Passing the ADX Written Exam
The FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) written exam is virtually identical to the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) written exam. It is a grueling, 80-question test pulled from a bank of over 1,000 questions covering advanced meteorology, high-altitude aerodynamics, and Part 121 regulations.
Exam Breakdown
| Category | Percentage | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Regulations (Part 121) | ~25% | High (Rote Memorization) |
| Meteorology & Weather Services | ~30% | Very High |
| Performance & Weight/Balance | ~25% | Moderate (Math Heavy) |
| Aerodynamics & Aircraft Systems | ~20% | Moderate |
Common Mistakes
- Trying to understand the underlying aerodynamics for every trick question instead of rote-memorizing the FAA's specific answer key.
- Waiting until dispatch school starts to study. (You should pass the ADX *before* day one).
- Using outdated test prep software. The FAA constantly updates the ATP/ADX question bank.
Study Tools
- Sheppard Air: The undisputed gold standard. Follow their study strategy exactly as written.
- Gleim: Good for foundational understanding, but less efficient than Sheppard for pure test prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score?
70%. However, scoring in the 90s makes your subsequent oral exam significantly easier, as the examiner will drill you on the categories you missed.
How long is the exam?
You are given 3 hours to complete the 80 questions.