ATPL Theory Exam: Complete Study Schedule for 2026

A Week-by-Week Plan for All 13 ATPL Subjects

Passing all 13 EASA ATPL theory exams within the 18-month sitting period is a monumental achievement. Without a structured plan, many candidates waste time on low-yield subjects, run out of time on hard ones, or burn out before they finish. This schedule gives you a clear roadmap from day one to exam completion.

Overview: The Numbers

The 40-Week Master Schedule

This plan is designed for full-time students studying 25-30 hours per week. If you are studying part-time (15 hours per week), double the duration but keep the same subject order.

Phase 1: Navigation Block (Weeks 1-10)

The hardest subjects first, when your motivation is highest and your sitting period is longest.

Weeks 1-5: General Navigation (061)

• Week 1: Earth, coordinates, great circles, rhumb lines
• Week 2: Maps and charts -- Lambert, Mercator, polar stereographic
• Week 3: Dead reckoning, wind triangle, 1-in-60 rule
• Week 4: Compass theory -- deviation, variation, dip, turning/acceleration errors
• Week 5: Practice questions and mock exams (target: 300+ questions completed)

Weeks 6-10: Radio Navigation (062)

• Week 6: Ground-based nav aids -- VOR, DME, NDB/ADF
• Week 7: ILS, MLS, radar systems
• Week 8: Inertial navigation systems (INS/IRS)
• Week 9: GNSS (GPS), RNAV, PBN, RNP
• Week 10: Practice questions and mock exams

Exam Session 1 (Week 11): General Navigation + Radio Navigation

Phase 2: Technical Block (Weeks 12-22)

Weeks 12-16: Principles of Flight (081)

• Week 12: Lift, drag, and the four forces
• Week 13: Stability and control -- longitudinal, lateral, directional
• Week 14: High-speed aerodynamics -- compressibility, Mach effects, swept wings
• Week 15: Stalling, spinning, and flight envelope limitations
• Week 16: Practice questions and mock exams

Weeks 17-20: Aircraft General Knowledge (021)

• Week 17: Airframe, hydraulics, and landing gear systems
• Week 18: Powerplant -- piston engines and turbine engines
• Week 19: Electrical, pressurization, and fuel systems
• Week 20: Practice questions and mock exams

Weeks 21-22: Instrumentation (022)

• Week 21: Pitot-static instruments, gyroscopic instruments, compasses
• Week 22: Electronic instruments, FMS, EFIS, warning systems + practice questions

Exam Session 2 (Week 23): POF + AGK + Instrumentation

Phase 3: Operations Block (Weeks 24-32)

Weeks 24-27: Meteorology (050)

• Week 24: Atmosphere, pressure, temperature, and density
• Week 25: Wind, clouds, precipitation, and visibility
• Week 26: Fronts, air masses, and weather systems
• Week 27: Aviation weather hazards, charts, and reports + practice questions

Weeks 28-30: Flight Planning (033)

• Week 28: Fuel planning -- trip fuel, contingency, alternate, final reserve, extra fuel
• Week 29: ICAO flight plan format and procedures
• Week 30: Navigation planning, ETOPS, and practice questions

Weeks 31-32: Operational Procedures (070)

• Week 31: ICAO procedures, fire/smoke, depressurization, contaminated runways
• Week 32: Practice questions and mock exams

Exam Session 3 (Week 33): Meteorology + Flight Planning + Ops Procedures

Phase 4: Light Block (Weeks 34-40)

Week 34: Mass and Balance (031)

• CG calculations, loading, and MAC calculations
• Practice questions (this subject rewards repetition)

Weeks 35-36: Performance (032)

• Week 35: Takeoff and landing performance, one-engine-inoperative procedures
• Week 36: Climb, cruise, and descent performance + practice questions

Weeks 37-38: Air Law (010)

• Week 37: ICAO annexes, Chicago Convention, pilot licensing
• Week 38: Rules of the air, airspace, ATC procedures + practice questions

Week 39: Human Performance (040)

• Physiology, psychology, decision making, CRM
• Practice questions

Week 40: Communications (091/092)

• VFR and IFR phraseology, procedures, emergency communications
• Practice questions

Exam Session 4 (Week 41): M&B + Performance + Air Law + HP + Communications

Phase 5: Buffer and Retakes (Weeks 42-52)

• Weeks 42-45: Focused study for any failed subjects
• Weeks 46-48: Retake exams as needed
• Weeks 49-52: Final buffer period

Daily Study Routine

A productive study day follows this pattern:

Total: approximately 6 hours of focused study per day, 5 days per week.

Revision Strategy

The Spaced Repetition Method

Do not just study a subject and forget it until revision week. Use spaced repetition:

1. After completing a subject, review it once per week for the next 4 weeks
2. Then review once every 2 weeks until the exam
3. In the final week before the exam, do a concentrated review of all subjects in that sitting

The 70-20-10 Rule

For each study session:

• 70% on new material -- Moving forward through the syllabus
• 20% on recent material -- Reviewing what you studied in the past 2 weeks
• 10% on old material -- Quick review of earlier subjects to prevent forgetting

Exam Day Logistics

EASA Exam Centers

• Exams are conducted at approved centers (typically at flight schools or national authority offices)
• Sessions are held approximately every 2 months depending on your national authority
• You must register well in advance -- popular sessions fill quickly
• Bring valid ID, exam booking confirmation, and any approved reference materials

Tips for Multi-Subject Exam Days

If sitting 2-3 exams in one session:

• Schedule the hardest exam first (when you are freshest)
• Bring snacks and water for breaks between exams
• Do not review material between exams -- it creates confusion
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before

Common Mistakes in ATPL Study

1. Starting with easy subjects -- You waste your highest motivation on subjects you would pass anyway
2. Not doing enough practice questions -- Aim for 500+ questions per hard subject, 200+ per easy subject
3. Studying without a plan -- Random studying leads to gaps and wasted time
4. Neglecting revision -- The forgetting curve is steep. Without revision, you lose 60% of material within a week.
5. Burning out -- Take one full day off per week. Physical exercise and social activities are not optional.

The Bottom Line

The ATPL theory exams are a test of discipline as much as intelligence. Students who follow a structured plan, maintain consistent daily study habits, and use active learning techniques (practice questions, spaced repetition, teaching others) pass at significantly higher rates than those who study reactively.

*Start your ATPL preparation today with our [question bank](/) covering all 13 subjects with 1,300+ questions. Track your progress across subjects and identify weak areas with our [diagnostic quiz tool](/tools/quiz).*