20 TOP TIPS on how to PASS the ATPL exams with high scores

In this video I share 20 top tips to help you pass the ATPL exams on the first attempt and with great scores. The Airline Transport Pilot Licence exams are hard work but they are a necessary part of becoming a commercial pilot. I sat mine in 2020/21 and passed all 14 (there are now 13 as VFR and IFR comms have since been amalgamated). I managed an average score of 91% so although I'm not an instructor, as someone who's successfully been through it, I hope my tips will help ensure your success.

Timecodes:
00:28 - Who the hell is this guy?
01:51 - Tip 1 - Keep up with the class
02:40 - Tip 2 - Make good notes
03:18 - Tip 3 - Be organised
03:51 - Tip 4 - Use the question banks
04:26 - Tip 5 - Don't just rely on the banks
04:53 - Tip 6 - Complete the banks you're using
06:16 - Tip 7 - Highlight recurring problem areas
07:04 - Tip 8 - Don't lose sight of the end game
08:15 - Tip 9 - Ask for help!
09:42 - Tip 10 - The pre exam checklist
10:10 - Bonus Tip - Learning objectives

11:52 - Now for some exam specific tips...
12:05 - Exam Tip 1 - Make sure you're well rested
12:46 - Exam Tip 2 - Take a deep breath
13:13 - Exam Tip 3 - Mark problematic questions
14:10 - Exam Tip 4 - Check for basic errors
14:50 - Exam Tip 5 - Watch out for common traps
15:34 - Exam Tip 6 - Don't be pressured into leaving early
16:00 - Exam Tip 7 - Don't linger too long
16:43 - Exam Tip 8 - Work out how you might have done
17:44 - Exam Tip 9 - What's done is done - move on
18:28 - Exam Tip 10 - Make some notes on what came up
19:28 - Final thoughts

GOOD LUCK!

[antonioneophytou]

The new UK CAA exams are really challenging. I only know a few people in the whole of my training school who have managed to pass every exam first time by the end. Instructors cannot prepare us adequately and there are little bank questions so far. I’m guessing airlines will have to adjust their criteria as having a few fails and a lower average really is the new normal. Anyone taking these new exams please prepare enough, as they are catching out even the brightest of us. You really need to know your stuff and cannot rely on banks, also most calculation questions in the exam are now ‘type ins’ (no multiple choice). Edit: I have now come to the end of ground school, you can all do it just put in the hardest work!!

[Dru]

well done chap i watched you for a while and you deserve all you have achieved be proud as you really have been working hard

[flyingturnip]

Thanks Rory, I'm hoping to start my PPL (again) in the new year with the intent of commencing ATPL's as soon as I can. I'm older than most (34) who start this journey but it's long been my dream and I'm hoping commitment and determination will be enough to see me through it!

[JoeRichardson]

Great timing Rory, got my Mod 2 exams this week, thanks!

[BenAtkinsonVideos]

Tonnes on info in this video for any budding commercial aviators - Bangin video

[sebastianfuentesguimet]

Great video and very useful information, greetings from Peru🇵🇪

[leftdownwind]

Must feel great saying "I'm a commercial helicopter pilot" after all the hard work and years of wanting it, nice work and great video as always!

[adminsparkes]

Well done RORY, great tips. Let me add a different slant to passing the ATPL exams. If you can’t study and pass the exams, then you’re never going to be able to achieve success when doing technical conversions onto different aircraft types as your career progresses.

Good luck and keep focusing on the end goal to get you through.

To me, passing the ATPL exams offers good basic aviation knowledge, but the 1 year timing limit, the volume and complexity within the subjects, is there to ensure you’ve got what it takes to make it as a pilot commercially. It takes a certain person to be both dedicated, and intellectually capable enough, to pass them at the required standard, this way it removes those that aren’t suitable.

Rory did an integrated course, I would say get the exams done if you’re working and short of cash, this way you can learn while you earn AND find out if you’re dedicated enough (suitable) to pass the challenge.

[Tyloxz]

Is the new data banks are helpful for the new ATPL?

[philipgledhill]

Philip is not very good with exams I have trouble at taking things in I think I am a bit dislecksick I have to learn a little bit at a time like English and maths I am terrible. I am more of a practical person to train by watching studying and practicing thinks. Practice makes perfection. I have to do things the easy way with shortcuts. Many thanks for letting me share your video phil. Keep safe buddy and happy flying.

[Mad-Coo]

Hi Rory, enjoyed viewing thanks, can you recommend a helicopter simulator? I have been using an older Microsoft sim but want to upgrade, any suggestions appreciated.

[winjarskjelten]

Thanks for this great video. Helped me through my EASA ATPL exams. Made all of them on 1st attempt. Now I'm considering converting to UK license. Any ideas of where to look for a job? Thanks again!

[intertresunum]

I’ve got my mod 1 exams next week. This helped a bit with the pre exam jitters so thanks.

[bengals]

Hi I was wondering if you know much about air traffic control at the moment. Is it still worth applying?

[glennwatson]

Done some cpl and passed my ppl exam here in Australia. In Australia be careful with question banks just use it to highlight weak areas and where you should study more. Our exams they deliberately try and make sure you can't memory learn the questions by putting extra complexity in the question. Not sure if this relates to the UK exams. I know the FAA ones are much closer to the question banks.

[johnfitzpatrick]

Hello Rory on air from Sydney, Australia.
EXAMINATION ADRENAL
I usually use this to restart the electrical current of the human heart.
I much prefer study and accessible references: analyse the question and plan the logical order of the answers. All within the allocated time period.
🌴🚶‍♂️

[makor]

Hi Rory, which ATPL exam question bank do you recommend for 2024?

[gluebox]

Where do you rank wearing epaulettes and how many stripes should you wear for the best score?

[fernandoazconagimenez]

I went today to myb i read the book took notes díd aviación full ( 96% average) and My notes was 50% same with flyplan . I'm SO stressed and i think i won't he able yo get this License.

[aceace]

well rory i dont mean to be bad but i could never sit an exam and i was good at showing people and problem solving but being disabled now and not been able to do anything really sucks but good luck to all of you anyway.