACS codes that can include practical questions; confirm your retest scope with your examiner.
Oral 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
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Primary sources
- FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021)
- Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023)
- FAA Order 8900.1, Vol.5 Ch.5 Sec.11, CHG 929 (September 17, 2024)
Before the oral
Under the FAA Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) FAQ, each distinct missed code among the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) adds one oral question, plus at least four randomly generated questions per applicable section. Several missed written questions under one code add only one additional oral question. Our advice: explain the topic with the source closed, then reopen the exact page to check the conditions and cautions you left out.
Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — printed unnumbered, PDF 3; Oral-related Questions · Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — printed unnumbered, PDF 4; Oral-related Questions
Practice 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
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