The FFA checkride is a more common name for the practical test, in which you are tested on your knowledge of being a private pilot before you are allowed to be in control of an aircraft without supervision.
From the moment you enter the examination center to the time that you leave it, it should take on average four hours. The first 30 minutes will be taken for the pre-checkride paperwork, which won’t really be in an exam setting.
The next hour and a half will be taken by the oral portion of the exam before a 15-minute break to prepare for the practical position of the test. After your break, you will spend another hour and a half on the flight position of the test, with a 15 minute debrief and paperwork section at the end.
Of course, these are average times and your checkride might take longer or shorter than these times. You might also have had your oral exam on another date which will significantly reduce the time you’re in the test center.
You might also speed up the process by being a fast tester. For example, if you complete all of the oral questions in half the time allotted to you, you’ll be able to get to your checkride much faster.