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RYA Yachtmaster Theory Prep

Offshore-level theory: secondary ports, tidal vectors, colregs in depth.

Written against the published specification.

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Pass mark 18/25 75 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 Yachtmaster 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 Yachtmaster Theory Prep questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 210 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. When calculating tidal predictions for a secondary port using Admiralty Tide Tables, what is the correct first step?
  • A.  Find the times and heights of HW and LW at the associated Standard Port for the day required
  • B.  Apply the rule of twelfths directly to the secondary port
  • C.  Look up the secondary port's own set of daily tidal curves
  • D.  Calculate the tidal stream rate at the secondary port
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. Find the times and heights of HW and LW at the associated Standard Port for the day required
Secondary ports are not given full daily predictions; you must first obtain the Standard Port's HW/LW times and heights for the day, then apply the secondary port's own time and height differences to derive its figures. Secondary ports never have a printed daily curve of their own.
Q2. A true course of 045° is required. Variation is 6°W and deviation for the approximate compass heading is 3°W. What compass course should be steered?
  • A.  042°(C)
  • B.  054°(C)
  • C.  048°(C)
  • D.  036°(C)
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. 054°(C)
Going from true to compass, westerly errors are added: 045°T + 6°W = 051°M, then 051°M + 3°W = 054°C. Subtracting instead of adding when converting true-to-compass is the usual mistake, which would wrongly give 036°.
Q3. Which vessel is exhibiting the correct shapes if she shows a black ball, diamond, ball in a vertical line by day?
  • A.  A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre
  • B.  A vessel engaged in fishing
  • C.  A vessel constrained by her draught
  • D.  A vessel not under command
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre
Rule 27 assigns the ball-diamond-ball day shapes to a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. A vessel not under command shows two balls in a vertical line, and a vessel constrained by draught shows a cylinder.
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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Advanced tidal calculations & secondary ports · 35
Course to steer & estimated position · 35
Colregs in depth incl. lights & sound signals · 36
Meteorology for offshore passages · 35
Passage planning & pilotage · 34
Safety, stability & heavy weather · 35

Who has to sit the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Prep

Who needs a RYA Yachtmaster Theory Prep?

Candidates for RYA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Prep cost?

Real exam fee: £325 (online) to £1000 (residential)

How hard is it

How hard is the RYA Yachtmaster Theory Prep?

Difficulty: Challenging; requires mathematical mind & deep understanding of complex methodologies.

Why people fail it

Why do people fail the RYA Yachtmaster 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 Yachtmaster Theory Prep: common questions
Frequently asked
How many questions are in the RYA Yachtmaster 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 Yachtmaster Theory Prep?
You need 18 out of 25 correct to pass, which is about 72%. Our mocks mark you against this exact threshold.
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 75 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 RYA syllabus-aligned.