Home · Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation
Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation
This exam is for student pilots training for a UK Part-FCL Instrument Rating (IR) or Competency-Based Instrument Rating (CB-IR). Passing is a prerequisite for taking the IR Skill Test and gaining the privileges to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
Written against the published specification.
Pass mark 45/60120 minutesReal test fee approx £85UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
Don't cram it, drill it. Ten questions a topic beats an hour re-reading.
Free practice questions
Try 3 real Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 206 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. What is the definition of a great circle?
A. Any circle on the Earth's surface whose plane does not pass through the Earth's centre.
B. A line that crosses all meridians at the same angle.
C. A circle on the surface of a sphere whose plane passes through the centre of the sphere.
D. A line on a chart connecting points of zero magnetic variation.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. A circle on the surface of a sphere whose plane passes through the centre of the sphere.
A great circle is the largest possible circle that can be drawn on a sphere. Its plane must pass through the sphere's centre. The Equator is a prime example.
Q2. An aircraft equipped with a direct reading compass is accelerating on a constant heading of 270° in the Northern Hemisphere. What will the compass indicate?
A. A turn towards North
B. A turn towards South
C. No change in heading
D. A turn towards East
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. A turn towards North
Due to acceleration error (mnemonic ANDS: Accelerate North, Decelerate South), accelerating on a westerly heading causes the compass to indicate a turn towards North.
Q3. An airway segment is marked with an MEA of 9000 ft and a MOCA of 7500 ft (indicated by an asterisk, e.g., *7500). A pilot may legally descend to and operate at the MOCA provided the aircraft is:
A. in continuous radar contact with ATC.
B. within 22 NM of the VOR/VORTAC defining the route segment.
C. in VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions).
D. only in an emergency or with specific ATC clearance.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. within 22 NM of the VOR/VORTAC defining the route segment.
The Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude (MOCA) provides obstacle clearance but only guarantees navigation signal reception within 22 NM of the navigation aid.
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60 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
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Practice material only. This is revision practice, not official training, assessment or certification, and not a substitute for the required course or supervised experience. Always confirm the current requirements with the official awarding body or test provider before relying on it.
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Who has to sit the Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation
Who needs a Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation?
Pilots applying for a UK Instrument Rating (IR) must pass this theoretical knowledge exam as part of the overall requirements.
The real Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation: format
How many questions are in the Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation?
The real Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation has 60 questions and lasts 135 minutes. Our mock uses 60 questions in 120 minutes.
What is the Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation pass mark?
Real exam pass mark: 75%. Our mock marks you at 45 out of 60, the threshold we mark against.
What it costs, and what a resit costs
How much does the Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation cost?
Real exam fee: £97. Resit fee: £97. Rebooking after a fail: Max 4 attempts per paper, within 6 sittings and an 18-month window to pass all subjects.
How hard is it
What is the Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation pass rate?
Real exam first-time pass rate: 67%. Difficulty: Hard, heavily calculation-based, and time-pressured.
Why people fail it
Why do people fail the Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation?
Poor time management and rushing calculations, leading to incomplete papers.
Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
Instrument Rating (IR) Theoretical Knowledge Exam: General Navigation: common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 120 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).