EASA Part-66 Module Exams: What to Expect on Exam Day

Overview of the Part-66 Examination System

The EASA Part-66 module exams — officially the basic knowledge examinations of Part-66 66.A.25 — are the written component of aircraft maintenance licensing in Europe. They are aligned with Part-66 Appendix I, the regulation's official syllabus of 17 basic-knowledge modules, and are administered by EASA-approved maintenance training organisations (MTOs) or national aviation authorities, in the national language and in English.

Appendix I is not a textbook in itself — it is a syllabus that defines, for each module, the subject areas you must master and the knowledge level required (1 = overview, 2 = detailed, 3 = in-depth). B categories require the deeper levels. Candidates use EASA-approved course material, aircraft maintenance manuals, and exam preparation platforms to cover the syllabus. Understanding the structure of Appendix I is the first step to efficient exam preparation.

Registration is done through your training organisation or directly with your national aviation authority. You book each module exam individually, which lets you study and pass one module at a time — the standard strategy among successful candidates.

The 17 Modules and Their Exam Standards

Part-66 Appendix II sets the question quota and time limit for each module exam. The full-module standards are:

Note that each licence category requires its own subset of these modules — a B1.1 candidate takes 13 modules, a B2 candidate 12 — and the quotas shown are the full module standards of Appendix II. A few modules include short essay questions in addition to the multiple-choice items: M7 has 2 essays, M9 has 1, and M10 has 1.

Pass Mark and Scoring

All Part-66 module exams use the following scoring system:

• Pass mark — 75% for every module (66.A.25) — higher than the 70% required in the FAA system.
• Scoring — Each correct answer earns one point. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so never leave a question unanswered.
• Exam format — Multiple-choice questions with several options, plus short essay questions on M7, M9 and M10. Some questions include figures, diagrams, or charts.
• Computer-based — Exams are administered at MTO or CAA examination centres on computer terminals. Results are typically available immediately after completion.
• Retakes — You must wait at least 30 days between attempts of the same module, and you may attempt each module a maximum of 3 times consecutively — after the third failed attempt you must wait one year before retaking it.
• Module validity — Your module exam credits are valid for 10 years from the date of the exam (66.A.25).

Module Exams by Licence Category

The modules you take depend on the licence category you are pursuing:

• B1.1 (aeroplane turbine) — 13 modules: M1-M10 plus M11, M14, M15 and M17.
• B1.2 (aeroplane piston) — 13 modules: M1-M10 plus M11, M14, M16 and M17.
• B1.3 / B1.4 (helicopters) — M1-M10 plus M12, M14 and M15 (turbine) or M16 (piston).
• B2 (avionics) — 12 modules: M1-M10 plus M13 and M14.
• B3 (non-pressurised piston helicopters) — A reduced set covering the fundamentals plus the helicopter and piston engine content.
• A (line maintenance) — A reduced set covering the fundamentals and basic practices.

The shared fundamentals (M1-M10) mean that extending your licence to another category later is significantly cheaper in study terms than the first category.

What Happens on Exam Day

On the day of your exam, arrive at the exam centre at least 30 minutes early. The check-in process is straightforward:

• Identification — Present a valid, government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID, or driving licence) that matches your registration.
• Security — Exam centres require you to sign in and store personal belongings (phone, smartwatch, notes, calculators) in a locker. No electronic devices are allowed in the exam room.
• The exam room — You are assigned a computer workstation. A whiteboard or scratch paper and a basic calculator are typically provided. The exam software includes a timer and flags questions for review.
• During the exam — You may not bring reference materials — the exam is closed-book. The clock runs continuously, though you can take a break if needed (the clock does not stop).
• Results — Your score appears on screen immediately after you submit, and you receive an official exam report showing your score and performance by subject area. Keep these reports — you will need them for your licence application.

The Assessment of Competence

The module exams are only part of the certification process. After passing your modules and completing your experience requirements (or finishing recognised training), B1 and B2 candidates must pass the assessment of competence (66.A.40) conducted by their national authority or an authorised training organisation.

The assessment covers the practical tasks appropriate to your licence category: interpreting maintenance data, performing inspections and repairs, using tools and test equipment, and completing the associated documentation. The assessor evaluates your technique, safety awareness, use of approved data, and regulatory compliance. Unlike the multiple-choice module exams, the assessment requires you to demonstrate genuine hands-on competence.

Preparation for the assessment requires a different approach than the written exams. Focus on understanding the "why" behind procedures, not just the "what." Practise explaining your reasoning out loud. Review your logbook thoroughly so you can speak confidently about it. Consider doing mock assessments with experienced licensed engineers to build confidence.

Proven Study Strategies for the Module Exams

Passing the Part-66 module exams requires more than just reading the material. Here are strategies used by successful candidates:

• Start with the fundamentals — The foundational knowledge from M1-M5 underpins the technical modules. Master them first, and the category-specific modules become significantly easier.
• Use Appendix I as your checklist — Download Part-66 Appendix I and check off subject areas as you study each one. This ensures you don't miss any topic at the required knowledge level.
• Active recall over passive reading — Reading textbooks creates familiarity, not mastery. Use practice questions, flashcards, and self-quizzing to build genuine recall.
• Focus on your weak areas — It's natural to gravitate toward topics you already understand. Use a platform like Skylicence Europe that identifies your weak modules and forces you to practise them.
• Simulate exam conditions — Take timed practice exams in a quiet environment. This builds speed, endurance, and familiarity with the question format.
• Study in spaced sessions — Short, frequent study sessions (45-60 minutes) are more effective than marathon sessions. Spaced repetition helps transfer knowledge from short-term to long-term memory.
• Join study groups — Discussing topics with fellow Part-66 candidates reveals gaps in your understanding and exposes you to different perspectives on the same material.

How Skylicence Europe Prepares You for Exam Day

Skylicence Europe is purpose-built for EASA Part-66 exam preparation. Our AI-powered platform covers every module in Part-66 Appendix I, across all 8 licence categories.

• Complete Appendix I coverage — 4,464 questions across all 17 modules, mapped to the official syllabus subjects and knowledge levels.
• Adaptive AI technology — The platform identifies your weak areas and adjusts question difficulty in real time, maximising every minute of study time.
• Real exam simulations — Timed exams that replicate the official question quotas and time limits, including the 75% pass mark.
• AI Tutor — Get instant, syllabus-referenced explanations for any topic. Ask follow-up questions until you truly understand.
• Progress analytics — Detailed performance tracking across every module shows exactly where you need more study.

Start preparing with Skylicence Europe →