Customer Reviews (115)

Ezra_1 • 2025-01-29T08:58:28-07:00

i used sportys as my sole study guide and i passed with an 88%. sportys is basically an exact replica of the exact things you’ll be tested on by the faa. would recommend

Rosepatiot • 2024-10-20T16:25:50-07:00

Maybe 1 out of 10 questions relate to the FAA exam. I got a 75 on my real exam but was constantly getting 95-100 on sportys.

zdub2390 • 2024-10-15T07:58:55-07:00

I read some positive reviews here and saw YouTube videos mentioning that this was essentially similar to Sheppard air FAA test dumps. Took the written 10/2024 and I’d say only ~40% of the questions I saw were in this app. The app is great for studying and making sure you understand the format and how to solve the real questions, but DO NOT just memorize these answers because you will fail the written.

Summary of Key Insights

  • Sporty's Private Pilot Test Prep app is generally well-received and considered a valuable tool for preparing for the FAA Private Pilot written exam. The app's strengths lie in its ease of use, comprehensive question database, detailed explanations, and ability to simulate the actual exam environment.
  • A significant portion of users report passing their exam with high scores after using the app, often as their primary study resource.
  • However, some users report issues with outdated questions, app crashes, lack of progress syncing across devices, and limitations in customizing practice tests. There are also concerns about the accuracy of some medical questions.
  • Overall sentiment is positive, with a high percentage of 5-star ratings (67.8%). The score distribution shows a clear skew towards positive ratings. However, the negative reviews highlight areas needing improvement to maintain user satisfaction and accuracy.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 115 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews span from 2019 to 10/2024 (based on review dates).
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis involved sentiment analysis based on star ratings and keyword extraction from review text to identify recurring themes, pain points, and feature requests. The frequency of mentions was used to prioritize issues.

Key User Pain Points

  • Outdated/Incorrect Questions: Several users reported encountering outdated or incorrect questions, which can lead to confusion and potentially incorrect answers on the actual exam. This is a high-severity issue.
  • App Crashes: A few users experienced app crashes, leading to frustration and loss of progress. This is a high-severity issue.
  • Lack of Progress Syncing: Users who use the app on multiple devices (phone and tablet) are frustrated by the lack of progress syncing.
  • Limited Test Customization: Users desire more control over practice tests, such as selecting specific topics or a custom number of questions. The repetition of questions in test mode is a recurring complaint.
  • Inaccurate Medical Questions: One user pointed out that the wording of medical questions is incorrect.
  • Figures/Sectionals Difficult to Use on Smaller Screens: Using sectional charts and figures on smaller screens (like iPhones) for cross-country planning questions is difficult.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Progress Syncing Across Devices: The ability to sync progress between different devices (e.g., iPhone and iPad) is a highly requested feature.
  • Saving/Flagging Questions: Users want to be able to save or flag specific questions (missed or difficult ones) for later review across sessions.
  • More Test Customization Options: More flexible practice test options, such as selecting specific topics, a custom number of questions, or only flagged questions, are desired.
  • Updated Question Database: Keeping the question database up-to-date with the latest FAA questions is crucial.
  • Ability to test only flagged questions.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Comprehensive Question Database: Many users praise the app for its extensive question database, which closely mirrors the questions on the actual FAA exam.
  • Detailed Explanations: The detailed explanations for both correct and incorrect answers are considered very helpful for understanding the underlying concepts.
  • Ease of Use: The app is generally described as easy to use and navigate.
  • Effective Study Tool: Numerous users report passing their written exam with high scores after using the app.
  • Offline Access: The ability to study without an internet connection is a significant advantage.
  • Multiple Study Modes: Users appreciate the different study modes (Learning, Flashcard, Test) that cater to different learning styles.
  • Good Value for Money: The app is considered a worthwhile investment for its price.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Update Question Database: Immediately review and update the question database to ensure accuracy and relevance to the current FAA exam. Address the outdated medical questions specifically.
  • Fix App Crashes: Investigate and fix the reported app crashes to prevent user frustration and loss of progress.
  • Implement Progress Syncing: Implement progress syncing across devices using iCloud or a similar service to enhance user convenience.

Medium Priority:

  • Enhance Test Customization: Add more flexible practice test options, such as selecting specific topics, a custom number of questions, or focusing on flagged questions.
  • Improve Figure/Chart Usability: Optimize the display of figures and sectional charts for smaller screens or provide alternative methods for measuring distances and headings (e.g., integrated tools).
  • Implement Question Saving/Flagging: Allow users to save or flag questions for later review across sessions.

Low Priority:

  • UI/UX Improvements: Address minor UI/UX issues, such as the placement of the "diagram" and "quit" buttons.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Interactive Charting Tools: Develop interactive charting tools within the app that allow users to plot courses, measure distances, and calculate headings directly on the screen.
  • Personalized Learning Paths: Implement an adaptive learning system that adjusts the difficulty and content based on the user's performance.
  • Augmented Reality Study Aid: Develop an AR feature that overlays sectional charts and flight information onto the real world, allowing users to practice navigation skills in a more immersive way.

Trends and Observations

  • Positive Sentiment: The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, indicating that the app is generally effective and well-liked.
  • Long-Term Value: Many users express satisfaction with the app even years after using it, suggesting that it provides lasting value.
  • Supplementary Tool: While some users rely solely on the app, most recommend using it as a supplement to other study resources, such as textbooks or ground school courses.

Conclusion

Sporty's Private Pilot Test Prep app is a valuable tool for aspiring pilots preparing for their FAA written exam. While the app has several strengths, addressing the identified pain points, particularly those related to outdated questions and app stability, is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and ensuring the app remains a reliable study resource. Implementing the requested features, such as progress syncing and enhanced test customization, would further enhance the user experience and solidify the app's position as a leading test preparation tool. Overall, the app is recommended with the caveat that users should be aware of the potential for outdated questions and supplement their studies with other resources.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/private-pilot-test-prep/id414141811?uo=2