A&P General Oral Questions: The Complete Breakdown

October 8, 2026 · Based on FAA-S-ACS-1, the FAA's Mechanic Test Generator FAQ, and FAA-H-8083-30B · Updated October 18, 2026

A&P General oral questions come from the 12 General subjects of the FAA's Aviation Mechanic ACS, from basic electricity and aircraft drawings to regulations and human factors. Every applicant gets at least 4 random General questions, plus one more for each General ACS code missed on the knowledge test, up to 22. Below are 11 sample questions with short answers and the FAA handbook chapter to study for each.

What the General oral covers

The General oral covers Section I of FAA-S-ACS-1, which has 12 subjects lettered A through L. Each question carries an ACS code such as AM.I.G.K12, where I is General and G is the subject.

The ACS says an applicant is not permitted to know ahead of time which selections from each subject will be on the test. Prepare for all 12.

How many General oral questions will you get?

You will get between 4 and 22 General oral questions. The number depends on your General knowledge test report (AKTR), according to the FAA's Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) FAQ:

• Minimum 4. Even with 100 percent on the written, the MTG adds 4 random General questions.
• One per missed ACS code. Each different code on your AKTR adds one question. Several misses under the same code add only one.
• Maximum 22. An applicant who passed the written with 70 percent could get the full 22. General has a lower maximum than Airframe and Powerplant, which go up to 34 each.

Every question on the DME's test planning sheet must be asked, and the DME does not pick and choose. You answer out loud with no reference material. The 70 percent passing standard applies to the General oral as a whole, not subject by subject. The FAA's FAQ gives a plain example: an applicant can miss all the questions in a subject such as electricity and still pass. If you fail the General oral as a whole, though, the MTG FAQ says you retake the entire General oral. FAA Order 8900.1 words the retest differently (the ACS codes marked failed or not tested), so ask your DME which applies.

To read the codes on your own report, see A&P ACS codes: know your codes before the oral. For the full picture of test day, see the A&P oral and practical exam guide.

Sample A&P General oral questions by subject

These 11 practice General oral questions cover 11 of the 12 subjects. They come from DMEReady's question pool, which is written from FAA handbooks and tagged with ACS codes. They are not copied from the FAA's test generator. The FAA's own published sample test shows the style:

AM.I.C.K2: The weight and balance system commonly employed among aircraft consists of three equally important elements. What are they?

AM.I.K.K4: Irregular and haphazard inspections invariably result in what?

From the FAA sample oral and practical test, Section I (General).

Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics (AM.I.A.R2)

What's the facility rule for storing and servicing lead-acid and NiCd batteries?

Keep separate facilities for flooded lead-acid and NiCd batteries. Acid electrolyte getting into a vented NiCd destroys it, and storing or servicing both in one area is extremely dangerous; sealed batteries can be charged and capacity-checked in the same area. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 9

More aircraft electricity practice questions

Aircraft Drawings (AM.I.B.K4)

A print dimension carries a plus and a minus figure. What do they tell you about the part?

The plus figure is the maximum and the minus figure the minimum allowable variation, and their sum is the tolerance. For 0.225 +0.0025 −0.0005, the tolerance is 0.0030. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 4

More aircraft drawings practice questions

Weight and Balance (AM.I.C.K8)

What does the empty weight of an aircraft include?

All operating equipment with a fixed location that is actually installed: airframe, powerplant, required and optional equipment, fixed ballast, hydraulic fluid, and residual fuel and oil. For most aircraft certified after 1978 it also includes full engine oil; the Aircraft Specifications or TCDS say what is included. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 6

More weight and balance practice questions

Fluid Lines and Fittings (AM.I.D.K2)

How are fluid lines identified on an aircraft?

With markers of color codes, words, and geometric symbols that show the line's function, contents, and primary hazard, usually on 1-inch tape or decals. In engine compartments, paint is used where tape, decals, or tags could be drawn into the engine induction system. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 9

More fluid lines and fittings practice questions

Aircraft Materials, Hardware, and Processes (AM.I.E.K5)

How do you safety a castellated nut with a cotter pin?

The pin should fit the hole with very little side play. The prong bent over the bolt end must not extend past the bolt diameter, the prong bent down must not rest on the washer, and prongs are bent over a reasonable radius, best by tapping lightly with a mallet, since sharp bends invite breakage. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 7

More aircraft hardware and materials practice questions

Ground Operations and Servicing (AM.I.F.K16)

How do you control foreign object damage in a maintenance operation?

Keep ramp and work areas clean, run a tool control program, and provide handy receptacles for used hardware, shop towels, and other consumables. Never leave tools or other items around the intake of a turbine engine. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 1

More ground operations and servicing practice questions

Cleaning and Corrosion Control (AM.I.G.K12)

How does dissimilar-metals corrosion occur, and how do you protect against it?

Different bare metals in contact set up electrolytic action when moisture is present, faster with salt water, and one or both metals oxidize. You separate them with metal primer, aluminum tape, washers, grease, or sealant, depending on the metals. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 8

More corrosion control practice questions

Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications (AM.I.I.K2)

What recent experience must a mechanic have to keep exercising the A&P certificate?

You must have worked as a mechanic for at least 6 of the preceding 24 months. That can be working under your certificate, technically supervising other mechanics, or supervising maintenance or alteration in an executive capacity. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 13

More on maintenance records

More on mechanic privileges and limitations

Physics for Aviation (AM.I.J.K4)

What does a gauge pressure reading such as psig actually refer to?

Pressure over and above ambient. That is why an oil, fuel, or hydraulic pressure gauge reads zero when the pump is not turning. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 5

More physics for aviation practice questions

Inspection Concepts and Techniques (AM.I.K.K2)

How do you make sure a torque wrench is still accurate before you trust it?

It must be calibrated at regular intervals, often six or twelve months depending on the tool. Inspect it before each use, and if you find a bent pointer, cracked dial glass, or signs of rough handling, have it tested. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 11

More inspection concepts practice questions

Human Factors (AM.I.L.K10)

What can happen to a technician's repetitive inspection work as complacency develops?

An item that has never shown a fault may get skipped on the false belief that it does not matter, and a rare missed fault could cause an incident or accident. Routine work also lets the mind wander, so a required step may not get done. FAA-H-8083-30B, ch. 14

More human factors practice questions

How to answer A&P General oral questions out loud

A clear spoken answer has three parts: say the answer, explain why, then name the safety or inspection point. Take the battery question:

1. State the answer. "Lead-acid and NiCd batteries are stored and serviced in separate areas."
2. Explain why. "Acid electrolyte getting into a NiCd's alkaline electrolyte permanently damages the battery."
3. Add the safety angle. "Mixing them in one area is extremely dangerous. The exception is sealed batteries, which can be charged and capacity-checked together."

Habits that help on the General oral:

• Lead with the answer. The FAA sample General questions are short and direct. Say the key point first, then add detail.
• Keep it short and complete. The ACS tells examiners that extra detail in parentheses in the answer key is not expected to be recited. Cover the main point and stop.
• Talk through math and weight and balance. When a question involves a calculation, say each step out loud so the examiner can follow your method.
• Do not invent. If you are unsure of a figure, say what you do know and where you would look it up. A guessed number can undo an otherwise good answer.

For more, see what a DME asks and how to pass the A&P oral. The other sections have their own guides: Airframe oral questions and Powerplant oral questions.

Sources

• FAA, FAA-S-ACS-1, Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, Section I (General) and Appendix 1.
• FAA, Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (updated 5/22/2023), Oral-related questions and 14 CFR 65.80.
• FAA, Sample Test, Oral and Practical, Section I.
• FAA, FAA-H-8083-30B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook: General, chapters 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, and 14.
• FAA, FAA-H-8083-31B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook: Airframe, chapter 9 (batteries).

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