Studying for the exam

Free question pools, apps and classes.

Every question and every answer on every amateur exam is published in advance. The pools are revised on a rolling four-year cycle, one class per year.

The free tools everyone uses

  • HamStudy.org — spaced-repetition study through the whole pool, with
  • progress tracking and practice exams. Free on the web; the mobile app is a few dollars.

  • QRZ and eHam practice exams — free randomised tests.
  • ARRL and Gordon West manuals — paid books that explain the material rather than just drilling
  • it. Worth it if you want to understand the answers.

A realistic plan for Technician

  • Two to four weeks, 20–30 minutes a day.
  • Study until practice exams sit consistently above 85%.
  • Do not try to memorise the maths section; there are only a handful of formulas, and Ohm's law
  • covers most of them.

Classes

Many clubs run free Technician classes over a weekend or a few weeknights, often ending with an exam session on the last day. Some run "ham cram" one-day formats. Find one through a local club.

Studying for General and Extra

The same tools work. General adds propagation, antennas and HF operating practice. Extra adds circuit analysis, more advanced antenna theory and a heavier rules section — most people need double the study time for it.

Last updated Aug 27, 2026. Page history · Sign in to edit