Alaska written test scoring: 16 of 20, testing at home

Alaska publishes the shape of its general knowledge test outright, which most states do not. The DMV practice knowledge test portal states the format directly: 20 questions, 16 correct answers to pass, and 25 minutes allowed. That works out at 80 percent and a margin of exactly four wrong answers, with roughly 75 seconds a question if you use the whole clock. The portal is run by the DMV itself rather than by a prep vendor, so the numbers come from the agency that scores the real exam. There is no separate road sign rule inside that score in Alaska, meaning sign questions count the same as any other item and a weak run on signs can be carried by the rest of the paper.

The instruction permit written test can be taken at home through KnowTo Drive Online, which the DMV links to, and Alaska residents can use it from age 16 for the Class D test. It costs $11.50 for each attempt, against no separate written test charge at a DMV office where you pay only the $15 permit fee. The trade is the retry rule. Online you can try again the same day, up to four further attempts, but a fifth failure or a disqualification blocks online testing for a year and sends you to an office. In an office a failed written test can be retaken the following day at no extra written test charge.