FAA Exam Software

[Lindberg]

Show of hands who got their PPL in a 172?

An Archer III?

Yeah, it's just not relevant. the written test is a joke. i got a 95 and I never used that chart.

regurgitating the answers FTW!

Are you saying that how to read performance charts that don't exist in a 172 is irrelevant to PPL candidates because some train in 172s? Even if all PPLs trained in 172s, they're not limited to 172s once they have a certificate.

 

[Bob Noel]

Show of hands who got their PPL in a 172?

An Archer III?

Yeah, it's just not relevant. the written test is a joke. i got a 95 and I never used that chart.

regurgitating the answers FTW!

172, yup

The Archer III didn't come out until after I got my instrument rating. yup, I'm kind of old.

 

[M20K]

But the pool of questions is limited.

I believe they may be increasing the number of questions they can rotate through. But even if that is true, I agree it will still be a finite number of questions.

The difference will be if you're trying to memorize the current test, based on people that are constantly taking it and updating the "memory" book for you, that will change. My guess it would be easier for most to learn the material than memorize 4 or 5 times as many answers as before. And from what I've experienced with AI and Aviation, we're not there yet. But down the road, AI could constantly be expanding the number of questions. You could even go into a test saying you flew an Archer and all your performance questions would be based on an Archer.

 

[midlifeflyer]

The difference will be if you're trying to memorize the current test, based on people that are constantly taking it and updating the "memory" book for you, that will change.

I think it has changed. And despite all the hand-wringing about memorizing Q&A, I have a feeling that most people taking the test are using prep for the other reasons I mentioned.

Personally, I did a weekend with Aviation Seminars for my private, instrument, and commercial. I saw the "memorizers," most of whom were worried about passing. I think the memorization thing is a bit over-stated. I see a much bigger learning/retention issue with the current fad of getting the knowledge test out of the way before beginning flight training.

 

[flyingron]

The difference will be if you're trying to memorize the current test, based on people that are constantly taking it and updating the "memory" book for you, that will change. My guess it would be easier for most to learn the material than memorize 4 or 5 times as many answers as before.

If the test was well constructed and relevent, memorizing the answers would be called LEARNING THE MATERIAL.

 

[M20K]

Personally, I did a weekend with Aviation Seminars for my private, instrument, and commercial.

You did Private, Instrument and Commercial in one weekend? If so, you're telling me it's not all about memorization???? Whether you realized it or not, think again. And even if each one was a weekend, you were still in a memorize course if you took the test the end of the second day... unless you are one of those people that can read, comprehend and store the knowledge in one pass. But the VAST majority of people don't lean that way. Even if they only read it once, it takes a bit for the mind to fully process and store the information for LONG TERM.

Back in the day I had one of those books that told me all the answers too. But back then you went to multiple weeks of Ground School just for the Private. And we were all then told to get the whatever Private review guide, but it wasn't presented that this book has the actual questions, so memorize it. But that we should solve these questions and we'd be fine for the test. So we all solved them with what we had learned in Ground School.

 

[billsgs126]

If the test was well constructed and relevent, memorizing the answers would be called LEARNING THE MATERIAL.

“All questions used on Whad'ya Know? have been painstakingly researched, although the answers have not. Ambiguous, misleading, or poorly worded questions are par for the course. Listeners who are sticklers for the truth should get their own shows.” (Michael Feldman)

 

[midlifeflyer]

You did Private, Instrument and Commercial in one weekend? I

No. Don't be silly.

And even if each one was a weekend, you were still in a memorize course if you took the test the end of the second day... unless you are one of those people that can read, comprehend and store the knowledge in one pass.

No photographic memory here. I basically suck at memorization. Always have. Learning style is more conceptual.

You seem to make a lot of confirmation bias type assumptions about this subject. If you didn't, you might have gotten a clue from my last sentence. But I'll help. Most of my ground was one-on-one and independent self study associated with my flight lessons. As one might guess, reading, understanding, applying, and correlating rules and regulations is a bit of an occupational hazard for me.

One day, my CFI turned to me and said, "You are about ready for the checkride. Don't you think it's about time you took the written?" Figured the most efficient way was the weekend course. An easy way to get 'er done. I spent most of the time mouthing the answers before the instructor did.

 

[MauleSkinner]

If the test was well constructed and relevent, memorizing the answers would be called LEARNING a very limited amount of THE MATERIAL.

FIFY.

 

[EdFred]

Just took a couple "Wings" modules with a test at the end. Got them all right except for the "which is not the correct answer" questions.
Why? Just why?

I once argued (successfully) with a professor about the "which is not correct" answers.

Question X:
[Statement A] (true)
[Statement B] (false)
[Statement C] (true)
[Statement D] (false)

Which of the following is false:
There were five choices like:

B is false
A and C are true
B and D are true
C is true
B and D are false

Well, I selected the answer that said D and B are true, which is a false statement, and got it wrong. What the prof wanted was the last answer. However, I argued that the statement itself was true and the question asked which choices are false statements, and they were all true except the one I chose. They never had any more of the which of the following are false questions the rest of the year. Rephrased them to, "which is the best answer?"

I still hate the which is not correct questions, because of the ambiguity.