How to read a CASA KDR — and turn it into a study plan

Aero Academic is an independent study platform. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by CASA. CASA's own documents are the authority; the passages below are quoted from them with section and page.

After a CASA aeronautical knowledge exam you receive a Knowledge Deficiency Report (KDR). It points at the Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS) Schedule 3 knowledge standards behind the questions you answered incorrectly. This page explains what the report is, how to read a Schedule 3 reference, and how to turn each item into study before your flight test.

What a KDR is

• What it is: “For theory examinations set by CASA or a Part 141 or Part 142 operator, the examination system generates a knowledge deficiency report (KDR). The KDR references the relevant knowledge standards where you have failed to demonstrate competency by answering a question incorrectly.” (CASR Part 61 Plain English Guide v1.3, section 2.9, page 56)
• When you get one: “If your exam mark is less than 100% but greater than 51%, you will receive a knowledge deficiency report (KDR) from the examination provider. The report will detail the competency standards in which you are deficient.” (CASR Part 61 Plain English Guide v1.3, regulation 61.230, page 58)
• Who else sees it: “If your training provider did not conduct the exam, a copy of your KDR will also be given to your training provider.” (CASR Part 61 Plain English Guide v1.3, regulation 61.230, page 58)
• Where its references point: “CASR Part 61 MOS, Schedule 3 contains the syllabuses for all examinations, including the KDR references.” (Flight Crew Licensing Manual V18.3, section 15.4.1, page 97)

Pass standards are 70% or 80% (see the table below), so a pass with any wrong answers still comes with a KDR.

What happens to it at the flight test

• Keep it: “When PEXO marks an examination, a summary of the results is issued as a Result Advice and Knowledge Deficiency Report (RA/KDR). These must be retained by the candidate and presented at the flight test for the applicable licence or rating.” (Flight Crew Licensing Manual V18.3, section 15.4.2, page 98)
• The examiner goes through it: “The Examiner must then examine the candidate on each topic identified in the KDR to ensure the candidate has adequate knowledge of the subject material incorrectly answered during the flight crew examination and sign the report in the space provided.” (Flight Crew Licensing Manual V18.3, section 15.4.3, page 99)
• Flight test eligibility: “your applicable flight examiner: has received, from your training provider, your knowledge deficiency reports if your score was less than 100% … is satisfied, regarding any identified deficiencies and associated competency standards, you have sufficient knowledge to safely exercise your licence privileges.” (CASR Part 61 Plain English Guide v1.3, regulation 61.235, for other than an ATPL flight test, page 60)
• If you lose it: “Candidates who have lost their KDR may apply through FCL for a replacement, using Form 059. A fee will apply.” (Flight Crew Licensing Manual V18.3, section 15.4.3, page 99)

How to read a Schedule 3 reference

Worked example CNVC 2.5.3 (Schedule 3, page 489):

• Section 1.7 — Navigation (NV) (one of the Schedule 3 subject sections)
• Unit 1.7.2 CNVC — CPL navigation – all aircraft categories (the unit code names the unit)
• 2 — Navigation (part 2 of the unit (part 1 is Reserved))
• 2.5 — Pilot navigation (the element)
• 2.5.3 — With reference to a planned or given track and given appropriate data: (a) determine track made good (TMG); and (b) calculate drift; and (c) determine alteration of heading or HDG(M) to: (i) parallel track; and (ii) intercept track at a nominated point; … (the item (abridged; it continues to (f)))

Item numbers restart in every unit, so read the unit code with the number: PNVC 2.4.2 is “Apply magnetic variation to obtain magnetic direction.”; CMTC 2.4.2 is “State the standard abbreviation for each cloud type, and the method used to report cloud amount.”.

A two-part number is an element: CMTC 2.3 “Atmospheric stability” covers 2.3.1 and 2.3.2.

Exam codes and pass standards

• RPLA / RPLH RPL – Aeroplane / Helicopter: 70%
• PPLA / PPLH PPL – Aeroplane / Helicopter: 70%
• CNAV CPL – Navigation: 70%
• CMET CPL – Meteorology: 70%
• CHUF CPL – Human Factors: 70%
• CLWA / CLWH CPL – Flight Rules and Air Law: 80%
• CADA / CADH CPL – Aerodynamics: 70%
• CSYA / CSYH CPL – Aircraft General Knowledge: 70%
• CFPA / CFPH CPL – Operation, Performance and Planning: 70%

Turn it into a study plan

1. List every item. Copy each item from your KDR, one per line, with its unit code and item number where the report shows them.
2. Read each item in Schedule 3. Look the item up in the unit it belongs to and read the standard itself. That text says what you have to be able to do — explain, calculate, state — not just the topic name.
3. Practice each item. Work through questions on each item until you get them right, then sit a timed practice exam to check the whole subject.
4. Take it to your instructor. Bring the KDR to your flight test: the examiner examines you on each item on it.

CASA practice exams that turn wrong answers into a MOS-mapped study plan.

• Paste the items from your KDR. Each line is looked up in Part 61 MOS Schedule 3 and shown with the item text, word for word, and its page, so you can check it is the right one.
• A line that matches no Schedule 3 item is reported, never swapped for a nearby item. Lines with your name, ARN, dates or scores are ignored and not saved.
• Each item gets practice questions matched to it — first questions that cite the item, then questions from its syllabus topic, then questions that share its topic words — and a 10-question drill.
• Your plan keeps each item with how many of its questions you have answered correctly since you added it.

A KDR does not show the questions you missed, and Aero Academic does not have them. The practice questions are drafted in our own words from CASR, the Part 61 MOS, the AIP and Bureau of Meteorology guidance; none is a recalled CASA exam question.

If you did not pass

• Three fails: “if you have had 3 failed attempts at an examination or part of an examination, you are not permitted to attempt the examination or part again for 3 months from the third failed attempt” (CASR Part 61 Plain English Guide v1.3, regulation 61.225, page 59)
• Four fails: “if you have had 4 failed attempts at an examination or part of an examination, you cannot attempt the examination or part again until CASA is satisfied you have completed appropriate remedial training.” (CASR Part 61 Plain English Guide v1.3, regulation 61.225, page 59)
• How to retrain: “Theory providers, flight schools and instructors should conduct retraining by going through each of the KDR items and the key elements in that particular subject, especially those that are safety related. It may not be necessary to repeat the whole course.” (CASR Part 61 Plain English Guide v1.3, regulation 61.225, page 59)

A CASA theory exam costs A$217 and about 3 in 10 sittings are failed. Find your weak topics before exam day. (CASA Annual Report 2024–25 (Tables A.5–A.6); CASA PPL (aeroplane) exams page.)

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