Direct to Full Licence Exam Practice

The fast track to full privileges. One exam, complete qualification, no prerequisites.

Challenging Exam This is an intensive exam covering Foundation, Intermediate, and Full syllabus content. Ensure you have a strong technical foundation before attempting.

Start practising · Topic Study · Sample questions

What's on the Paper

  1. Licensing conditions and station identification (12 questions): Licence scope and call signs, supervision, messages and encryption, interference and log keeping, remote operation, EMF assessments and Schedule 1.
  2. Operating practices and procedures (6 questions): Calling CQ, call sign prefixes, Q codes and RST, logging in UTC, band plans, repeaters, digital voice, satellites, and operating abroad under CEPT.
  3. Technical aspects (10 questions): Resistor networks, capacitors and inductors, time constants, reactance, sampling, transformers, tuned circuits and Q, transistors, oscillators and regulators, with resonance calculations.
  4. Transmitters and receivers (11 questions): Modulation, transmitter block diagrams, DDS, SSB filters, PA linearity, key clicks, superhets, AGC, SDR and I/Q, and transverters, with image-frequency sums.
  5. Feeders and antennas (8 questions): Feeder loss and velocity factor, baluns, polar diagrams and EIRP, traps, SWR and return loss, matching units and quarter-wave transformers, with ERP sums.
  6. Propagation (5 questions): Sky waves and the D, E, F1 and F2 layers, polarisation, MUF and LUF, NVIS, sporadic E, moonbounce, aurora and link budgets.
  7. Electromagnetic compatibility (10 questions): Blocking and cross-modulation, non-radio sources, routes of entry, image interference, filters, ferrites and braid breakers, antenna siting, vehicles and complaints.
  8. Safety (8 questions): Mains plugs, fuses and RCBOs, live working, batteries, tools, ladders, lightning, portable operation, risk assessment and generators.
  9. Measurements and construction (5 questions): Meter shunts and multipliers, PEP, SWR meters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, decibels, the resistor colour code and soldering.

How the Exam Works

Format
75 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, marked in two parts: Part 1 (licensing and operating, 18 questions) needs 14 correct, and Part 2 (the other 57) needs 36. You must pass both.
Where
On a computer, at home with a remote invigilator or at a club with an invigilator in the room.
Results
A provisional result as soon as you finish, confirmed after about six working days. You then apply to Ofcom for your licence online.
Formulae
All are given, but they aren't labelled or explained: you have to recognise which one you need, and you may have to rearrange it.
Reference booklet
The RSGB reference booklet (EX320) is provided, with Schedule 1 of the licence, the band plan and the formulae. Our quizzes show the same booklet.
Before you sit it
No earlier exam is needed. The RSGB assumes science and maths at about a strong GCSE pass (the top three grades).

How Many People Pass

Source: RSGB. Pass rates for every level since 2022

Where People Lose Marks

On this site, people score lowest in measurements and construction (56% of answers right) and feeders and antennas (61%). Part 1 sets the higher bar: licensing and operating need 14 of 18, against about two in three for the rest of the paper, so know Schedule 1 and the licence conditions well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Direct to Full exam?

The Direct to Full exam allows you to obtain a Full amateur radio licence without first getting Foundation and Intermediate licences. It combines content from all three licence levels into a single, comprehensive examination.

How many questions are on the Direct to Full exam?

The Direct to Full exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. You have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete it. It is marked in two parts and you must pass both: 14 of 18 in Part 1 and 36 of 57 in Part 2.

What is the pass rate for the Direct to Full exam?

According to the RSGB, 82.1% of Direct to Full candidates passed in 2025 (32 of 39), and 85.7% in 2024.

Is there a formula sheet in the Direct to Full exam?

Yes. All the formulae are in the RSGB reference booklet (EX320), but they aren't labelled or explained: you have to recognise which one you need, and you may have to rearrange it.

Who should take Direct to Full?

Direct to Full is ideal for experienced electronics professionals, those with strong technical backgrounds, or anyone who wants to reach Full licence level quickly. It requires comprehensive knowledge of all syllabus topics.

Is Direct to Full harder than taking all three exams?

The exam covers the same material but in one sitting. Some find it more efficient to study everything at once, while others prefer the progressive approach. Choose based on your learning style and available study time.

Not Sure About Direct to Full?

The progressive route (Foundation → Intermediate → Full) lets you get on the air sooner and build knowledge gradually. Many operators prefer this approach as it provides operating experience at each stage. Start with Foundation instead →