Read below to learn more about the differences between mock and real exams and the importance of picking the right flight school for theoretical and practical training.
Aviation training is more than just about flying aircraft and proving your skills inside the cockpit. A pilot needs to train for both theoretical and practical knowledge to become capable and worthy in the eyes of the Civil Aviation Authority. Theoretical knowledge forms the foundation for the fundamentals of flight and plays a significant role in helping the pilot strengthen their practical skills as well.
To test theoretical knowledge, the CAA uses a series of written exams that are designed to gauge the knowledge and mental aptitude of pilots. These exams are based on up to 13 different subjects, each of which the candidate must learn to secure a passing mark.
If you are struggling with aviation theory and want to excel in them then your best bet would be to begin with mock papers.
Mock exams, much like in regular academia, are designed to recreate the test structure of real-world aviation exams. By practising through mock exams, pilots can significantly boost their understanding of what they should expect in any aviation exam and increase their chances of succeeding.
Read below to learn more about the differences between mock and real exams and the importance of picking the right flight school for theoretical and practical training.
WHY MOCK EXAMS ARE IMPORTANT
Mock exams are designed to help reveal areas of improvement for students. These exams follow the same structure as real exams but are based on questions from previous years. A benefit of these exams is that they combine challenging questions from various years and provide them in one place. This way, pilots can gauge their preparation and ascertain areas that they need to focus on more.
You will need to cover up to 13 subjects depending on your pilot programme. You will also have to train on a specific category of mock exams. For example, private pilots will need to practice using PPL mock exams while commercial pilot candidates will need to practice their skills using the CPL mock exams. While both pilot programmes have overlapping subjects, a PPL is relatively more relaxed than a CPL exam which is designed to test pilots on in-depth topics.
An advantage of mock exams is that they can help nervous pilots get accustomed to challenging questions and help them take the exam in an almost identical testing environment. This is especially true if you enrol in a CAA-affiliated flight school like Sherburn Aero Club.
Mock Exams vs Real Exams: What to Expect
Both mock and real exams serve different purposes but are closely linked in terms of preparation and expectations. As mentioned above, mock exams are designed to provide candidates with a similar testing environment and challenging questions. The only variable in real exams is the questions themselves since they are specifically changed each time to gauge the understanding of pilots.
Here’s what you need to know about the differences and what to expect in both exams:
Mock Exams
Mocks are practice exams designed to simulate real exam conditions. They are crucial in highlighting a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses in preparation. They are also extremely beneficial for getting candidates used to time constraints.
Mock exams are graded by your flight schoolteachers instead of CAA personnel. The grading for these exams can either be harsher, to promote a competitive or demanding environment or lenient if the exam is particularly designed to be extra difficult.
The key here is that mock exams while mimicking real-world exam conditions, don’t provide the same level of pressure as real exams. Candidates know that their passing or failing will have no immediate outcome on their licence so even if they don’t prepare well, they can take the exam. However, all candidates must take preparation and mock exams seriously since these exams provide an overview of the candidate's general preparedness for the real exams.
Furthermore, mocks are based on past papers, so instructors can tailor a particularly difficult exam to test candidates but even then, mock exams will not be able to fully match the difficulty level of the real exam since that can be either difficult or easy based on various factors. For competitive schools, hard mock exams are the best strategy because they train students to always prepare for the worst and be extra vigilant.
Real Exams
The real-world exams in aviation are conducted by the CAA and are designed to test the knowledge of candidates. These exams are designed by official CAA members and are carefully structured to test the candidate's aptitude.
Unlike mock exams, these exams are graded under strict CAA outlines and carefully marked by specially appointed CAA personnel. The key here is to understand that the cutoff for these exams is based on the difficulty level of the exam with harder exams having a lower cutoff. However, there is no way to know the exact cutoff of any exam as the CAA keeps this a secret. This is to ensure that the candidates give it their all during the exam and perform to the best of their abilities.
In the UK, the minimum passing mark for aviation students, particularly for theoretical knowledge exams related to pilot licences like the Private Pilot Licence (PPL), is typically 75%. This general cutoff is designed to push candidates to learn as much as they can on each subject.
Another important factor regarding real exams is the higher pressure. While mock exams have relatively fewer stakes, real exams are designed to be the endgame for every candidate. These exams have higher stakes therefore higher pressure which can affect the performance of candidates. This is why many flight schools focus on mock exams since they can help pilots learn the time constraints and get accustomed to the pressure.
Real exams are impossible to predict since they don’t follow a pattern. Some questions can be repetitive, but it is impossible to know which questions will present themselves in the real exam. Some papers can have slight twists on past papers or others can be harder or easier than expected.
Of course, real exams have a huge impact as well. Unlike mock exams, there is no going “back to the drawing board” or getting do-overs! This is it! The final grade that you get from these exams is going to determine your prospects of becoming a pilot. Sure, retakes are possible here as well, but they take a lot of time, effort, and money. This is why pilots are advised to always give it their all when preparing for aviation exams and take mock exams extremely seriously.
MOCK EXAMS AS A TOOL
In a nutshell, mock exams must be looked at as a tool rather than a final judgement of ability. If you fail the mock exam, then this would indicate that you haven’t prepared to the level required for the real-world exam. This is good news though since it can help you push harder, become more serious, and prepare comprehensively!
Candidates must always expect stricter conditions, more pressure, and potentially a lot of challenging twists in real-world exams. While mocks do a very good job of mimicking real-world exams, there are still a lot of variables that these exams can’t capture. We recommend that students regularly take mock exams, opt for online exams, and focus on learning from mock mistakes and refining their exam techniques.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR MOCK EXAMS AND TRAINING
Here are four important steps in choosing the right flight school for your needs:
Check Reviews
The first step in finding the right flight school for ground and air training is to write down your expectations. List down your wish list and check which schools fulfil your expectations the most. Your expectations can be related to the fleet, amenities, faculty, and general experience of instructors. For the best experience, always check out online resources and forums to learn more about the particulars of flight schools so that you know exactly what to look for in a school near you.
PPL training is widespread and available in every flight school. However, CPL training and CPL mock exams will require you to broaden your search and look for comprehensive schools like Sherburn Aero Club. Please keep in mind that not every school is designed for commercial training since this type of licence requires additional facilities like simulation training, stricter medical requirements, and in-depth flight training courses.
Instructor Quality
The instructors make or break a flight school. Schools with excellent instructors but fewer amenities will always have the lead over big schools with fancy amenities but weak faculty. Always go for great instructors because they will be the ones guiding you and training you to become capable pilots.
Flight instructors with a variety of experiences will provide you with comprehensive training and will also be able to guide you on real-world exams. These instructors have enough experience to design challenging mock papers based on past papers and can seriously “up” your game in theoretical knowledge.
Comprehensive flight schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, usually offer highly trained instructors who excel in microlights, flex and fixed-wing light aircraft, and even twin-engine aircraft. The more diversity in instructors, the better you can expand your skills and train to become a highly capable pilot!
LICENCES AT FLIGHT SCHOOLS FOR PILOT TRAINING
Here is an overview of the types of licences found in flight schools and the difficulty level of their mock exams:
Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL)
Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL), allows pilots to fly certain types of light aircraft, including microlights. These licences are designed to be highly condensed and are the quickest route for people to get into the cockpit. Of course, there are considerable limitations to this licence, but if you just want to fly smaller aircraft for fun, then this is a great starting point. This licence has limited theory and air training and the mock exams for this licence are relatively easier.
Keep in mind that the LAPL is a general licence, so you cannot fly for commercial activities or apply for employment as a pilot with this certification.
Furthermore, LAPL holders cannot upgrade to Part-FCL, which allows UK licence holders to fly into European Union territory. As mentioned above, this licence may be the quickest way into the cockpit, but you will be seriously restricted in what you can and cannot do. Due to this reason, the LAPL is only valid within the borders of the United Kingdom. If you wish to fly elsewhere, you will need to upgrade to a PPL.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
The PPL is a general licence and one of the most sought-after licences for pilots who want to take aviation as a hobby. This licence offers diversity and enables pilots to upgrade to a more comprehensive licence later. Just like the LAPL, the PPL also requires a Class 2 medical certificate.
A PPL allows pilots to fly any type of light aircraft such as the Cessna Skyhawk or the Piper PA 28. However, for more complex aircraft like multi-engine aeroplanes, the PPL can be paired with additional training to fulfil the additional requirements for larger non-commercial aircraft.
PPL training is challenging and should be taken very seriously by all candidates. People who enrol in this programme need to prove that they have the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills to become a pilot. This is why this licence usually has tougher mock exams that are designed to highlight weaknesses and strengthen the candidate's overall preparation.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
If you want to secure a career in aviation and earn from your passion for flying then you should consider a CPL. This licence is specially designed to produce highly capable pilots that transport people and cargo. These pilots deal with high stakes which is why CPL candidates require serious training.
CPL and PPL candidates have several overlaps in subjects, but in the CPL programme, candidates go even deeper into each subject and prove their knowledge and skills. This is why CPL mock exams are extremely challenging. They are designed to test each subject in great detail and prepare students for the worst. However, the good news is that if you consistently ace CPL mock exams, there is a good chance that you will also easily be able to pass the real-world CPL exam.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran. The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on licencing procedures and pilot training at Sherburn.
Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash
