100+ Free DGS GP Rating Exit Exam Practice Questions

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Sample DGS GP Rating Exit Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your DGS GP Rating Exit Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a merchant ship, which side is starboard when facing forward?

A.Right side of the ship

B.Left side of the ship

C.Aft end of the ship

D.Midships only

Explanation: Starboard is the right-hand side of the ship when looking toward the bow (forward). Port is the left-hand side. GP Rating trainees must use these terms correctly during bridge and deck communications.

2What is the primary duty of a lookout on the bridge during a navigational watch?

A.Plot the ship's position on the chart every hour

B.Keep a continuous lookout by sight and hearing and report to the OOW

C.Steer the ship without helm orders

D.Operate the radar alone without reporting

Explanation: STCW lookout duties require continuous lookout by sight and hearing, reporting contacts, lights, sounds, and hazards to the officer of the watch (OOW). Position plotting and radar control remain officer responsibilities unless ordered otherwise.

3When relieving the lookout, what must you ensure before taking over?

A.That the previous lookout has already left the bridge

B.That all navigation lights are switched off

C.That you are briefed on traffic, visibility, and any special instructions from the OOW

D.That the autopilot is set to manual

Explanation: Proper relief includes receiving a handover brief covering traffic, visibility, weather, and OOW instructions so the watch continues safely without gaps. Leaving without a brief, or changing equipment without orders, is unsafe.

4Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), a vessel's port sidelight shows which colour?

A.Green

B.White

C.Yellow

D.Red

Explanation: The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green. Remembering 'port wine is red' helps ratings identify other vessels' aspects at night when reporting to the OOW.

5In IALA buoyage Region A (used in India and most of the world), a lateral buoy marking the starboard side of a channel when entering from seaward is generally which colour?

A.Green

B.Red

C.Yellow

D.Black and yellow

Explanation: In IALA Region A, starboard-hand lateral marks are green and port-hand marks are red when entering a harbour from seaward. India follows Region A, so GP Rating trainees must not confuse this with Region B (Americas).

6What does the helm order 'hard-a-starboard' mean?

A.Put the rudder fully to port

B.Put the rudder fully to starboard

C.Keep the rudder amidships

D.Reduce engine speed to dead slow

Explanation: Hard-a-starboard means the helmsman must put the rudder hard over to starboard as far as it will go. Clear English helm orders and immediate acknowledgement are core bridge duties for ratings forming part of a navigational watch.

7During anchoring, which statement best describes the role of a deck rating under the officer's supervision?

A.Decide independently where the ship will anchor

B.Leave the forecastle once the anchor is sighted

C.Operate windlass/brake and report chain markings and cable status as ordered

D.Disconnect the bitter end before letting go

Explanation: Deck ratings assist anchoring by working the windlass, applying or releasing the brake as ordered, watching cable markings, and reporting to the bridge/officer. Anchor position and letting-go decisions remain with the Master/OOW.

8When mooring a ship alongside, what is a spring line primarily used for?

A.Only to heave the ship bodily onto the berth

B.To replace all head and stern lines

C.To sound the depth alongside

D.To control fore-and-aft movement of the ship along the berth

Explanation: Spring lines run diagonally and restrain the ship from ranging fore and aft along the quay. Head, stern, and breast lines control other movements; springs are essential for safe mooring and cargo operations.

9Which navigational aid on the bridge primarily gives an instantaneous indication of the ship's heading?

A.Gyro or magnetic compass

B.Echo sounder

C.Anemometer

D.Clinometer

Explanation: The gyro compass (and magnetic compass as backup) indicates the ship's heading. Echo sounders measure depth, anemometers measure wind, and clinometers indicate heel or list.

10What should a lookout do immediately on sighting another vessel that appears to be closing?

A.Alter course without informing anyone

B.Report the bearing and approximate distance or aspect to the OOW at once

C.Wait until the vessel is abeam before reporting

D.Sound the ship's whistle on personal initiative

Explanation: Early reporting of bearing, range/aspect, and lights lets the OOW assess collision risk under COLREGs. Ratings must not alter course or sound signals on their own initiative unless specifically ordered in an emergency.

About the DGS GP Rating Exit Exam Exam

The DG Shipping General Purpose (GP) Rating All-India Exit Examination is the mandatory assessment after DGS-approved pre-sea GP Rating training. Successful candidates can join merchant ships as trainee ratings in deck or engine departments. The online written stage covers GSK (seamanship, navigation, mooring, cargo, safety, environmental care, STCW knowledge) and MEK (engine-room duties, machinery, workshop practice, fire equipment), followed by oral/practical assessment.

Assessment

All-India Exit Examination for GP Rating trainees: online MCQ papers in General Ship Knowledge (GSK; 12 chapters) and Marine Engineering Knowledge (MEK; 17 chapters), followed by oral and practical assessments and physical fitness evaluation as administered by BES under DGS authorization. Fresh sittings are typically scheduled twice yearly (commonly described as January/September) with separate repeater sittings (commonly March/December); confirm dates on the live BES notice.

Time Limit

About 45 minutes per online paper (GSK and MEK separately). Oral/practical timing is set by BES examiners at the centre.

Passing Score

Training Circular No. 05 of 2011: minimum 60% aggregate on the written exam with at least 50% in each written section. Confirm current BES online GSK/MEK pass criteria on your sitting notice.

Exam Fee

Collected via the MTI/BES application process for each attempt. DGS Order No. 05 of 2026 cites a revised Basic-level Online Exit Examination rate of ₹375 (from ₹250) plus GST for the Virtual Guru MTI platform; verify the exact BES GP/CCMC fee on the current notice before payment. (Board of Examinations for Seafarers Trust (BES), authorized by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India)

DGS GP Rating Exit Exam Exam Content Outline

12%

Navigation, Watchkeeping & Mooring

Nautical terms, lights/buoyage, lookout/helm, anchoring and mooring safety.

10%

Cargo Handling & Stowage

SWL, dunnage, holds/hatches, containers, IMDG awareness and cargo care.

Seamanship, Ropes & Deck Maintenance

Ropework, blocks, painting/lubrication, pilot ladder and gangway watch.

Shipboard Safety & Safe Working Practices

PPE, permits, enclosed spaces, manual handling and electrical safety.

STCW Basic Safety, Survival & Firefighting

PST, FPFF, PSSR and emergency fire-pump principles.

Marine Pollution Prevention

MARPOL oil/garbage basics and bunkering spill precautions.

Shipping Basics & Computers

Ship organization, ship types, CDC pathway and online-exam IT basics.

10%

Engine-Room Familiarization & Watchkeeping

ER trainee duties, rounds, gauges, alarms and emergency awareness.

10%

Diesel Engines & Propulsion

Diesel cycles, shafting, generators, lubrication, air and OWS basics.

14%

Auxiliary Machinery, Pumps & Boilers

Pumps, valves, filters, purifiers, boilers, bilge and hotel services.

10%

Workshop Tools, Hot Work & Electrical

Tools, hot-work fire watch, gas cylinders and electrical isolation.

Engine-Room Fire & Emergencies

Portable/fixed FFA, CO2 hazards, foam/mist and alarm response.

How to Pass the DGS GP Rating Exit Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Training Circular No. 05 of 2011: minimum 60% aggregate on the written exam with at least 50% in each written section. Confirm current BES online GSK/MEK pass criteria on your sitting notice.
Assessment: All-India Exit Examination for GP Rating trainees: online MCQ papers in General Ship Knowledge (GSK; 12 chapters) and Marine Engineering Knowledge (MEK; 17 chapters), followed by oral and practical assessments and physical fitness evaluation as administered by BES under DGS authorization. Fresh sittings are typically scheduled twice yearly (commonly described as January/September) with separate repeater sittings (commonly March/December); confirm dates on the live BES notice.
Time limit: About 45 minutes per online paper (GSK and MEK separately). Oral/practical timing is set by BES examiners at the centre.
Exam fee: Collected via the MTI/BES application process for each attempt. DGS Order No. 05 of 2026 cites a revised Basic-level Online Exit Examination rate of ₹375 (from ₹250) plus GST for the Virtual Guru MTI platform; verify the exact BES GP/CCMC fee on the current notice before payment.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DGS GP Rating Exit Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill GSK and MEK as separate timed 45-question sets — the real online papers do not let you revisit an answered item, so practise committing to an answer once.

2Prioritize high-frequency safety items: enclosed-space entry, hot-work permits, lookout reporting, SWL on lifting gear, MARPOL Annex I/V, and engine-room fire/CO2 precautions.

3Use the BES text books (Basic Seamanship, Marine Engineering and Human Relations for Seafarers) issued by your MTI, then reinforce weak chapters with this free bank's category filters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who conducts the GP Rating All-India Exit Examination in India?

The Board of Examinations for Seafarers Trust (BES) conducts the All-India Exit Examination for GP and CCMC ratings under authorization from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). Notices and forms are published on seafarers.edu.in.

How is the GP Rating online written exam structured?

DGS documentation describing the ratings exit examination states two online sections — General Ship Knowledge (GSK) and Marine Engineering Knowledge (MEK) — each with 45 MCQs for 75 marks and about a 45-minute time limit. Oral and practical assessments follow the online papers.

What pass mark do I need for the GP Rating written exit exam?

DGS Training Circular No. 05 of 2011 fixed written-exam minimum passing marks at 60% in aggregate with at least 50% in each written section. Confirm the exact current BES online GSK/MEK criteria on the notice for your sitting.

How much is the GP Rating exit exam fee?

Fees are paid through the MTI/BES application process and can change. DGS Order No. 05 of 2026 revised Basic-level Online Exit Examination rates to ₹375 (from ₹250) plus GST for the Virtual Guru MTI platform; always verify the live BES GP/CCMC fee before paying.