PERSONAL DOCUMENTS
The applicant's name must match across all documentation, i.e.:
- Government issued photo ID
- Pilot Certificate
- Medical
- Knowledge Test
- IACRA/8710 application

Any mismatches such as partial names, missing middle names, using middle initials, nicknames, missing suffixes etc., will immediately disqualify the candidate.

Mismatches between Nationality on current pilot certificate and 8710 application, are also disqualifying. E.g. Citizenship was changed between applying for student pilot certificate and private pilot certificate and applicant did not have it updated with their local FSDO.

ENDORSEMENTS
I often find missing endorsements or verbiage that doesn't match the current version of AC 61-65. CFIs who are thoroughly familiar with this advisory circular and copy endorsements directly from the document, rarely have an issue with incorrect endorsements.

For easy reference, here is a template of the endorsements required for each certificate and rating.

Helpful Endorsement Notes:
*I must check the applicant received the appropriate student pilot endorsements as well as the practical test endorsements. 

*The CFI who signs an applicant’s IACRA (including retests) must also endorse them for the practical test and provided training within two calendar months.

*Preprinted endorsements in paper logbooks are often old and do not match current verbiage of AC 61-65. Carefully review the verbiage to confirm it matches current language or use new endorsement templates.

*Nicknames are not acceptable on endorsements; it must be the applicant’s legal name including middle initial/name.

*Include cat/class of certificate sought on endorsement, e.g., Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine Land practical test.

‍*Students need solo endorsements for Make and Model aircraft. If your student soloed in one M/M, then switched aircraft, they need new solo endorsements.

GROUND RECORDS
The FARs specify aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency areas of operation of each certificate require a record of ground training. Showing up without these ground training records is like showing up without the flight training records for your certificate or rating. Endorsements do not suffice for meeting the ground record requirements.

Applicants who cannot provide a record of ground training for the particular certificate's applicable areas of operation, will not be able to begin the test.

You will find a printable, logbook-sized template for each certificates' ground record requirements here.

AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE
Below are a few common mistakes that disqualify applicants before they can even start the test:

General
Hours calculated incorrectly causing the applicant to be short of requirements.

Relying on software-generated analysis, such as ForeFlight's Progress toward Checkride reports, to determine completion of aeronautical experience requirements. Due to imperfect algorithms, these reports can give erroneous indication of an experience requirement being met. E.g., A private applicant logged a cross-country that that had a departure during daylight and arrival at nighttime. The report counts this flight as the dual night cross-country even though the entire flight was not conducted during nighttime conditions. Applicant and CFI review the report and incorrectly assume they meet the night cross-country requirement without confirming required conditions were met; i.e., the whole cross-country must be conducted at night.

Sport Pilot
Cross Country Flight Training Experience 61.93(e)(12)
- Applicant flies a light-sport aircraft with VH >87 knots but did not receive and record the instrument training required for solo cross-country flights

Private Pilot 61.109(a)
Solo Flight Time
- Applicant does not have all required solo endorsement records that pertain to the dates of their solo flights
- Applicant was not issued new solo endorsements for a different make and model after switching training aircraft
- Applicant does not have solo cross-country flight endorsements for each cross-country flight they completed

Night Flight Training
- Night landings were not full stop
- Destination airport was not 50NM from departure airport
- Applicant departed on night cross country during daylight hours, became night en route

Simulated Instrument
- Partially completed in an AATD or BATD simulator; the full 3 hours must be in an airplane

Instrument Rating 61.65(d)
- 250NM IFR cross country includes stop at an airport without conducting an IAP or same types of IAPs conducted, e.g., only RNAVs flown
- Applicant counts non-PIC, dual cross-country time acquired during private pilot training towards 50-hour PIC cross-country requirement
- Cross-country time is logged on a flight between multiple airports without having a leg that is 50NM from the original point of departure

Commercial Pilot 61.129(a)
- 61.129(a)(4)(ii) Night landings completed at airport without an operating control tower or night hours not completed in VFR conditions (no instrument)
- 61.129(a)(4)(i) & (ii) Both solo flights and flights as PIC with authorized instructor on board are counted to meet 10-hour requirement
- 61.129(a)(4) Applicant logs dual received while completing 10 hours of PIC with authorized instructor on board
- 61.129(a)(3)(iii) & (iv) Dual day and dual night 100NM, 2+ hour, cross-countries are combined and logged as one flight
- 61.129(a)(3)(i) Missing record of 10 hours commercial instrument training because applicant and CFI assume IFR rating fulfills requirement
- 61.129(a)(3)(ii) Complex or TAA time without an instructor on board is counted to meet 10-hour training requirement
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IACRA/8710

Please review the linked example above, of common mistakes on applicants' IACRA applications.
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