The direct answer
15–20 focused hours is the realistic budget
The Part 107 knowledge test is 60 questions in 2 hours, pass mark 70%, taken at a PSI testing center for the FAA's $175 fee. Most people without an aviation background are ready after 15–20 focused hours. You do not need to buy a course — you need a sequence, repetition on charts, and at least two full timed practice exams before you book.
Where the points are
The five study modules map 1:1 to the exam's ACS domains. Budget your hours where the questions are:
The 7-day sprint
2–3 hours a day. Aggressive but common — this is the “my test is booked for next week” schedule.
Day 1
Regulations I
- Read the Regulations module top to bottom
- Drill its flashcards until the operating limits are automatic
Day 2
Regulations II + Operations
- Retake the Regulations mini-quiz cold
- Read the Operations & ADM module — together these are ~60% of the exam
Day 3
Airspace & charts I
- Read the Airspace & Charts module
- Work the FAA chart lab with a real sectional
Day 4
Airspace & charts II
- Airspace cheat sheet review, then the module mini-quiz
- Podcast episode on the commute for reinforcement
Day 5
Weather + loading
- Read the Weather module (METAR/TAF decoding gets its own hour)
- Read Loading & Performance — shortest module, easy points
Day 6
First full practice exam
- Take the full 60-question timed practice exam
- Review every miss, then drill the weakest domain's flashcards
Day 7
Second exam + cram
- Fresh practice-exam set in the morning
- Print the cram sheet, review before bed — book the real test for tomorrow
The 14-day steady plan
About 90 minutes a day, same scope, more retention. Pair every reading day with the matching podcast episode on a commute or workout.
| Days 1–3 | Regulations | One read-through, then flashcards daily. Finish with the mini-quiz at 90%+ before moving on. |
|---|---|---|
| Days 4–6 | Airspace & charts | Module read, chart lab twice, cheat sheet on your phone. This is the block that needs repetition, not cramming. |
| Days 7–8 | Weather | Module read plus decoding practice — a METAR a day keeps the retake away. |
| Days 9–10 | Loading, performance & operations | Two shorter modules. Operations & ADM overlaps heavily with regulations — treat it as a refresher with new vocabulary. |
| Days 11–14 | Practice exam loop | One timed 60-question set per day. Review every miss, drill that domain's flashcards, repeat. Two consecutive passes above 85% and you're ready to book. |
Full practice exam
Timed 60-question simulator with domain scoring and explanations.
Study podcast
One episode per exam domain, built to pair with the modules.
Printable cram sheet
The highest-yield numbers and rules on one printable page.
Common questions
How long does it take to study for Part 107?
Most people without an aviation background need roughly 15-20 focused hours. Spread over two weeks that's about 90 minutes a day; compressed into one week it's a 2-3 hour daily commitment. The exam itself is 60 questions in 2 hours, and you need 70% to pass.
Can I really pass Part 107 without a paid course?
Yes. Everything on the exam is public knowledge: 14 CFR Part 107, the FAA's Airman Certification Standards, sectional charts, and aviation weather. This plan sequences all of it with free modules, flashcards, a podcast, and a full practice exam. Paid courses buy you structured video and a pass guarantee, not secret material.
What should I study most for the Part 107 exam?
Regulations and Operations together are roughly 60% of the exam and are mostly memorizable rules and numbers. Airspace and sectional-chart reading is the next biggest block and takes the most practice. Weather, loading, and performance round out the rest.
What's the hardest part of the Part 107 test?
Almost everyone says the same thing: reading sectional charts and decoding METARs/TAFs under time pressure. That's why both plans put airspace and charts in the middle of the schedule with the chart lab, and why the final days are all practice-exam repetitions.
How do I schedule the actual exam?
Book the 'Unmanned Aircraft General - Small (UAG)' test at a PSI testing center (faa.psiexams.com). The FAA exam fee is $175. Bring a government-issued photo ID; you'll get your result the same day.
What happens after I pass?
Apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA's IACRA system using your exam ID, fly with your temporary certificate once it's issued, and keep current with the free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.
If you want structure and a guarantee instead
This plan is genuinely enough for most people. A paid course makes sense if you learn better from video, want instructor support, or want a money-back pass guarantee that de-risks the $175 exam fee — our honest course rankings cover the three worth considering.
Current as of July 2026. Educational, not legal advice — exam scope follows the FAA Airman Certification Standards; verify test details with the FAA and PSI before booking.