Agricultural Technology and Mechanical SystemsFFA practice exam and study guide for 2026-27

About this event

Each member takes a 60-minute written exam of 25 problem-solving and multiple-choice questions, 2 points each (50 points). Each systems area gets five questions: three math and two systems. Formulas are provided and a calculator is required. Each member then does five hands-on activities, one per area (Machinery and Equipment, Electricity, Compact Equipment, Structures, Environment and Natural Resources), 25 minutes and 30 points each. The tasks are not announced ahead. In the team activity (400 points) the team solves a multi-system problem with provided materials: teamwork process 100, a report written on the laptop 50, and the finished product 250. Its time is not printed. Each member gets a quarter of the team activity score. Teams have four members, and all four scores count: 300 points each, 1,200 for the team. FFA's grades 7 to 12 rule applies, and the handbook sets no other grade limit. Instead of a dress code, students wear safety clothing: long pants, a long-sleeved cotton shirt or coveralls, closed shoes, Z87+ safety glasses with side shields, and full welding gear to weld. Each student brings a clipboard, two No. 2 pencils and a silent battery calculator; phones and smartwatches cannot be used as calculators. Each team brings one laptop with Microsoft Office and no internet. Other tools are provided. State winners go on to the national event at the 100th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct 27 to 30, 2027, in Indianapolis.

1. 1

   Find your weakest area

   Take the 7-question check below: one question from each of the 7 areas. It tells you where to start.

   Start the check
2. 2

   Learn every area

   Every area of the official handbook is below. Each has a short lesson, flashcards and practice, plus free reading.

   See the areas
3. 3

   Practice until every bar is full

   Practice gives you one question at a time and leans toward the areas you miss. Your readiness meter fills as you get them right in every area.

   Practice
4. 4

   Take a full exam at the real pace

   25 questions in 60 minutes, the official length. Your readiness meter counts your last 3 full exams from the past 30 days, and 90% fills each one.

   Take a practice exam

The areas of the exam

1. Machinery and Equipment

   Read the lessonFlashcardsPractice this area
2. Electricity

   Read the lessonFlashcardsPractice this area
3. Compact Equipment

   Read the lessonFlashcardsPractice this area
4. Structures

   Read the lessonFlashcardsPractice this area
5. Environment and Natural Resources

   Read the lessonFlashcardsPractice this area
6. General Cluster Skills

   Read the lessonFlashcardsPractice this area
7. Shop safety and PPE

   Read the lessonFlashcardsPractice this area

Exam format

• Time limit60 minutes
• Questions25 questions
• TeamTeam of 4

Competition levels: District Career Development Events, then State Career Development Events, then National FFA Convention & Expo

Official reference books

Listed in the official FFA handbook. Your school or public library may have them.

• FOS, John Deere (paid book)
• FMO, John Deere (paid book)
• Agricultural Power and Machinery, CD format, CEV Multimedia, LTD (paid book)
• Agricultural Engineering Technology (ASABE), Springer Science + Business Media, LLC (paid book)
• Mechanics in Agriculture, Prentice Hall (paid book)
• Agricultural Mechanics Fundamentals and Applications, Delmar and Thompson (paid book)
• Modern Agricultural Mechanics, V3, Prentice Hall (paid book)
• Developing Shop Safety Skills, American Association for Vocational Instructional Materials (paid book)
• Power Tool Safety and Operation, Hobar Publications (paid book)
• Practical Farm Buildings, Prentice Hall (paid book)
• National Electrical Code, latest edition, NFPA (paid book)
• Ag Wiring Handbook, Rural Electricity Resource Council (paid book)
• Mechanical Technology in Agriculture, Prentice Hall (paid book)
• Agricultural Mechanics and Technology Systems, 2nd Edition (paid book)
• Agricultural Technical Systems and Mechanics, Koel, Maur, Moniz and Radcliff, American Technical Publishers (ATP) (paid book)
• Industry websites: Briggs and Stratton, Caterpillar, John Deere, New Holland, Lincoln Electric

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