Commercial Pilot Study Plan
A free week-by-week schedule to pass the Commercial Pilot Airplane knowledge test — built on all 9 ACS areas (583 practice questions), the proven 5-step method, and Learn-library lessons to fill every knowledge gap.
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Personalize free →Your 8-week Commercial Pilot plan
Follow the weeks in order. Each week pairs the Learn lessons (understand it) with the 5-step drills (lock it in).
- Week 1
Basic Aerodynamics + Aircraft Systems
41%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Basic Aerodynamics + Aircraft Systems.
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 104 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekComplex Aircraft Definition and Endorsement RequirementsHigh-Performance Aircraft Definition and Endorsement RequirementsPropeller Governor Mechanism and RPM RegulationConstant-Speed Propeller Operation and Pitch ControlManifold Pressure and Brake Horsepower RelationshipTurbocharger vs Supercharger Operation in Piston Engines - Week 2
Flight Instruments + Aircraft Performance
47%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Flight Instruments + Aircraft Performance.
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 99 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekShort-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb TechniqueCruise Performance Charts for High-Performance AircraftAccelerated Stalls and Stall Recognition at Elevated Load FactorsAsymmetric Thrust and Critical Engine Concepts in Multi-Engine AircraftBlade Element Theory and Propeller Efficiency CurvesHigh-Altitude Aerodynamics and Mach Number Effects on Subsonic Aircraft - Week 3
Weather
53%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Weather.
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 91 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekEights on Pylons: Pivotal Altitude and Wind CorrectionChandelles: Procedure, Standards, and Common ErrorsSteep Turns at 50 Degrees Bank for Commercial PilotsPower-Off 180-Degree Accuracy Approach and LandingAccelerated Stalls: Recognition and Recovery at Higher AirspeedsSpin Awareness and Incipient Spin Recognition for Commercial Pilots - Week 4
Weather Services + Procedures and Airport Operations (part 1/2)
58%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Weather Services + Procedures and Airport Operations (part 1/2).
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 95 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekForced Landing Procedures and Off-Airport Field SelectionEmergency Descent: Rapid Altitude Loss Procedures and AirspeedsEngine Failure Procedures in High-Performance Single-Engine AircraftCommercial Pilot Certificate Aeronautical Experience RequirementsHigh-Performance and Complex Aircraft Endorsement RequirementsSecond-in-Command Qualifications and Logging Requirements - Week 5
Procedures and Airport Operations (part 2/2) + Navigation
64%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Procedures and Airport Operations (part 2/2) + Navigation.
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 87 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekSoft-Field Takeoff and Landing Technique for Commercial OperationsRetractable Landing Gear Systems and Emergency Extension ProceduresVmc Determination Factors and Minimum Control Speed in Multi-Engine OperationsFAR Part 91 vs Part 135 Operating Rules ComparisonLogging and Currency Requirements for Commercial OperationsCompensation and Hire Rules Under FAR 61.133 - Week 6
Regulations (part 1/2) + Regulations (part 2/2)
70%readiness goal- ›Read the linked lessons first to understand the "why" before you drill.
- ›Step 1 Answer Imprint + Step 2 Recognition Drill on Regulations (part 1/2) + Regulations (part 2/2).
- ›Step 3 Full Practice — work through roughly 107 questions across these areas.
- ›Daily: Step 4 Weak Point Focus on anything you miss (Smart Review resurfaces it before you forget).
Lessons to read this weekCategory of Aircraft and Class Ratings for Commercial CertificatesFAA Definition of Commercial Pilot Privileges and LimitationsFAR Part 119 Air Carrier Certificate RequirementsAirline Transport Pilot vs Commercial Pilot Certificate DifferencesFAR Part 135 On-Demand and Commuter Operations RulesDrug and Alcohol Testing Requirements for Commercial Operations - Week 7 · Review
Mixed review & weak points
85%readiness goal- ›Step 3 Full Practice across every category, mixed and randomized.
- ›Flag every miss — those become tomorrow's focus.
- ›Step 4 Weak Point Focus daily until each flagged question earns a green check.
- Week 8 · Review
Full review & exam simulation
95%readiness goal- ›Step 5 Exam Simulation — take full timed mock exams under real conditions.
- ›Keep going until you score 90%+ three sessions in a row — that's your green light to sit the real test.
- ›Step 4 Weak Point Focus every morning on any question you still miss.
What's a “readiness goal”?
Each week above lists a target — here's exactly what it means and where you'll see it.
Readiness is your Exam-Readiness score — a live 0–100 estimate of how likely you are to pass, shown right on your dashboard once you start studying.
It blends three things: how accurately you're answering, how much of the full question bank you've covered, and how well it's stickingover time. High accuracy alone won't max it out — the FAA draws from the whole bank, so broad coverage counts too.
Each week's readiness goal is the level to aim for by that point. Hit or beat it and you're on pace. When you're consistently at 90%+ — including three full exam simulations in a row — you're genuinely ready to sit the real test.
Where to find it: your dashboard shows your live readiness score and updates it every time you study.
The 5-step method behind the plan
Every week runs on the same proven sequence. Do the steps in order — don't skip ahead.
- Step 1Answer Imprint
see each question with its correct answer to lock it in
- Step 2Recognition Drill
pick the right answer from shuffled choices
- Step 3Full Practice
work every question mixed together
- Step 4Weak Point Focus
drill only what you missed until it sticks
- Step 5Exam Simulation
a full timed mock — 90%+ three times in a row means ready
Keep going
Always confirm current certificate requirements and test details at faa.gov.