Materiales de formación para mecánicos de aeronaves

A&P and AMT test prep: General, Airframe, and Powerplant

Earning the FAA aviation maintenance technician (AMT) certificate, often called the A&P, means passing three separate knowledge tests: General, Airframe, and Powerplant. Each exam covers distinct material, and together they form one of aviation's most demanding written-test sequences. Candidates who sit underprepared face a low pass rate and a mandatory wait before they can retest, so the proven approach is to study one area at a time and pair a printed test guide with an online question bank. Pilot Mall carries current ASA test guides and bundles along with Gleim online courses for the General, Airframe, and Powerplant exams, plus the Gleim FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) course for mechanics moving up.

Compare A&P and AMT test prep at a glance

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Types of A&P test prep

General test prep (start here)

General is the foundation exam every A&P candidate takes first, covering basic electricity, physics, math, weight and balance, and the regulations common to all maintenance work. Begin with the ASA AMT General Test Guide, which explains the reasoning behind each correct answer, or work the full question bank online in the Gleim Online AMT General course.

Airframe test prep

The Airframe exam covers aircraft structures, sheet metal, assemblies, and the systems built into the airframe. The ASA AMT Airframe Test Prep book includes free practice tests, while the ASA Airframe Test Guide Plus bundle adds a download and online practice for candidates who want unlimited test runs. Prefer to study entirely online? The Gleim Online AMT Airframe course tracks your progress through the current FAA question bank.

Powerplant test prep

The Powerplant exam focuses on reciprocating and turbine engines and their related systems, from fuel and ignition to propellers. The ASA AMT Powerplant Test Guide handles engines and engine systems in book form, the ASA Powerplant Prep bundle packages book, download, and online practice together, and the Gleim Online AMT Powerplant course delivers the same material as a fully online program.

Inspection Authorization (IA) and on-the-job reference

Already certificated and moving up? The Gleim Online FAA IA course prepares experienced mechanics for the Inspection Authorization exam, and the ASA AC 43.13-1B/2B handbook is the standard reference for accepted methods, techniques, and practices in aircraft inspection, repair, and alteration once you are working the line.

Test prep brands at Pilot Mall

ASA

ASA is the long-standing reference publisher for aviation maintenance study, and its AMT test guides are a standard in maintenance schools and self-study programs. The guides explain why each answer is correct rather than relying on rote memorization, and the Airframe and Powerplant "Plus" editions pair the printed book with a download and online practice so you can drill the same question bank across formats.

Gleim

Gleim builds web-based AMT courses for the General, Airframe, and Powerplant exams, plus an online FAA Inspection Authorization course. These are online programs rather than books: they track your progress through the current FAA question banks and are a strong fit for candidates who prefer to study entirely on a screen and measure readiness before sitting the real test.

How to choose the right A&P test prep

• Start with General: it is the first exam in the sequence, so build your foundation there before tackling the Airframe or Powerplant material.
• Book or online: choose a printed ASA test guide if you study best on paper and like written explanations, or a Gleim online course if you prefer a progress-tracked question bank on the web. The ASA "Plus" bundles give you both.
• Pick your rating: study the Airframe track, the Powerplant track, or both, depending on whether you are pursuing the airframe rating, the powerplant rating, or the full A&P.
• Drill until you are consistent: a common benchmark is to score in the 90s on practice tests before scheduling the real exam, which leaves a comfortable margin above the 70 percent passing score.
• Plan past the written: after the knowledge tests comes an oral and practical exam, and certificated mechanics can later add the Inspection Authorization with the Gleim IA course.

Working the broader study path? See our flight training and ground school materials and the aviation books shelf. Pilots studying their aircraft from an ownership angle, without the full certificate, can use the aircraft maintenance and ownership training collection and the aircraft manuals (POH) library.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

• Aviation only: we sell pilot and mechanic gear and nothing else, so every study guide and course is chosen for the certificate you are after.
• Trusted for more than 25 years by student pilots, professional pilots, and aviation maintenance technicians.
• Current ASA and Gleim materials matched to the FAA written test banks, so you study from the right edition.
• Free U.S. shipping over $100 on qualifying orders.
• Expert guidance from a team that lives in aviation, available before and after your purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three A&P mechanic written tests?

The FAA aviation maintenance technician certificate requires passing three written knowledge tests: General, Airframe, and Powerplant. The General exam covers fundamentals shared by all maintenance work, Airframe covers aircraft structures and systems, and Powerplant covers engines and engine systems. Together they form the A&P certificate.

Do you have to take the General test first?

General is the foundation exam and is taken first because it covers the basic knowledge shared across all maintenance work. Most candidates pass General, then move on to the Airframe and Powerplant tests for the rating they want, which is why study guides are sequenced General, Airframe, Powerplant.

How long do you have to wait to retake an A&P test if you fail?

If you fail an FAA A&P knowledge test, you must wait 30 days before retesting, and you will need a new authorization to test again. That waiting period is the main reason candidates drill practice questions until they score consistently high before scheduling the real exam.

What is the difference between the Airframe and Powerplant tests?

The Airframe test covers the aircraft structure and its systems, including sheet metal, assemblies, fuel, hydraulics, and electrical. The Powerplant test covers reciprocating and turbine engines and their systems, such as ignition, fuel metering, and propellers. You can earn one rating or both for the full A&P.

Do you take an oral and practical exam after the written tests?

Yes. After passing the General, Airframe, and Powerplant written tests, candidates complete an oral and practical exam administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner. The examiner checks both knowledge and hands-on skill before the FAA issues the mechanic certificate with the airframe, powerplant, or combined A&P rating.

Is ASA or Gleim better for AMT test prep?

Both are trusted A&P prep publishers, so the choice comes down to format. ASA test guides are printed books that explain each correct answer, with optional book, download, and online "Plus" bundles. Gleim courses are fully online and track your progress through the current FAA question banks. Many candidates use both.