# Private Pilot Test Prep — Sporty's Study Buddy

> FAA written test preparation app with study, flashcard, and practice test modes. (iPhone/iPad app by Sporty's Pilot Shop.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-test-prep/id414141811 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sporty's Pilot Shop](https://appshunter.io/developer/371817958)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 115 App Store ratings · 65 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 27 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-01-14
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-test-prep/id414141811/reviews.md

## What is Private Pilot Test Prep?

Sporty's Study Buddy will prepare you for the FAA written test like no other study tool available with three modes of operation. Test material is expertly organized into categories based on subject matter and includes, questions, answers, correct answers, and detailed explanations. 

• STUDY QUESTIONS BY TOPIC • 

Learning Mode allows you to create custom review sessions by selecting exactly which categories you want to review. Each session randomly generates the question order, and provides instant feedback based on your answer selection. Each question also provides a detailed description as to why each answer is right or wrong. These explanations were developed by Sporty’s team of Master CFI’s, based on their experience preparing students for the Private Pilot certificate

• REVIEW QUESTION FLASHCARDS •

Flashcard mode tests your knowledge by allowing you to only see the question without the answer choices. After answering the question mentally, you can then select to show the correct answer, and self-grade your progress along the way. This is a great feature that keeps you from being distracted by incorrect answers!

• TAKE PRACTICE TESTS •

Test mode randomly generates a 60-question session from the entire database of published FAA test questions, simulating the real Private Pilot test. After answering all the questions, you’ll be given instant results, and have the option to review either all the questions, or just missed questions. Included in the review session are the same detailed explanations for why each answer is right or wrong.

•PROGRESS REPORTS•

After completing each test your results are saved in the app's Progress Report section, where you can review previous scores and and a detailed history of each question and answer selection. You can also pause a partially-completed session, and resume it at a later time here.

## Key features

- Study questions by topic
- Custom review sessions
- Detailed answer explanations
- Flashcard review mode
- Simulated practice tests
- Progress reports

## Chart rankings

- #22 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

## What do users think of Private Pilot Test Prep?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- ✅ Excellent for exam prep
- 💯 Questions are verbatim/similar
- 💡 Affordable and valuable
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 📚 Good explanations
- 🚀 Efficient studying
- 📱 Convenient mobile access
- ⭐ High scores achieved
- 💰 Worth the price

**Cons**

- ⚠️ Some questions outdated/inaccurate
- 📉 Not all questions match real exam
- 😵 Repeat questions in test mode
- 📱 Difficult to use on small screens
- 🤔 Explanations not always perfect
- ❌ No endorsement for real test
- 🪲 Bugs and crashes
- 📉 Limited question bank compared to others
- 😐 Mediocre compared to other tools

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes in test mode
- Progress not saved on phone
- Blackout bug when viewing figures or rotating screen
- Crashes after deleting test sessions
- Not updated for iPhone X
- Save function issues

**Most requested features**

- Ability to save flagged questions across sessions
- Randomized questions in test mode
- Improved cross-device progress syncing (iCloud)
- Interactive map features for practice
- Search functionality for specific questions
- Dark mode option
- Compatibility with iPhone X
- More sample test questions from FAA
- Bundle option for instrument written prep

## Recent user reviews (10 of 65)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-test-prep/id414141811/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great for Review!

*2026-04-17, version 3.11*

I used this app, along with the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and Gold Seal’s Ground School and other FAA resources to get a 92% on my written! Would definitely recommend getting this app!

### 5/5 — January 2026 PASSED

*2026-01-28, version 3.11*

Did well on the written exam. Most of these questions are VERBATIM on the exa!. Some things I would recommend studying that I didn’t see in this app are Soft/Short Field landings and gust factor! Good luck everyone!

### 5/5 — Gets the job done!

*2026-01-23*

Took my time and went through all the “learning mode” modules. Took my PAR today and got a 87. 
I’d advise to look at parking procedures, what to do for emergency landing procedures, and where in the traffic pattern you may encounter power-on-stalls. These things appeared on my test. Good luck everyone

### 5/5 — Affordable Prep with Value

*2025-09-28*

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on courses, studying through the question banks (Learning Mode) helped me achieve what I needed through my PPL written journey. I loved the different mode, especially with options to take simulated tests and ability to review both Learning & Test sessions I had completed. While the explanations aren’t perfect, given the price, this app is a great self-studying tool.

### 5/5 — Really appreciate the app!

*2025-06-16, version 3.10*

This app was great practice  for the PAR exam, along with some studying from the PHAK  (which I understand you can download for free from the FAA if you don’t want a physical book), and some further research on how to do calculations with the help of the AI on the internet.

I would recommend picking 1 topic at a time in learning mode, as well as making notes as you continue to do your own research on the topics in the PHAK.

So don’t try to cover all topics in one day though, as there are over 1000 questions in the question bank.

Once you feel confident, give the test mode a go and just keep at it.  

Give yourself enough time to prepare for the test as well. This is for the foundation of your future, so it’s well worth investing in. I studied 2-5 hours almost everyday for about 3 weeks and passed the test first time around, so I’m sure most people will be able to succeed if they put in the effort.

Lastly, get yourself a e6b or electronic flight computer, a physical sectional chart, and some scratch paper. It will put you ahead of the game for the future if you grasp the basics of calculating center of gravity, course correction/wind correction angles, and can actually read a map when in a pinch!

### 5/5 — got an 88% on my written

*2025-01-29, version 3.10*

i used sportys as my sole study guide and i passed with an 88%. sportys is basically an exact replica of the exact things you’ll be tested on by the faa. would recommend

### 1/5 — Not like real exam

*2024-10-20, version 3.7*

Maybe 1 out of 10 questions relate to the FAA exam. I got a 75 on my real exam but was constantly getting 95-100 on sportys.

### 4/5 — NOT REAL TEST QUESTIONS

*2024-10-15, version 3.7*

I read some positive reviews here and saw YouTube videos mentioning that this was essentially similar to Sheppard air FAA test dumps. Took the written 10/2024 and I’d say only ~40% of the questions I saw were in this app. The app is great for studying and making sure you understand the format and how to solve the real questions, but DO NOT just memorize these answers because you will fail the written.

### 1/5 — Worthless

*2024-04-02, version 3.6.7*

I completed this app all 1000 questions took several test prep questions and feel confident to take the real exam how ever this app does not give you a endorsement. You have to purchase the full course on Sporty’s web page. If you purchase on the web page you don’t need this app. So the app is worthless and a waste of time. You will have to use this app, google and YouTube to fully understand it. Don’t bother with this app just get the actual course.

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2024-01-17, version 3.6.6*

I pass with 87 nice tool

## Frequently asked questions about Private Pilot Test Prep

### What does the Private Pilot Test Prep app do?

This app is designed to help you prepare for the FAA written test for your private pilot certificate. It offers multiple study modes, including reviewing questions by topic, using flashcards, and taking simulated practice tests.

### What are the main study modes available?

The app features three primary modes: Learning Mode allows custom review sessions by topic with instant feedback and detailed explanations. Flashcard Mode tests your knowledge by showing only the question, letting you reveal the answer afterward. Test Mode simulates the actual FAA exam with a 60-question session.

### How does the app help track my progress?

After completing tests, your results are saved in the Progress Report section. Here you can review previous scores, a detailed history of your question and answer selections, and even resume partially completed sessions.

### Are there any costs associated with this app?

Based on the provided information, the app is available for free and does not appear to have in-app purchases or advertisements.

### Who is this app intended for?

This application is specifically for individuals who are studying to obtain their private pilot certificate and need to pass the FAA written examination.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.11 — 2025-07-03

Updated FAA test prep question and answer database

### 3.10 — 2024-12-10

Includes updated BasicMed FAA test prep questions

### 3.9 — 2024-10-25

Performance improvements and bug fixes.

### 3.7 — 2024-08-05

Updated FAA test prep question and answer database

### 3.6.8 — 2024-04-10

Updated FAA test prep question and answer database

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## More apps by Sporty's Pilot Shop

- [Sporty's E6B Flight Computer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sportys-e6b-flight-computer/id371817955)
- [Instrument Pilot Test Prep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instrument-pilot-test-prep/id437392025)
- [Sport Pilot Test Prep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sport-pilot-test-prep/id524105637)
- [Remote Pilot Study Buddy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-pilot-study-buddy/id1183997965)
- [Sporty's Pilot Training](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sportys-pilot-training/id1272775528)

All apps by Sporty's Pilot Shop: https://appshunter.io/developer/371817958

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*