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Sample Sjökapten Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Sjökapten exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1At meridian passage the Sun bears south with a true altitude of 58°24.6'. Its declination is 14°18.2'N. What is your latitude?

A.17°17.2'N

B.45°53.6'N

C.72°42.8'N

D.31°35.4'N

Explanation: Zenith distance = 90° − 58°24.6' = 31°35.4', named north because the Sun bears south. With declination also north, latitude = 31°35.4' + 14°18.2' = 45°53.6'N.

2Using the Marcq St Hilaire method, a star's observed altitude (Ho) is 42°18.0' and the calculated altitude (Hc) from your DR position is 42°26.0'. What is the intercept?

A.8.0 NM towards, along the azimuth

B.8.0 NM away, along the azimuth

C.4.0 NM towards, along the azimuth

D.16.0 NM away, along the azimuth

Explanation: Intercept = Ho − Hc = −8.0' = 8.0 NM. Because the calculated altitude is greater than the observed one, the intercept is laid off away from the body along the azimuth line ('computed greater away').

3What is the main advantage and the main drawback of a great-circle track compared with a rhumb line across an ocean?

A.Shorter, but the course keeps changing and may reach ice

B.Constant compass course all the way, but a longer total distance

C.It removes the effect of ocean currents but needs more fuel

D.It is shorter than a rhumb line only within 5° of the equator

Explanation: A great circle is the shortest route on the sphere, but it crosses each meridian at a different angle, so the course must be changed continually, and its vertex may lie in areas of ice or severe weather.

4In composite great-circle sailing, how is the track built around the limiting latitude?

A.A rhumb line from departure to arrival that stays below the limit

B.Two rhumb lines meeting at the vertex of the great circle

C.Arcs tangent to the limiting parallel, joined along it

D.A single great circle with its vertex moved to the equator

Explanation: A maximum safe latitude is chosen to avoid ice or heavy weather. Great circles from the departure and arrival points are drawn to touch that parallel, and the ship sails along the parallel between the two points of contact.

5In the Northern Hemisphere you meet a tropical revolving storm. The wind veers steadily and the barometer falls. Where are you, and what action is recommended?

A.Navigable semicircle; put the wind on the port quarter

B.On the track ahead of the centre; stop and wait

C.In the eye; maintain position until it passes

D.Dangerous semicircle; wind fine on the starboard bow

Explanation: A veering wind in the Northern Hemisphere means you are in the right-hand (dangerous) semicircle. Proceed with the wind fine on the starboard bow, altering to starboard as it veers, to open the distance from the centre; if speed is insufficient, heave to with the wind on the starboard bow.

6What causes parametric rolling of large container ships in head or following seas?

A.Failure of the fin stabilisers' hydraulic pumps

B.Wave-driven changes in GM at half the roll period

C.Cargo liquefying at the ship's natural pitch period

D.Propeller tip vortices acting on the rudder blade

Explanation: As crests and troughs move along a hull with large bow flare and stern overhang, the waterplane, and so GM, changes periodically. When the encounter period is about half the natural roll period, roll angles can build up very quickly.

7Why is surf-riding in steep following seas dangerous?

A.The vessel starts to plane and loses buoyancy aft

B.Spray and foam block the sea chest intakes

C.The anchors may run out under heavy pitching loads

D.Loss of steering on the wave face, then broaching

Explanation: When an overtaking wave carries the vessel along on its front slope, water speed past the rudder falls and steering is lost. Strong yaw moments can swing her broadside to the sea (broaching), with severe rolling or capsize.

8How should the length of the ECDIS look-ahead (safety frame) be chosen when making landfall?

A.Always exactly 100 m, whatever the ship's speed

B.Enough time to assess an alarm and turn or stop

C.Ten times the ship's length, whatever the speed

D.Switched off in pilotage waters to avoid false alarms

Explanation: The look-ahead should give the bridge team enough time, at the current speed, to recognise an anti-grounding alarm and complete a turn or stop. It must therefore be related to speed and manoeuvring characteristics, and set with care so it neither nags nor misses dangers.

9In the North Atlantic, which weather sequence usually accompanies the passage of an active cold front?

A.Steady barometer, calm winds and radiation fog for two days

B.Falling barometer, backing winds, drizzle and rising temperature

C.Easterly trade winds with heavy tropical thunderstorms

D.Pressure rises, wind veers NW, squalls, then clearing

Explanation: At a cold front the pressure is lowest as it passes and then rises sharply, the wind veers (for example SW to NW), squalls and heavy showers occur, and colder air brings clearing skies and good visibility.

10What does the International Ice Patrol publish, and how should it affect your North Atlantic passage plan?

A.Baltic icebreaker schedules; book assistance in advance

B.Fishing quotas; avoid closed areas

C.The limit of all known ice; plan the track outside it

D.Wave buoy data; adjust speed for swell

Explanation: The International Ice Patrol, set up after the Titanic disaster and operated by the US Coast Guard under SOLAS chapter V, monitors icebergs off the Grand Banks and broadcasts the limit of all known ice. Passage plans should keep outside it.

About the Sjökapten Exam

Sjökapten is Sweden's highest deck certificate, giving the right to serve as master, chief mate or mate on all Swedish merchant ships. It requires the sjökaptensexamen, a professional degree from Chalmers or Linnaeus University trained to STCW Code section A-II/2, followed by 36 months of officer service with stated tonnage, trading-area and chief-mate requirements. This independent bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation or assessment.

Exam sponsor: Transportstyrelsen (certificates); Chalmers and Linnaeus University (degree). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Four-year programme at Chalmers or Linnaeus University leading to the sjökaptensexamen (180 credits, with about 12 months of onboard training) and first to Fartygsbefäl klass V; the Sjökapten certificate follows after 36 months of officer service. Training meets STCW Code section A-II/2.

Time Limit

Varies by course exam

Passing Score

Pass in every course of the degree; no single national pass mark

Exam / Certification Fees

No separate exam fee; SEK 1,000 per certificate application

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Ocean navigation and voyage planning

Celestial and great-circle navigation, compass error, tides, meteorology, heavy weather and ECDIS.

15%

Ship handling and manoeuvring

Squat, interaction, pivot point, thrusters, tugs, anchoring, heavy weather and ice.

20%

Stability and structural safety

IS Code criteria, damage stability, hull strength, grain stability and stability calculations.

15%

Cargo operations and dangerous goods

Tankers, chemical and gas carriers, IMSBC and IMDG cargoes, securing, ballast water and enclosed spaces.

15%

International and Swedish maritime law

UNCLOS, ISM, ISPS, MLC, salvage, general average and Sjölagen.

15%

Bridge resource management and emergency command

BRM, situational awareness, communication, fatigue, drills, SAR and man-overboard recovery.

Preparing for the Sjökapten Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass in every course of the degree; no single national pass mark
Assessment: Four-year programme at Chalmers or Linnaeus University leading to the sjökaptensexamen (180 credits, with about 12 months of onboard training) and first to Fartygsbefäl klass V; the Sjökapten certificate follows after 36 months of officer service. Training meets STCW Code section A-II/2.
Time limit: Varies by course exam
Exam / certification fees: No separate exam fee; SEK 1,000 per certificate application Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Sjökapten: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill the celestial calculations: meridian altitude, intercept direction, Polaris and compass error from an azimuth.

2Work stability problems end to end: KG after loading, free surface, GZ from KN curves and the lost-buoyancy method.

3Know the IS Code general criteria and the Grain Code criteria by heart, and which is which.

4Learn the Sjölagen sections a master uses: 6 kap. (duties and reporting), 8 kap. (collision), 9 kap. 4 § (limitation) and 18 kap. (logbooks and sjöförklaring).

5Practise BRM language: closed-loop orders, PACE escalation and a structured master-pilot exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Sjökapten certificate allow?

Transportstyrelsen describes Sjökapten as the highest deck certificate, giving the right to serve as master, chief mate and mate on all Swedish merchant ships, in every tonnage band and trading area.

How do you qualify for Sjökapten?

Complete the sjökaptensexamen at Chalmers or Linnaeus University, which leads first to Fartygsbefäl klass V. Then serve at least 36 months as a deck officer on merchant ships of 500 GT or more, including 18 months beyond Öresund-only near-coastal trade and 12 months as at least chief mate on ships of 3,000 GT or more. You must be at least 20.

Is there one national Sjökapten exam?

No. Knowledge is assessed through the courses of the degree, including written exams, simulator exercises and onboard training. Transportstyrelsen then checks the degree and sea service before issuing the certificate.

Is this practice bank official?

No. It is independent practice by OpenExamPrep. The programmes are taught mainly in Swedish, with some courses in English; this bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation or a simulation of the university assessments.