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Here is essential guidance on your first "checkride!" 

Preparation = CONFIDENCE & SUCCESS!
You will impress your FAA Pilot Examiner!

Know the "rules of engagement" Read the ACS (pdf)" and work hard to stay calm. You did all these maneuvers to proficiency with your CFI and every applicant starts an FAA evaluation with 100% (you are *already* a pilot when you submit the IACRA application and start any evaluation). A good examiner arrives at the checkride with the assumption that you have all the skill, knowledge and judgment required to pass the test. All errors (and there will be errors: allowed and expected) are only a "mark down." A 70% though undesirable, is still a "pass." Your DPE is required to emphasize: "perfection is not the standard" And don't psych yourself out with self-critical "over-thinking." Be a confident PIC; you got this! TAP THE PHOTO BELOW
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Know Your Airspace!

A-D is Easy: Work On E & G
(Where we usually fly!)


Know your airspace!
Know your airspace!

And about those "aviation acronyms"- better know more than the rote recitation!
Know Airworthiness: 91.205 & 91.213(d)


 


Flight Test Anxiety

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Flight portion

Your best overview for the flight portion of any flight evaluation is to be meticulous and methodical (the conservative response rule). Use a checklist for every operation and if you are not sure about anything ASK. This is not a time to impress your examiner by cutting corners or being fast. Discussing "checklist philosophy" ("do list" vs "checklist") is important.

In flight remember that limitations (mostly 10 degrees/100 feet) are like the lines on a highway. Going over the line is undesirable but not necessarily an immediate failure (the examiner will clearly state if/when you failed). "Failure to promptly correct" is what the ACS defines as failure. Demonstrate to the DPE you are aware of any deviations and fixing them promptly (remember "perfection is not the standard"). If you are "consistently exceeding standards" you will probably be disapproved ("more training!") Exceeding any aircraft limitation (flap speed is common) is an immediate failure so give yourself a margine on these. Know all your performance speeds and the bold faced checklist items (immediate action items) should be memorized.

What the ACS is Trying To Tell You!

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What the ACS is Trying To Tell You (Part 2)!

Other Examiner's advice from various websites: