Drone Exam Study Guide 2026: How to Pass the Part 107 Test

So, you want to fly drones for money? That is a great goal. Whether you want to take photos for real estate, inspect roofs, or film weddings, you need a license. In the United States, this is called the Remote Pilot Certificate. To get it, you must pass the part 107 drone exam.

I know what you are thinking. Tests are scary. Nobody likes to sit in a testing center and answer tricky questions. I have been writing about this for years, and I have seen many people get nervous. But here is the good news: You can pass this test if you prepare the right way.

This guide will break down exactly what you need to know for the drone exam in 2026. We will keep it simple.

What is the Part 107 Exam?

Let’s start with the basics. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages the sky. They want to make sure you know the rules before you fly a commercial drone.

Here is what the test looks like:

Number of Questions: 60 multiple-choice questions.
Time Limit: 2 hours.
Passing Score: 70% (You need to get 42 questions right).
Cost: Around $175 per attempt.

Since it costs money to take the test, you do not want to fail. You want to pass on the first try.

The Big Topics You Must Know

The FAA does not just ask about how to move the joysticks. They ask about safety and laws. Here are the main areas you need to study:

Airspace and Sectional Charts: This is where most people struggle. You will look at a map called a “Sectional Chart.” It has circles and lines that tell you where planes fly. You must learn the difference between Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace.
Regulations: You need to know the rules. How high can you fly? (400 feet). Can you fly at night? (Yes, with anti-collision lights). Can you fly over people? (Only under specific rules).
Weather: You are a pilot now. You need to understand weather reports (METARs) and how wind or fog affects your drone.
Loading and Performance: This covers how heavy your drone is and how the battery acts in cold or hot weather.

Why Practice is Better Than Just Reading

Reading the rules is boring. It is also hard to remember everything just by reading a book. The best way to learn is by doing drone exam questions that look exactly like the real test.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the maps and weather codes, I can help. I have created a specific course that focuses on practice questions. It stops you from guessing and teaches you the logic behind every answer.

If you want a clear path to passing, check out my FAA UAS Part 107 Practice Questions 2026 course on Udemy. It is designed to get you ready fast.

Common Mistakes New Pilots Make

I have talked to hundreds of students. Most of them fail for the same reasons.

Let me tell you a quick story about a student named Mike.

Mike was excellent at flying his drone. He knew every button on the controller and could take amazing photos. When he studied, he read the text rules but skipped the maps (Sectional Charts) because they looked messy and confusing. He told himself, “I’ll just guess on the map questions.”

He went to take the exam. Question 15 asked him to find the “floor of Class E airspace” near a specific airport on the map. He panicked. He couldn’t read the map key. He guessed and moved on.

Mike finished with a score of 68%. You need 70% to pass. He failed by exactly one question. He had to wait two weeks and pay another $175 to try again.

Don’t be like Mike. You cannot skip the hard parts. Look at this table to see what to avoid.

Common Mistake	Why it Happens	How to Fix It
Misreading Maps	Sectional charts are confusing and look like a mess of lines.	Learn what the blue and magenta circles mean.
Ignoring Weather Codes	METAR reports look like secret codes (e.g., KORD 121856Z).	Learn to decode them. It is just a pattern.
Rushing the Test	Students read the question too fast and miss a key word like “NOT”.	Read every question twice.
Confusing AGL and MSL	AGL is Above Ground Level. MSL is Mean Sea Level.	Remember: Your drone limit is usually AGL.

How to Prepare: A Simple Plan

You do not need to study for months. If you focus, you can be ready in two weeks. Here is a simple plan for you:

Week 1: Read the free study guide provided by the FAA. Watch videos on YouTube about “Sectional Charts.” This is the visual part.
Week 2: This is the most important part. Take a faa drone exam practice test. Do not just memorize the answer. Understand why the answer is correct.
Day Before: Review the cheat sheets for weather and airspace. Get a good night’s sleep.

Why You Need Realistic Practice Questions

The FAA uses tricky wording. They might ask a question where two answers look right, but one is “more” right. If you have not seen these styles of questions before, you might panic during the real exam.

Using a high-quality question bank helps you spot these tricks.

Ready to Pass?

You do not have to guess. You can walk into the testing center with confidence. I have built a resource that helps you test your knowledge before you pay the $175 exam fee.

My course offers updated questions for the 2026 exam cycle. It covers the tough airspace questions and the new rules about flying over people.

Get the practical help you need here:

My Website: GetCertPrep.com Course Page

Udemy Course: FAA UAS Part 107 Practice Questions 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the part 107 drone exam hard? It can be tricky if you do not study. The math is easy, but the airspace maps are technical. If you use good study materials, it becomes much easier.

2. How long is the license valid? The certificate is valid for 2 years. After that, you need to take a free online refresher training to keep it current.

3. Can I bring notes to the exam? No. You cannot bring your own notes. However, the testing center will give you a book called the “Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement.” It has all the maps and charts you need.

4. What happens if I fail? If you fail, you must wait 14 days before you can take it again. You also have to pay the testing fee again. This is why using a faa drone exam practice test is so important.

5. Do I need to know how to fly a drone to pass? Actually, no. The test is written. It tests your knowledge of the rules, not your stick skills. But please, learn to fly safely before you start a job!

Good luck with your studies. If you put in the work and practice the questions, you will be a certified commercial pilot very soon. See you in the skies!