FCC Element 3 Exam Practice

General radiotelephone theory. Pass Element 3, with Element 1, for the General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL). Practice with the official question pool until you know every answer.

Start practicing · Topic Study · Sample questions

What's on the Exam

Principles (8 questions): Electrical Elements; Magnetism; Materials; Resistance, Capacitance & Inductance; Semi-conductors; Electrical Measurements; Waveforms; Conduction.
Electrical math (10 questions): Ohm’s Law; Frequency; Waveforms; Power Relationships; RC Time Constants; Impedance Networks; Calculations.
Components (10 questions): Photoconductive Devices; Capacitors; Transformers; Voltage Regulators, Zener Diodes; SCRs, Triacs; Diodes; Transistors; Light Emitting Diodes; Devices.
Circuits (4 questions): R-L-C Circuits; Op Amps; Phase Locked Loops (PLLs); Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs); Mixers; Schematics.
Digital logic (8 questions): Types of Logic; Logic Gates; Logic Levels; Flip-Flops; Multivibrators; Memory; Microprocessors; Counters, Dividers, Converters.
Receivers (10 questions): Receiver Theory; RF Amplifiers; Oscillators; Mixers; IF Amplifiers; Filters and IF Amplifiers; Filters; Detectors; Audio & Squelch Circuits; Receiver Performance.
Transmitters (6 questions): Amplifiers; Oscillators & Modulators; Resonance - Tuning Networks; SSB Transmitters; Technology.
Modulation (3 questions): Frequency Modulation; SSB Modulation; Pulse Modulation.
Power sources (3 questions): Batteries; Motors & Generators.
Antennas (5 questions): Antenna Theory; Voltage, Current and Power Relationships; Frequency and Bandwidth; Transmission Lines; Effective Radiated Power.
Aircraft (6 questions): Distance Measuring Equipment; VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR); Instrument Landing System (ILS); Automatic Direction Finding Equipment (ADF) & Transponders; Aircraft Antenna Systems and Frequencies; Equipment Functions.
Installation, maintenance & repair (8 questions): Indicating Meters; Test Equipment; Oscilloscopes; Specialized Instruments; Measurement Procedures; Repair Procedures; Installation Codes & Procedures; Troubleshooting.
Communications technology (3 questions): Types of Transmissions; Coding and Multiplexing; Signal Processing, Software and Codes.
Marine (5 questions): VHF; MF-HF, SSB-SITOR; Survival Craft Equipment: VHF, SARTs & EPIRBs; FAX, NAVTEX; NMEA Data.
Radar (5 questions): RADAR Theory; Components; Range, Pulse Width & Repetition Rate; Antennas & Waveguides; RADAR Equipment.
Satellite (4 questions): Low Earth Orbit Systems; INMARSAT Communications Systems; GPS.
Safety (2 questions): Radiation Exposure; Safety Steps.

How the Exam Works

Format: 100 multiple-choice questions, one from each key topic of the Element 3 question pool. You pass with 75 correct (75%).
Questions: Every question comes word for word from the FCC's Element 3 pool (600 questions, approved by the FCC on June 25, 2009). The answers do too, though their order can change.
Where: At an exam session run by a COLEM, one of the organizations the FCC authorizes to give commercial operator exams.
Cost: Each COLEM sets its own exam fee.
License: Passing gives the General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), with Element 1. The COLEM files your application with the FCC.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Element 3 exam?

100 multiple-choice questions, one from each of the 100 key topics in the Element 3 pool. You need 75 correct to pass (75%).

Where do the questions come from?

From the FCC's Element 3 question pool, which the FCC publishes. Every exam question and its answers are taken from it word for word. The current pool has 600 questions, approved by the FCC on June 25, 2009.

What does the GROL let you do?

It is the license for adjusting, maintaining and repairing licensed radiotelephone transmitters in the aviation, maritime and international fixed public radio services, as 47 CFR Part 13 sets out.

After Element 3

Element 8 adds the Ship Radar Endorsement to your license, for servicing ship radar. The Element 8 exam