- The CAET exam has 100 multiple-choice questions, a 90-minute limit, and a 70% passing score.
- Purchase covers up to three attempts: wait 24 hours before attempt two, two weeks before attempt three.
- Virtual proctoring via GMetrix costs $119; an approved physical proctor costs $109.
- There are eight official topic areas, from Maintenance Procedures to Safety & Housekeeping.
Quick Facts Snapshot
If you only have five minutes before you close the laptop tonight, this is the section to read. The Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) credential is administered by the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) and delivered through the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI). This cheat sheet covers the base Level 1 CAET exam - not the AET upgrade path and not the CAET-Advanced assessment, which have their own separate requirements.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 multiple-choice |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Fee (virtual proctor) | $119 |
| Fee (physical proctor) | $109 |
| Attempts included | Up to 3, within 90 days of purchase |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Renewal cycle | Every 3 years, 18 CEHs |
For the full breakdown of why these numbers matter and how they compare to expectations, see the CAET Certification Cost breakdown and the CAET Passing Score guide. If this is your first time hearing these details, the CAET Study Guide walks through the full first-attempt strategy.
The Eight Domains at a Glance
Every CAET question maps to one of eight official topic areas. Memorizing the names alone won't get you to 70%, but knowing how AEA weights the content mentally helps you triage your remaining study time. Here's the full list, condensed for quick recall:
Domain 1: Maintenance Procedures & Regulatory Requirements
Covers documentation, recordkeeping, and the regulatory framework technicians operate under.
- Know the paperwork trail for installed avionics equipment
Domain 2: Basic Electrical Theory & Systems
Foundational circuit theory that underpins every other domain on the exam.
- Ohm's Law application in aircraft circuits
Domain 3: CNS - Communication, Navigation & Surveillance Systems
Radios, transponders, GPS, and related avionics that keep aircraft communicating and traceable.
- Distinguish COM vs. NAV vs. surveillance equipment functions
Domain 4: Flight Instrument & Pitot-Static Systems
Instrument readings that depend on air pressure differentials and related plumbing.
- Trace airspeed and altitude data back to pitot-static sources
Domain 5: Digital Databus Systems
How modern avionics components exchange data across the aircraft.
- Recognize common databus architecture and signal behavior
Domain 6: Aircraft Wiring, Hardware & Installation
Physical installation standards, connector types, and wiring practices.
- Correct termination and installation hardware selection
Domain 7: Tools, Test Equipment & Measurement Techniques
Proper use of multimeters, signal generators, and other bench/field tools.
- Match the right test instrument to the right measurement task
Domain 8: Safety, Housekeeping & Best Practices
Shop safety, ESD precautions, and general professional conduct on the line.
- Identify hazard mitigation steps in avionics shop environments
Want a deeper dive into each of these with sample question styles and study weighting? The CAET Exam Domains Guide covers all eight in far more depth than a one-pager can. And if you're wondering how tough this content actually feels in practice, How Hard Is the CAET Exam? breaks down candidate experience by domain.
Registration, Fees & Attempt Rules
The mechanics of registering matter as much as the content itself, because a missed deadline or misunderstood attempt rule can cost you real money. Here's what to lock in before you schedule anything.
- No prerequisites. There is no minimum experience, education, or prior certification required to sit for the base Level 1 CAET exam.
- Two proctoring paths. AEA identifies GMetrix as its virtual proctoring option ($119) and also permits use of an approved physical proctor ($109).
- Three attempts per purchase. Your exam fee includes up to three attempts. If you don't pass on the first try, you must wait 24 hours before attempt two, and two weeks before attempt three.
- 90-day testing window. All attempts must be completed within 90 days of purchase - plan your study timeline around that clock, not around an open-ended calendar.
Key Takeaway
Don't purchase your exam attempt until your study plan is far enough along that you're confident in a first-attempt pass - the 90-day window starts ticking the moment you buy, not the moment you feel ready.
For a granular walkthrough of every fee scenario and what's actually included in the purchase price, see CAET Certification Cost 2026. If you're still confirming you meet the (minimal) eligibility bar, check CAET Requirements 2026 for the full eligibility rundown.
Exam-Day Logistics Cheat Sheet
Remote testing has specific technical requirements that trip up candidates who assume any laptop will do. Confirm these before exam day, not the morning of:
- Government-issued photo identification is required for check-in.
- A working webcam and microphone are mandatory for proctoring verification.
- You'll be asked to perform a room scan before the exam begins.
- Proctoring software must be installed and functioning ahead of your start time.
- Chromebooks and tablets are not supported - use a standard Windows or Mac computer.
- A non-phone calculator is permitted during the exam.
If exam-day logistics feel like a moving target, the CAET Exam Dates 2026 article covers testing windows and scheduling deadlines in more detail, while a broader difficulty context lives in How Hard Is the CAET Exam?.
Must-Know Topics by Domain
Beyond memorizing domain names, here are the concrete, testable topics candidates consistently need to master. Treat this as your last-mile checklist rather than a full curriculum.
Electrical & Wiring Fundamentals
- Ohm's Law and power calculations applied to simple aircraft circuits
- Wire gauge, connector types, and crimp/termination standards used in installation work
- Continuity and resistance troubleshooting logic
Systems Knowledge
- Functional differences between communication, navigation, and surveillance equipment
- How pitot-static plumbing feeds airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed instruments
- Basic digital databus signal behavior and how avionics components share data
Tools & Procedure
- Correct multimeter and test equipment selection for a given measurement task
- Documentation and recordkeeping expectations tied to regulatory compliance
- Shop safety and housekeeping practices, including hazard identification
Because the exam is entirely multiple-choice, expect scenario-based questions that ask you to identify the correct tool, the correct wiring practice, or the correct regulatory step - not just recall a definition. Practicing with realistic multiple-choice questions before test day, such as those on our CAET practice test platform, helps you get comfortable with that scenario-based question style rather than pure memorization.
Recertification Rules in Brief
CAET certification isn't a one-and-done credential - it runs on a three-year cycle. Here's what keeps it active:
- 18 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) completed within the three-year cycle satisfy the renewal requirement.
- Earning an approved higher CAET credential during the cycle also fulfills the requirement.
- Alternatively, passing the online recertification exam satisfies the same cycle.
Building CEH tracking into your calendar now - rather than scrambling in year three - keeps your credential continuously active without a lapse. This matters if your employer ties job responsibilities or pay grade to an active certification status; see the CAET Salary Guide 2026 for how certification status can factor into compensation conversations, and Is the CAET Certification Worth It? for a broader ROI look.
Final-Week Review Schedule
If your exam date is locked and you're in the last stretch, use this compressed schedule instead of a generic multi-month plan. It's built specifically around the eight CAET domains and the 90-minute, 100-question format.
Electrical & Wiring Core
- Drill Domain 2 (Basic Electrical Theory) and Domain 6 (Wiring, Hardware & Installation) together
- Run timed practice sets to build calculation speed for circuit questions
Systems Focus
- Cover Domain 3 (CNS), Domain 4 (Flight Instrument & Pitot-Static), and Domain 5 (Digital Databus)
- Use diagrams to reinforce how signals move between components
Procedure & Safety
- Review Domain 1 (Maintenance Procedures & Regulatory Requirements), Domain 7 (Tools & Test Equipment), and Domain 8 (Safety & Housekeeping)
- Focus on scenario questions rather than pure definitions
Full Simulation
- Take one full 100-question, 90-minute practice run under real time pressure
- Review missed questions by domain, not just by score
Notice this schedule doesn't rely on generic study hacks - it's sequenced around which CAET domains reinforce each other. For a longer-horizon version of this plan that starts weeks earlier, the CAET Study Guide 2026 lays out the full first-attempt roadmap. And if you want to benchmark your readiness against real outcomes data rather than guesswork, CAET Pass Rate 2026 is worth reading before you commit to an exam date.
FAQ
The CAET exam has 100 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. You need a 70% score to pass.
Virtual proctoring through GMetrix costs $119. Using an AEA-approved physical proctor costs $109. Both options count toward the same purchase, which includes up to three attempts.
Yes. Your purchase covers up to three attempts. You must wait 24 hours before a second attempt and two weeks before a third, and all attempts must be completed within 90 days of purchase.
No. There are no formal prerequisites for the base Level 1 CAET exam, though the content assumes familiarity gained through avionics-related coursework or on-the-job exposure.
CAET renews every three years. You can satisfy the renewal requirement with 18 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs), an approved higher CAET credential, or by passing the online recertification exam.