INRAT Exam Scoring: How It Works and What You Need to Pass

The INRAT scoring is simple. 50 questions, each worth 2%. You need 70% to pass. That means 35 correct answers — you can miss up to 15 and still walk out with a pass.

How the marking works

Each question is worth 2 percentage points. There's no partial credit, no bonus questions, and no penalty for wrong answers. If you're unsure about a question, guess — a blank answer and a wrong answer both score zero, so there's no reason to leave anything unanswered.

The exam is computer-based. When you submit, your score appears immediately on screen. You'll see your overall percentage and a breakdown by category. Transport Canada does not provide the specific questions you missed — just the category-level breakdown. For a full breakdown of what each category covers, see the 13 INRAT exam categories.

What the category breakdown tells you

The result printout shows your score in each of the 13 exam categories. If you pass, this is still useful information — a 70% overall with a 50% in one category means that category is a genuine weakness. If you ever need to retest (unlikely), or if the same knowledge is tested in a future exam, you'll know where to focus.

If you fail, the category breakdown tells you exactly where the marks went. Most candidates who fail are surprised to find it's concentrated in two or three categories rather than spread evenly across all 13. That's actually the better outcome — it means targeted prep in the next round will move the needle.

How your result is used

A pass on the INRAT is required before Transport Canada will issue your instrument rating. It's one piece of a larger set of requirements — you also need the minimum flight hours, the flight test, and the medical. The written exam result doesn't expire once you have it, but you'll need to complete the flight test within 24 months of your last instrument flight test attempt.

Your result is recorded in Transport Canada's system. If you apply for an instrument rating and the written exam result is missing or expired, your application won't proceed. Keep a copy of your result for your records.

What happens if you fail

You can retake the exam. There's no limit on attempts. Transport Canada requires a waiting period between attempts — your exam centre will confirm the current requirement when you book. Most candidates who fail and come back with a more structured prep approach pass on the second attempt.

The category breakdown from your first attempt is the single most useful input for your second round of preparation. Don't ignore it.

Should you aim for exactly 70%?

No. Aim for 80% in practice. The buffer matters on exam day — nerves, slightly different question phrasing, and the fatigue that sets in around the two-hour mark can all take a few percentage points off your performance. Candidates who practice to 70% and pass in practice often find themselves at 66% on the real exam. How long you need to prepare depends on where you're starting from. Practice to 80% and a 5-point drop still gets you through.