ROC A Practice Exam
Free ROC-A Practice Exam (25 Questions)
Written by the ISED-accredited examiners who run the real exam. It has the same number of questions and the same 70% pass mark as your official Restricted Operator Certificate (Aeronautical) exam, and it marks itself the moment you finish.
- 25multiple-choice questions
- 70%pass mark, same as the real exam
- $0free for everyone
Warm-up question
Which signal, spoken three times, begins a distress call?
Correct. MAYDAY, spoken three times, means grave and imminent danger. PAN PAN is the urgency signal, one level below distress. There are 25 more like this in the practice exam.
Not quite. A distress call begins with MAYDAY, spoken three times. PAN PAN is the urgency signal, one level below distress. The practice exam will show you where else to tighten up.
Passed the practice exam? Here is what comes next
Take your official ROC-A exam online
Our ISED-accredited examiners conduct the real exam by video call. You can write it from home, anywhere in Canada, and ISED mails your certificate afterward.
- About 30 minutes by video conference
- Available in English and French
- Your certificate is valid for life
Missed a few? Take the ROC-A course
Short video lessons and realistic radio scenarios, built by the examiners who will test you. Most candidates who finish the course pass their exam on the first attempt.
$24.95 for 4 months of access
What is the ROC-A exam?
ROC-A stands for Restricted Operator Certificate with Aeronautical Qualification. It is the certificate issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that allows you to transmit on aviation radio frequencies in Canada. Student pilots, drone operators, dispatchers, and airport vehicle operators all need one.
The real exam is oral. An examiner asks you 25 multiple-choice, practical, and scenario questions, closed book, and you need 70% to pass. It tests whether you can:
- Use standard phraseology and give correct readbacks
- Handle distress and urgency communications
- Use the phonetic alphabet, numbers, and time correctly
- Operate radio equipment and follow the regulations that govern it
- Keep good radio discipline when the frequency is busy
The point is not to sound impressive. It is to be clear, correct, and safe when your workload is high. For exam day details, ID requirements, and booking, see our official ROC-A exam page. ISED’s own ROC-A study guide (PDF) is free and worth reading before you write.
Who this practice exam is for
- Student pilots who need their ROC-A before first solo
- Drone (RPAS) operators and airport workers who transmit on aviation frequencies
- Foreign licence holders converting to a Canadian licence
- Pilots returning after time away who want to refresh the essentials
- Anyone already booked to write who wants to find weak spots first
What the ROC-A practice questions cover
The questions concentrate on the four areas that most often separate “almost ready” from a confident pass.
Distress and urgency
- MAYDAY versus PAN PAN, and when each applies
- The correct order of information in the call
- What to repeat and what clutters the frequency
Phraseology and radio discipline
- Who you call first, and how to address them, from a tower to a Flight Information Centre
- What a proper transmission sounds like
- Common errors that cost marks and credibility
Phonetics, numbers, and time
- The phonetic alphabet, without hesitation
- Altitudes, headings, runway designators, and UTC time
- The small format traps that show up on exams
Operating procedures
- When a readback is required, including Transport Canada’s readback rules
- When to acknowledge and when to repeat
- Listening watch and mandatory frequency etiquette
How to get the most from it: an examiner’s method
- Write it once with no notes. Treat it like the real exam, which is closed book.
- Review every wrong answer. Write one sentence on why it was wrong.
- Write it again 24 hours later. Aim for a clean pass.
- Fix repeat misses before doing more questions. If the same topic catches you twice, study that topic, then retest.
You do not need 500 questions. You need to remove the handful of mistakes you are likely to make under pressure.
A study plan for the time you have
15minutes
- Write the practice exam once
- Review only the answers you missed
- Re-read distress and urgency procedures
30minutes
- Write the practice exam
- Review the answers you missed
- Drill phonetics, numbers, and time format
60minutes
- Write the practice exam and review it
- Rewrite the questions you missed
- Take a second attempt and aim for near perfect
ROC-A practice exam FAQ
How many questions are on the ROC-A exam?
The official exam has 25 questions. This practice exam matches that length.
What mark do I need to pass the ROC-A?
You need 70% or higher. The exam is closed book.
Can I take the ROC-A exam online?
Yes. Our ISED-accredited examiners conduct the official exam by video conference, in English or French. You must be physically in Canada during the exam. Book your ROC-A exam here.
Is the ROC-A required for student pilots in Canada?
You need it before you fly solo, and many flight schools want it done before training starts. Student pilots also need to pass the PSTAR before solo, and our PSTAR exam prep course is free.
Does the ROC-A expire?
No. Once issued, your certificate is valid for life. You are still expected to stay competent on the radio.
What topics come up most on the ROC-A exam?
Distress and urgency procedures, phonetics, numbers and time, standard phraseology, and radio discipline. Expect questions on the regulations that govern radio use as well.
What is the best way to study for the ROC-A?
Read the ISED study guide, listen to live air traffic control, and test yourself with this practice exam. If you want structured lessons, our ROC-A course walks through every exam topic with real radio scenarios.
What happens if I fail the ROC-A exam?
You can book another attempt with an examiner. Most candidates who complete our course pass on their first try.
What is the difference between ROC-A and ROC-M?
ROC-A covers aeronautical radio. ROC-M covers maritime radio. They are separate certificates with separate exams.
Ready? Write it once, clean, with no notes
Working toward your private pilot licence? Our Private Pilot Ground School includes the full ROC-A course and PSTAR prep, so one enrolment covers all three exams.
