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MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination

This examination is for aspiring deck officers seeking to gain their first UK Certificate of Competency (CoC). It assesses the essential knowledge required for safe navigation and watchkeeping duties at an operational level.

Written against the published specification.

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Pass mark 36/60 120 minutes Real test fee approx £150 IAMI (International Association of Maritime Institutions) on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination 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 IAMI (International Association of Maritime Institutions) on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
Start with a free topic drill, see where you stand, then unlock the full mock.
Free practice questions
Try 3 real MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 203 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. Which stage of voyage planning, as defined by the acronym APEM, involves the gathering of all relevant information such as charts, publications, and weather forecasts before laying any courses?
  • A.  Execution
  • B.  Planning
  • C.  Appraisal
  • D.  Monitoring
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Appraisal
The Appraisal stage is the initial information-gathering phase where all potential hazards and operational constraints for the intended voyage are identified.
Q2. When using the Admiralty Tide Tables (ATT) to find the height of tide at a Secondary Port, what information must you first obtain from the Standard Port?
  • A.  The magnetic variation for the Standard Port.
  • B.  The times and heights of High and Low Water for the required date.
  • C.  The meteorological forecast for the Standard Port.
  • D.  The name of the Harbour Master at the Standard Port.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. The times and heights of High and Low Water for the required date.
Calculations for Secondary Ports are based on applying time and height differences to the predicted HW and LW data of their designated Standard Port.
Q3. A vessel is in the dangerous semi-circle of a tropical revolving storm in the Southern Hemisphere. What is the recommended avoidance action?
  • A.  Bring the wind on the port bow and proceed at best speed
  • B.  Bring the wind on the starboard quarter and proceed at best speed
  • C.  Bring the wind on the starboard bow and proceed at best speed
  • D.  Run with the wind and sea directly astern
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. Bring the wind on the port bow and proceed at best speed
In the Southern Hemisphere's dangerous semi-circle, the correct evasive action is to place the wind on the port bow (approx. 20-40°) and maintain as much speed as is safe to do so.
Exam mode
Full mock exam
60 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
The first 8 of 60 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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Voyage Planning & Chartwork · 29
Tides & Currents · 30
Navigational Meteorology · 29
Radar & ARPA · 30
Electronic Navigation Systems · 29
IALA Buoyage & Lights · 19
Magnetic & Gyro Compasses · 18
COLREGs & Bridge Procedures · 19

Who has to sit the MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination

Who needs a MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination?

Candidates for the MCA Officer of the Watch (OOW Yachts <3000 GT) Certificate of Competency.

The real MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination: format

How many questions are in the MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination?

The real MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination has 6 questions and lasts 150 minutes. Our mock uses 60 questions in 120 minutes.

What is the MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination pass mark?

Real exam pass mark: 70% in Part A, 50% in Part B, 60% overall. Our mock marks you at 36 out of 60, the threshold we mark against.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination cost?

Real exam fee: Approx. £175.00 (confirm with centre)

How hard is it

How hard is the MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination?

Difficulty: Tough exam; probably the most difficult for MCA license.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination?

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.
MCA OOW Navigation and Radar Written Examination: common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 120 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
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 IAMI (International Association of Maritime Institutions) on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).