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RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep

Navigation, tides, colregs and safety for the Day Skipper theory papers.

Written against the published specification.

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Pass mark 16/25 60 minutes RYA syllabus-aligned How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by RYA syllabus-aligned. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
Don't cram it, drill it. Ten questions a topic beats an hour re-reading.
Free practice questions
Try 3 real RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 222 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. A position is plotted as 50°25.6'N 003°32.1'W. Which figure represents minutes of latitude?
  • A.  50
  • B.  25.6
  • C.  003
  • D.  32.1
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. 25.6
Latitude is given first as degrees and minutes north or south of the equator, so 50 is degrees and 25.6 is minutes of latitude. Longitude follows as degrees and minutes east or west of the Greenwich meridian, here 003 degrees and 32.1 minutes west.
Q2. A drying height of 2.0m is marked on the chart. If the height of tide is 1.2m, how much water is over that spot?
  • A.  0.8m
  • B.  3.2m
  • C.  2.0m
  • D.  1.2m
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. 0.8m
A drying height is shown above Chart Datum, so it must be subtracted from the height of tide: 1.2m − 2.0m gives a negative result of −0.8m, meaning the spot is still uncovered by 0.8m of drying rock. This is a classic trap where sailors forget drying heights are above datum, not below it.
Q3. What is the light characteristic and colour scheme of a South cardinal mark?
  • A.  Continuous quick flashing white light, black over yellow
  • B.  Group of 6 flashes plus a long flash, white light, yellow over black
  • C.  Group of 6 flashes plus a long flash, white light, black over yellow
  • D.  Isolated danger character, white light, black with red bands
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Group of 6 flashes plus a long flash, white light, black over yellow
South cardinal marks are painted yellow over black, with cone topmarks pointing down, and show a white group of six flashes followed by one long flash (Q(6)+LFl or VQ(6)+LFl), the long flash acting as a memory aid like the '6 o'clock' position on a clock face. This distinguishes it from West, which has no long flash after nine flashes... actually West shows 9 flashes plus a long flash.
Exam mode
Full mock exam
25 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
The first 8 of 25 questions are free, with your score on them. Finishing the paper, your result against the pass mark and every answer explained come with the paid version.
Practice material only. This is revision practice, not official training, assessment or certification, and not a substitute for the required course or supervised experience. Always confirm the current requirements with the official awarding body or test provider before relying on it.
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Topic drills
Ten quick questions on one topic, marked instantly with explanations.
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Charts, position & the compass · 38
Tides — heights & streams · 36
Buoyage, lights & pilotage · 37
Colregs — steering & sailing rules · 37
Weather & passage planning · 37
Safety, anchoring & emergencies · 37

Who has to sit the RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep

Who needs a RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep?

Prospective yacht skippers and keen crew; highly recommended before the RYA Day Skipper practical course.

The real RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep: format

How long is the RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep?

The real RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep lasts 180 minutes. Our mock uses 25 questions in 60 minutes.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep cost?

Real exam fee: Classroom: £299-£540; Online: £149-£360.

How hard is it

What is the RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep pass rate?

Real exam first-time pass rate: 90%. Difficulty: Moderate, achievable with proper preparation and study.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep?

Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep: common questions
Frequently asked
How many questions are in the RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep?
The exam has 25 questions. Every Revision Robin mock uses the same 25-question format so your practice matches the real thing.
What is the pass mark for the RYA Day Skipper Theory Prep?
You need 16 out of 25 correct to pass, which is about 64%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with RYA syllabus-aligned.