Free Certified Postsecondary Instructor® examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Certified Postsecondary Instructor® examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A postsecondary instructor interviews newly enrolled adults about how they plan to use the course skills. Which principle best explains the value of asking this question?

   1. A. Adults generally pursue learning as a means of accomplishing a practical purpose.
   2. B. Adults generally pursue learning to obtain approval from their classmates.
   3. C. Adults generally pursue learning to satisfy curiosity about an unfamiliar subject.
   4. D. Adults generally pursue learning to receive recognition from their instructor.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states, "Learning is a means to an end, not an end in itself." Asking about intended use identifies the practical purpose motivating the adult to enroll; approval, curiosity, and recognition can motivate learners but do not explain this question.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 2: Human Behavior — p. 2-4, Where Does the Motivation to Learn Come From?

2. 2A technical instructor is revising a lesson objective so achievement can be observed directly. Which objective uses a measurable learner behavior?

   1. A. Develop awareness of the equipment inspection sequence.
   2. B. Gain familiarity with the equipment inspection sequence.
   3. C. Appreciate the importance of the equipment inspection sequence.
   4. D. List the required steps of the equipment inspection sequence.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook states, "The skill or behavior should be in concrete and measurable terms." Listing steps produces observable evidence; awareness, familiarity, and appreciation do not specify an observable performance.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 5: The Teaching Process — p. 5-5, Description of the Skill or Behavior

3. 3At the beginning of a session, an instructor concisely states the lesson objective and the key ideas that will be covered. Which component supplies this instructional road map?

   1. A. Overview
   2. B. Motivation
   3. C. Attention
   4. D. Development

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states, "A clear, concise presentation of the objective and the key ideas gives the learners a road map of the route to be followed." This is the overview. Attention focuses interest, motivation explains importance, and development presents the main subject matter.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 5: The Teaching Process — p. 5-9, Lesson Introduction — Overview

4. 4An instructor must assess whether advanced learners can apply their skills to a realistic workplace problem by producing and defending a solution. Which assessment approach directly matches that requirement?

   1. A. Authentic assessment
   2. B. Selected-response testing
   3. C. Recall-based questioning
   4. D. Recognition-based testing

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states, "the authentic assessment requires the learner to exhibit in-depth knowledge by generating a solution instead of merely choosing a response." Producing and defending a solution supplies evidence of applied competence that recognition or recall alone does not.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 6: Assessment — p. 6-1, Assessment Terminology — authentic assessment

5. 5An adult in a self-directed certificate course asks whether consulting a mentor would undermine the independence of the project. What should the instructor explain?

   1. A. Self-direction requires the learner to obtain all project guidance from assigned readings.
   2. B. Self-direction allows the learner to use other people as resources and guides.
   3. C. Self-direction requires the mentor to determine the project goals and working pace.
   4. D. Self-direction allows the mentor to complete the project decisions for the learner.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "Remember that self-direction does not mean isolation." It adds that self-directed projects involve other people as resources and guides. Consulting a mentor is compatible with retaining responsibility for the project.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 2: Human Behavior — p. 2-17, Teaching the Adult Learner, instructor recommendations

6. 6An instructor writes: Given a wiring diagram and a training panel, identify five specified components with 100% accuracy. Which part is the performance criterion?

   1. A. Identifying the specified components
   2. B. Achieving 100% accuracy
   3. C. Using the supplied wiring diagram
   4. D. Using the supplied training panel

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "Criteria are the standards that measure the accomplishment of the objective." Accuracy sets the acceptable achievement level; identification is the behavior, while the diagram and panel are conditions.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 5: The Teaching Process — p. 5-6, Criteria

7. 7During a course, students understand the current lesson task but ask how it contributes to the qualification they are pursuing. What should the instructor make explicit?

   1. A. How the lesson fits the instructor's preferred weekly teaching routine.
   2. B. How the lesson compares in length with the other scheduled lessons.
   3. C. How the lesson relates to the overall objectives of the course.
   4. D. How the lesson's materials were selected from the textbook chapters.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The handbook states, "each lesson should be planned and taught so that its relation to the course objectives is clear to each learner." The students need the connection between this task and the course goal, rather than administrative or material-selection details.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 7: Planning Instructional Activity — p. 7-9, Relation to course of training

8. 8A test administrator examines whether an assessment gives consistent results when the same achievement is measured repeatedly under comparable conditions. Which test property is being examined?

   1. A. Validity
   2. B. Reliability
   3. C. Usability
   4. D. Comprehensiveness

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "Reliability is the degree to which test results are consistent with repeated measurements." The question concerns consistency, rather than whether the test measures the intended construct, is practical to administer, or covers the full range of objectives.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 6: Assessment — p. 6-4, Characteristics of a Good Written Assessment — Reliability

9. 9During an adult evening class, a learner who has missed meals repeatedly loses concentration because of hunger. Which category of need is directly competing with attention to the lesson?

   1. A. Esteem needs
   2. B. Belonging needs
   3. C. Physiological needs
   4. D. Security needs

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Under Physiological, the handbook states, "They consist of the need for air, food, water, and maintenance of the human body." Hunger directly concerns this category rather than social acceptance, recognition, or protection from harm.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 2: Human Behavior — p. 2-6, Meeting Human Needs to Encourage Learning — Physiological

10. 10Before assigning the first lessons in a certificate course, an instructor administers a short test of prerequisite knowledge and skills. What is the primary planning use of the results?

    1. A. Establish what learners already know and can do at entry.
    2. B. Establish what learners prefer about the course delivery format.
    3. C. Establish how learners rate the clarity of the course materials.
    4. D. Establish how learners intend to apply skills after graduation.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The handbook states, "Diagnostic assessments assess learner knowledge or skills prior to a course of instruction." A prerequisite test establishes the starting knowledge and skill level, whereas preferences, material ratings, and future goals require other information.

    Reference: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — Chapter 6: Assessment — p. 6-1, Assessment Terminology — diagnostic assessments