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100+ Free MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure Practice Questions

Prepare for the MCA/SQA Chief Mate–Master Unlimited Paper 032-74 — Stability and Structure exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure Exam

2.5 hours

Typical Official Written Duration (e.g. 0915–1145)

Official SQA 032-74 examination papers

200 marks

Official Paper Total Marks

Official SQA 032-74 examination papers

120 marks (60%)

Official Pass Mark

Official SQA 032-74 examination papers

~GBP 145/subject

Indicative SQA Written Fee (confirm with centre)

Approved-centre 2025/26 SQA deck fee sheets

3 years

Written Pass Validity Toward CoC (from Jul 2021)

Qualifications Scotland MCA FAQs / MSN 1856

MCA / SQA

Administrator

GOV.UK MCA deck safety syllabuses

MCQ study adaptation

This Free Practice Bank

OpenExamPrep study aid (not official paper)

Free 100-question English MCQ study bank for MCA/SQA 032-74 Chief Mate–Master Unlimited Stability and Structure. Official exam: written calculation paper, ~2.5 hours, 200 marks, pass 120 (60%), formula sheet and ship data booklet provided. Covers free surface, list/loll, trim about AP, GZ, grain, damage stability and load lines. Not an official paper simulation.

Sample MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary purpose of an inclining test on a ship?
A.To measure the vessel's maximum service speed in calm water
B.To determine lightship displacement and the vertical centre of gravity (KG)
C.To calibrate the magnetic compass deviation table
D.To establish the vessel's ultimate longitudinal bending strength
Explanation: The inclining test is performed to find lightship displacement and lightship KG. With known heeling weights, measured heel angles and hydrostatics, moments give GG1 and thus KG; draughts and density give displacement. These lightship values anchor all subsequent stability calculations.
2On which occasion must an inclining test normally be undertaken?
A.After every routine dry-docking with only antifouling applied
B.When the ship is new or after major structural alterations that change lightship weight or KG
C.Whenever the vessel changes trading area from tropical to summer zone
D.Only when the master requests a voluntary stability check
Explanation: An inclining test is required for a new ship and after major alterations that change lightship weight distribution (for example lengthening, large conversions, or substantial equipment additions). Minor coating work alone does not trigger a mandatory re-incline.
3During an inclining test, which precaution best improves accuracy of the measured angles of heel?
A.Conduct the test in a strong beam wind to magnify heel
B.Ensure the vessel is free-floating, upright as practicable, with minimal free surface and slack moorings
C.Fill all tanks to 50% to create a consistent free surface
D.Keep heavy cargo gear swinging to average KG
Explanation: Accurate inclining requires controlled conditions: free-floating in calm water, minimal residual list, tanks pressed or empty to limit free surface, people and weights accounted for, and moorings slack so they do not restrain heel.
4An inclining test uses a total heeling weight of 20 t moved 12.0 m across the deck. Mean heel is 2.5 degrees and displacement at the test condition is 4000 t. Approximately what is GG1 (transverse shift of G)?
A.0.024 m
B.0.060 m
C.0.120 m
D.0.240 m
Explanation: Heeling moment = w x d = 20 x 12.0 = 240 t-m. GG1 = moment / displacement = 240 / 4000 = 0.060 m. Then tan(theta) = GG1 / GM is used with the measured heel to find GM, and KG = KM - GM from hydrostatics.
5Why can lightship displacement and KG change over a vessel's life even without a major conversion?
A.Because seawater density permanently increases each year
B.Because of cumulative small weight growth (stores, paint, sludge, modifications) and redistribution of permanent weights
C.Because KM from hydrostatics is recalculated every voyage
D.Because free surface in cargo tanks permanently raises lightship KG
Explanation: Lightship creeps upward from residual paint, fittings, sludge, undocumented gear and minor modifications; centres also shift. Periodic lightship surveys or re-inclines keep the stability booklet realistic.
6What is the principal effect of free surface in a partially filled tank on transverse stability?
A.It always increases KM by raising the metacentre
B.It produces a virtual rise of G (free surface correction) that reduces effective GM
C.It permanently moves the physical centre of gravity to the deck edge
D.It only affects longitudinal trim and never transverse GM
Explanation: When a vessel heels, the liquid surface remains horizontal and the liquid centre of gravity shifts to the low side. That free-surface moment is equivalent to a virtual rise of G (FSC), reducing GM_effective = GM - FSC (or KG_e = KG + FSC).
7A rectangular tank is 16.0 m long and 10.0 m wide containing liquid of relative density 1.000 (slack surface free to move). Using i = L x B^3 / 12, what is the free surface moment FSM in t-m?
A.1066.7 t-m
B.1333.3 t-m
C.1600.0 t-m
D.2000.0 t-m
Explanation: i = L x B^3 / 12 = 16 x 1000 / 12 = 1333.333 m^4. With density 1.000 t/m^3, FSM = i x density = 1333.3 t-m. Breadth is cubed, so tank width dominates free-surface severity.
8How do longitudinal subdivisions (centreline bulkheads) in a tank affect free surface moment?
A.They increase FSM because more bulkheads always add mass high up
B.They reduce FSM approximately with the cube of the reduced tank breadths
C.They eliminate free surface completely regardless of fill level
D.They only affect permeability after damage, never intact free surface
Explanation: FSM for a rectangular tank depends on B^3. Splitting a tank into two equal longitudinal tanks replaces one breadth B with two of B/2, so total i scales roughly as 2 x (B/2)^3 = B^3/4 — about one-quarter of the unsubdivided FSM.
9Displacement is 8000 t and total free surface moment from slack tanks is 320 t-m. What free surface correction FSC should be applied?
A.0.025 m
B.0.040 m
C.0.080 m
D.0.250 m
Explanation: FSC = FSM / displacement = 320 / 8000 = 0.040 m. Add FSC to KG (or subtract from solid GM) to obtain effective values used for list, loll and intact criteria.
10When applying free surface in a multi-tank loading condition, which practice is correct?
A.Ignore free surface if tanks are less than 5% full
B.Include free surface for each slack tank using FSM or inertia data from the stability booklet
C.Apply free surface only to port tanks and ignore starboard
D.Use maximum possible FSM for pressed-full tanks
Explanation: Every tank with a free surface contributes FSM (or tabulated free-surface moments) unless pressed solid or empty with no free surface. Booklet tables often give FSM versus ullage.

About the MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure Exam

MCA/SQA paper 032-74 Stability and Structure is the management-level written examination for Chief Mate and Master Unlimited (STCW Regulation II/2). It is calculation-heavy: candidates work multi-part problems using a ship stability data booklet and the official formula sheet. The GOV.UK syllabus (confirmed September 2020; used from March 2025 exams) covers inclining tests, free surface, weight changes and list, dry-docking, heel when turning, longitudinal trim and draught survey, GZ curves and intact stability criteria, angle of loll, wind and cargo-shift heeling, IMO Grain Code, rolling phenomena, damage/flooding, load-line assignment, specialised-vessel criteria and load-line surveys. Official papers total 200 marks with a 120-mark (60%) pass and about 2.5 hours. This free bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of that written syllabus — not an official SQA paper.

Assessment

Official: written Stability and Structure paper administered by Qualifications Scotland on behalf of the MCA. Recent official papers allocate 200 marks with a pass at 120 marks (60%), supply a stability data booklet and formula sheet, allow non-programmable calculators, and run about 2.5 hours (e.g. 0915–1145). Longitudinal stability moments are taken about the after perpendicular using Trim = Displacement × (LCB~LCG) / MCTC. This practice set converts assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency.

Time Limit

2.5 hours (recent official papers 0915–1145)

Passing Score

120 marks out of 200 (60%) as stated on official SQA 032-74 examination papers

Exam Fee

SQA Chief Mate/Master written fee commonly listed around GBP 145 per subject on 2025/26 approved-centre fee sheets (combined Navigation + Stability fees and extra centre admin charges may apply) — confirm current SQA and centre fees before booking (Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) / Qualifications Scotland (SQA written examinations))

MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure Exam Content Outline

12%

Stability Information, Inclining Test and Free Surface

Stability booklet and instruments; inclining-test occasions, precautions and lightship KG/displacement; free surface moment, FSC and tank subdivision effects

18%

Weight Changes, List, Dry-Docking and Heel

Final KG and list after loading/discharging/shifting; min GM to limit list; dry-dock virtual loss of GM and critical instant; draught increase with list; heel when turning

16%

Trim, Longitudinal Stability and Draught Survey

LCF, TMD, moments about AP, loading position for required trim/draught, density change, air draught under bridges, and full draught-survey correction chain

20%

GZ Curves, Intact Stability, Loll and Wind/Cargo Shift

GZ construction, righting/dynamical stability, Simpson’s areas, IS Code compliance, simplified KG/GM tables, loll correction, stiff/tender, wind heeling levers

18%

Grain, Rolling Phenomena and Damage Stability

Grain heeling moments vs allowable; sync/parametric rolling actions; pure loss of stability; bilging scenarios for box ships and flooding countermeasures

16%

Load Lines, Specialised Vessels and Surveys

Type A/B/B-60/B-100 freeboards, timber load lines, passenger subdivision indices, specialised vessel criteria and load-line survey items

How to Pass the MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 120 marks out of 200 (60%) as stated on official SQA 032-74 examination papers
  • Assessment: Official: written Stability and Structure paper administered by Qualifications Scotland on behalf of the MCA. Recent official papers allocate 200 marks with a pass at 120 marks (60%), supply a stability data booklet and formula sheet, allow non-programmable calculators, and run about 2.5 hours (e.g. 0915–1145). Longitudinal stability moments are taken about the after perpendicular using Trim = Displacement × (LCB~LCG) / MCTC. This practice set converts assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency.
  • Time limit: 2.5 hours (recent official papers 0915–1145)
  • Exam fee: SQA Chief Mate/Master written fee commonly listed around GBP 145 per subject on 2025/26 approved-centre fee sheets (combined Navigation + Stability fees and extra centre admin charges may apply) — confirm current SQA and centre fees before booking

Keys to Passing

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

MCA 032-74 Stability and Structure Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill moments about the after perpendicular until automatic: Trim (m) = Δ × (LCB − LCG) / MCTC, with LCB/LCG measured from AP as in the official syllabus note
2Practise free surface end-to-end: i = ℓb³/12 for a rectangular tank → FSM = i × ρ_liquid → FSC = FSM / Δ → KG_effective = KG + FSC
3Memorise list vs loll: list is positive GM with G off the centreline; loll is negative initial GM with a wall-sided equilibrium angle — correction procedures differ (never correct loll by filling a high side tank first without lowering G)
4For dry-docking, find upthrust P at the critical instant from trim and LCF, then virtual loss of GM ≈ (P × KM) / Δ and compare residual GM with company/class minima
5Build GZ curves from KN − KG sin φ (or Cross curves), apply Simpson’s rules for areas, and check IS Code intact criteria for the ship type
6Work full past papers under 2.5-hour timed conditions with Ship A/B data booklets — the real paper is multi-part calculation, not MCQ
7Keep density, dock water and salt water (1.025 t/m³) conversions clean; bridge air-draught and density-change draught problems are frequent marks
8Link theory to operations: grain securing, ballast/bunker plans for voyage GM, icing, and actions for parametric/synchronous rolling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MCA/SQA paper 032-74?

It is the Chief Mate/Master Unlimited Stability and Structure written examination for STCW Regulation II/2 deck certificates, administered by Qualifications Scotland on behalf of the MCA. The official GOV.UK syllabus covers management-level ship stability and load-line structure topics.

What is the official pass mark?

Official SQA 032-74 papers state that 200 marks are allocated and candidates must achieve 120 marks to pass (60%).

How long is the written paper?

Recent official papers have been scheduled for 2.5 hours (for example 0915–1145). Always check the sitting notice for your diet.

Is the real exam multiple choice?

No. The official assessment is a worked written calculation paper using a stability data booklet and formula sheet. These free practice items are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus topics — not an official SQA paper simulation.

Are formula sheets provided?

Yes. The official syllabus states that formula sheets will be provided. Longitudinal stability calculations use moments about the after perpendicular with Trim = Displacement × (LCB~LCG) / MCTC.

How much does the exam cost?

Approved-centre fee sheets for 2025/26 commonly list about GBP 145 SQA fee per Chief Mate/Master written subject, plus possible centre admin charges. Confirm the current fee with your approved centre.

How long is a pass valid?

Qualifications Scotland guidance states that from the July 2021 diet a pass (grade 4 and above) in Navigation or Stability and Structure is valid for 3 years toward an MCA CoC under MSN 1856. Confirm current rules before applying.

Who administers the exam?

Written papers are administered by Qualifications Scotland (SQA) on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at approved examination centres.