The FAA has launched its 2025 Airman Data Check knowledge, and in case you’re searching for a feel-good story concerning the state of drone pilot preparedness in America, you gained’t discover it right here. Not solely are scores on the Small Unmanned Plane Common (UAG) Data Check — the examination required to fly commercially beneath Half 107 — nonetheless lagging behind each different main FAA take a look at, they really bought worse final yr.
The truth is, common Half 107 scores in 2025 noticed all-time lows. Not coincidentally, 2025 additionally gave us the bottom general Half 107 take a look at go price. In 2025, simply 82.96% of Half 107 test-takers handed, clocking a mean rating of simply 79.31%.
2025 additionally gave us an all-time excessive of individuals trying to take the Half 107 take a look at — 73,914 aspiring pilots whole (up from about 67,500 in 2024, and practically double the roughly 40,000 who tried in 2020).
In different phrases, extra individuals than ever are pursuing their drone license — and but each the typical rating and the go price ticked down yr over yr.
A historical past of Half 107 take a look at scores
2025 was the bleakest yr but for Half 107 take a look at scores, however they’ve truly been falling for years. In 2024, only a smidge extra individuals handed, with the typical rating at 79.95% (vs 2025’s 79.31%) and the typical go price at 84.20% versus 2025’s (82.96%).
To be clear, 79.31% is technically a passing grade (the minimal is 70%). Nevertheless it’s not an excellent one. It’s a C+. And scores have been largely trending downward yearly. Right here’s how they give the impression of being, primarily based on FAA knowledge:
| Yr | Check-Takers | Avg Rating | Move Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 16,263 | 81.09% | 90.07% |
| 2017 | 41,074 | 82.65% | 93.02% |
| 2018 | 40,985 | 83.05% | 93.03% |
| 2019 | 45,892 | 82.99% | 92.23% |
| 2020 | 39,455 | 83.56% | 93.36% |
| 2021 | 53,681 | 81.20% | 87.63% |
| 2022 | 57,049 | 80.31% | 85.68% |
| 2023 | 63,935 | 81.22% | 87.07% |
| 2024 | 67,576 | 79.95% | 84.20% |
| 2025 | 73,914 | 79.31% | 82.96% |
The Half 107 take a look at went dwell in mid-2016, which explains why the test-taking price was a lot decrease them. For the report, I took the take a look at in October 2016. I handed the Half 107 take a look at with a rating of 90%, and I studied virtually solely through the use of the Drone Pilot Floor College on-line course.
The Half 107 examination is the most well-liked FAA take a look at — and the worst-performing
Of the 293,516 individuals who took an FAA Airman Data Check of any variety in 2025 (that features business airline pilot, upkeep or transport pilot checks, amongst others), the general go price was 89.56%. The Half 107 examination’s 82.96% go price falls nicely in need of that benchmark. And the typical rating of 79.31% is decrease than just about each comparable take a look at on the checklist.
Take the Airplane Non-public Pilot take a look at: 44,657 individuals took it in 2025, with a mean rating of 81.64% and a go price of 89.56%. The Airplane Instrument Ranking take a look at noticed 27,143 takers publish a mean of 86.15% with a 94.38% go price. Even the Aviation Upkeep Technician checks (notoriously robust exams protecting plane techniques) have comparable or higher go charges regardless of requiring deep technical information.
The gold customary? The Navy Competence Teacher take a look at, the place 1,028 test-takers averaged a 96.02% with a 99.22% go price. (Granted, that inhabitants is… a bit of self-selected.)
So what’s occurring?
The expansion in take a look at quantity is nearly actually a part of the story. As drones turn out to be extra mainstream — whether or not for actual property pictures, building web site mapping, content material creation, or supply — extra individuals with various (or no) aviation backgrounds are pursuing their Half 107. Meaning the test-taking pool consists of everybody from seasoned pilots including a credential to whole newcomers who’ve by no means considered airspace classification of their lives.
Extra test-takers from a wider vary of backgrounds means extra variability in preparation. That variability tends to tug averages down. It’s not essentially that drone pilots are getting dumber (although with phrases like AI-driven mind rot being thrown round, who is aware of?).
Both means, the drop in scores needs to be semi-concerning. The Half 107 take a look at exists for a cause: it ensures that business drone operators perceive airspace guidelines, climate patterns, and security procedures. A decrease common rating means extra pilots are flying commercially with shakier foundational information. That’s not nice for anybody sharing the sky.
What you are able to do about it (in your personal Half 107 take a look at rating, a minimum of)
You’ll be able to’t management what 73,000 different individuals rating. However you may ensure you’re not the one dragging down the typical. Listed below are the fundamentals:
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