100+ Free MCA OOW 500 NC Chartwork Practice Questions

Prepare for the MCA/SQA OOW 500 GT Near Coastal — Chartwork and Practical Navigation (035-21) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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MCA/SQA OOW 500 GT Near Coastal — General Ship Knowledge

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MCA OOW 500 NC Chartwork Exam

035-21

Official Paper Code

Qualifications Scotland/MCA deck examination timetable; GOV.UK syllabus title

March 2026+

Revised Syllabus Assessment From

GOV.UK OOW 500GT NC Chartwork syllabus (revised Dec 2024)

Formula sheets provided

Official Exam Materials Note

035-21 syllabus Notes

Not published in syllabus PDF

Official Item Count / Pass Mark / Duration

Public 035-21 syllabus PDF (confirm with Qualifications Scotland/centre)

MCA / Qualifications Scotland

Administrator

GOV.UK deck syllabuses; qualscot-mcaexams.org.uk

MCQ study adaptation

This Free Practice Bank

OpenExamPrep study aid (not official paper)

Free 100-question English MCQ study bank for MCA/SQA OOW 500 GT Near Coastal Chartwork and Practical Navigation (035-21). Official exam: written practical paper (question count, duration and pass mark not published in the public syllabus PDF — confirm with Qualifications Scotland/centre). Fee: confirm with approved centre. Covers APEM, routeing/Rule 10, CTS/tides/compass, sailings, watchkeeping and UK tide calculations. Not an official paper simulation.

Sample MCA OOW 500 NC Chartwork Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MCA OOW 500 NC Chartwork exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the formal four-stage passage-planning process used for MCA deck examinations, what does the APPRAISAL stage primarily involve?

A.Selecting waypoints and plotting courses on the chart before checking publications

B.Gathering and reviewing all relevant information (charts, publications, weather, vessel data, draught, cargo) needed to decide whether the voyage can be safely planned

C.Altering course and speed during the voyage to keep the vessel on the planned track

D.Calling the Master only after the vessel has already departed the berth

Explanation: Appraisal is the information-gathering stage: charts, sailing directions, notices, weather, tides, vessel condition and draught, and hazards are reviewed so a safe plan can be made. Plotting comes in planning; underway adjustments are execution/monitoring.

2Which activity best belongs to the PLANNING stage of a passage plan?

A.Fixing the vessel’s position every 30 minutes while underway

B.Deciding courses, distances, waypoints, contingency options and critical points after appraisal is complete

C.Recording the noon position in the deck logbook

D.Checking gyro error after a course alteration

Explanation: Planning converts appraised information into a concrete route: track lines, waypoints, no-go areas, abort points, contingency berths/anchorages, and speed/ETA decisions. Underway fixes and log entries are monitoring/execution.

3During EXECUTION of a passage plan, the OOW’s principal duty is to:

A.Rewrite the entire plan after every position fix

B.Carry out the pre-planned manoeuvres, courses and speeds while continuously assessing whether conditions still match the plan

C.Ignore the plan once the pilot is on board

D.Leave monitoring entirely to the Master

Explanation: Execution means putting the plan into effect: following planned courses/speeds, making pre-briefed turns, and remaining ready to reassess if traffic, weather or equipment status changes. The plan is a working tool, not abandoned on pilot boarding.

4MONITORING a passage plan means:

A.Only checking the GPS once per watch

B.Continuously verifying the vessel’s progress against the planned track and timing, using all available means, and taking corrective action early

C.Relying solely on radar parallel indexing without visual checks

D.Waiting until the vessel is off track by several miles before adjusting

Explanation: Monitoring is active: frequent fixes, parallel indexing, clearing bearings, ETA checks and comparison of actual vs planned track so small deviations are corrected before they become hazards.

5A clearing bearing is used primarily to:

A.Determine the exact latitude and longitude of the vessel

B.Ensure the vessel remains on the safe side of a hazard by keeping a bearing open or closed relative to a charted mark

C.Measure the tidal stream rate

D.Calibrate the magnetic compass

Explanation: A clearing bearing (or danger bearing) is a limiting true/compass bearing of a charted object that, if the vessel stays on the safe side of it, keeps the track clear of a shoal or danger. It is a continuous monitoring tool, not a fix by itself.

6Parallel indexing (PI) on radar is most useful for:

A.Measuring height of tide

B.Monitoring the vessel’s lateral distance from a radar-conspicuous coastline, buoy or island while steaming a planned track

C.Calculating Mercator sailing distances between distant ports

D.Finding compass error by Polaris

Explanation: Parallel indexing draws index lines parallel to the planned track at a chosen offset so the radar echo of a fixed mark rides along the index line when the vessel is on track. It gives continuous cross-track monitoring, especially useful in TSS, fairways and near OREIs.

7When planning a near-coastal passage through a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), which principle is correct?

A.You may freely cut across a traffic lane at any angle if it shortens the route

B.You should generally follow the general direction of traffic flow in the appropriate lane and cross lanes on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow (COLREG Rule 10)

C.TSS rules apply only to vessels over 500 GT

D.Vessels engaged in fishing always have absolute priority inside a TSS

Explanation: COLREG Rule 10 requires vessels using a TSS to proceed in the appropriate lane in the general direction of traffic flow, keep clear of separation zones (with limited exceptions), and cross lanes as nearly as practicable at right angles. Size alone does not exempt vessels from Rule 10.

8Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs) such as wind farms affect passage planning mainly because:

A.They always cancel all tidal streams nearby

B.They introduce restricted/no-go areas, traffic re-routing, possible radar clutter and the need for enhanced monitoring and contingency tracks

C.Charts never show them, so they can be ignored

D.They only matter for vessels under 24 m

Explanation: Wind farms and other OREIs create charted restricted areas, altered traffic patterns, and potential radar/AIS clutter. Passage plans must identify safe corridors, no-go boundaries, and contingency options — not ignore them.

9Which charted object is generally MOST suitable for a reliable visual position fix?

A.An uncharted fishing vessel

B.A charted lighthouse, beacon or conspicuous landmark with an accurately known position

C.A temporary construction buoy not yet charted

D.A cloud formation on the horizon

Explanation: Fixes need objects whose charted positions are known and reliable. Lighthouses, beacons and conspicuous charted landmarks are preferred. Uncharted or temporary objects, or weather features, do not give trustworthy LOPs.

10On a Mercator navigational chart, latitude scale is used to measure distance because:

A.One minute of latitude equals one nautical mile at that latitude, whereas longitude minutes shrink with increasing latitude

B.One minute of longitude always equals one nautical mile everywhere

C.Latitude lines are never parallel on Mercator charts

D.The longitude scale is constant and equal to the latitude scale

Explanation: On a Mercator chart, meridians are parallel and longitude scale is expanded toward the poles. Distance is measured against the latitude scale near the working latitude because 1′ of latitude ≈ 1 NM.

About the MCA OOW 500 NC Chartwork Exam

The MCA/SQA OOW 500 GT Near Coastal Chartwork and Practical Navigation examination (paper 035-21) is the written chartwork module for Officer of the Watch less than 500 GT engaged on near-coastal voyages (STCW II/3). The syllabus was revised in December 2024 for assessment from March 2026 exams onwards and covers APEM passage planning, monitoring with clearing bearings and parallel indexing, TSS and OREI planning, IMO/Admiralty routeing guidance and COLREG Rule 10, position fixing and running fixes, tidal stream and leeway, course to steer, SMG/ETA, True–Compass conversion, plane/parallel/Mercator sailings, bridge watchkeeping and emergency communications, tidal definitions, and UK standard-port tide table/curve calculations. Formula sheets are provided in the official examination. This free bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of that written syllabus — not an official Qualifications Scotland paper.

Assessment

Official: written examination (035-21) covering passage planning and monitoring, routeing (including Rule 10 and routeing guides), chartwork course/speed/tide/compass adjustments, plane/parallel/Mercator sailings, bridge watchkeeping procedures, tidal theory and UK standard-port tide calculations. Formula sheets are provided. This practice set converts that assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency.

Time Limit

Confirm duration with Qualifications Scotland / your approved centre for the current diet (not stated in the public syllabus PDF)

Passing Score

Not published in the public 035-21 syllabus PDF — confirm current pass criteria with Qualifications Scotland / your approved centre

Exam Fee

Confirm the current Qualifications Scotland/MCA written-examination fee with your approved examination centre before booking (fees are revised periodically) (Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) / Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA))

MCA OOW 500 NC Chartwork Exam Content Outline

14%

Passage Planning and Monitoring

Explain appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring; monitor progress with clearing bearings and parallel indexing; plan through TSS and OREIs; identify fixing objects and chart symbols/abbreviations

10%

Routeing Instructions and Guidelines

IMO Ships’ Routeing content and use; interpret COLREG Rule 10; use Mariners’ Routeing Guides such as Admiralty 5500

26%

Course, Speed, Tide and Compass Adjustments

Plot by lat/long and LOPs including running fix and horizontal angles; tidal stream and wind/leeway; CTS to counteract tide; SMG and ETA/speed required; apply standard/gyro compass errors and adjustments

14%

The Sailings (Plane, Parallel and Mercator)

Mercator chart properties; course and distance by plane, parallel or Mercator formulae; ETAs with time zones; average and required speeds

12%

Bridge Watchkeeping Procedures and Communications

Watchkeeping regulations/guidelines; calling the Master; equipment tests; compass error by azimuth/amplitude/Polaris; bridge records; steering, telegraph, engine failure, steering failure and total power failure communications

24%

Tides — Causes, Definitions and UK Standard Ports

Springs and neaps; CD, height of tide, HAT, LAT, MHWS/MLWS/MHWN/MLWN, range, drying height, elevations, clearances and air draught; HW/LW from tables; height/time from curves; prediction reliability; soundings to chart datum

How to Pass the MCA OOW 500 NC Chartwork Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Not published in the public 035-21 syllabus PDF — confirm current pass criteria with Qualifications Scotland / your approved centre
Assessment: Official: written examination (035-21) covering passage planning and monitoring, routeing (including Rule 10 and routeing guides), chartwork course/speed/tide/compass adjustments, plane/parallel/Mercator sailings, bridge watchkeeping procedures, tidal theory and UK standard-port tide calculations. Formula sheets are provided. This practice set converts that assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency.
Time limit: Confirm duration with Qualifications Scotland / your approved centre for the current diet (not stated in the public syllabus PDF)
Exam fee: Confirm the current Qualifications Scotland/MCA written-examination fee with your approved examination centre before booking (fees are revised periodically)

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 OOW 500 NC Chartwork Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill APEM until automatic: Appraisal → Planning → Execution → Monitoring, and practise clearing bearings and parallel indexing as monitoring tools

2Master the tide triangle: water track then tidal stream for EP; reverse construction for course to steer, then apply leeway upwind of the required water track

3Memorise TVMDC / CDMVT and ‘error west, compass best / error east, compass least’ — re-work every bearing and course both ways

4Practise plane sailing (d.lat = D cos Co, dep = D sin Co), parallel sailing (d.long = dep / cos lat) and Mercator (tan Co = d.long / DMP) with the formula sheet layout you will see in the exam

5For UK ports: HW/LW from tables → range → curve factor → height at time or time at height; always reduce soundings to chart datum

6Know spring vs neap causes and the vertical datum set: CD/LAT for depths, MHWS/HAT-type levels for elevations and clearances

7Rehearse Rule 10: lane direction, right-angle crossing, not impeding lane traffic, and avoiding TSS when not using it

8Work full chart constructions under timed conditions — the real paper is calculation and plotting heavy, not multiple choice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MCA OOW 500 GT Near Coastal Chartwork exam?

It is the Qualifications Scotland/MCA written paper 035-21, Chartwork and Practical Navigation, required on the Officer of the Watch less than 500 GT near-coastal (STCW II/3) pathway. The public syllabus revised for March 2026 exams covers passage planning, routeing, chartwork calculations, sailings, watchkeeping and UK tides.

Is the real exam multiple choice?

No. The official assessment is a written practical chartwork and navigation paper. These free practice items are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus topics — not an official Qualifications Scotland paper simulation.

What is the official pass mark and duration?

The public 035-21 syllabus PDF does not publish a fixed pass mark or duration. Confirm current timing and pass criteria with Qualifications Scotland or your approved examination centre for the diet you are sitting.

Are formula sheets provided?

Yes. The official syllabus notes that formula sheets will be provided to candidates for the examination.

When does the revised syllabus apply?

The Chartwork and Practical Navigation syllabus was revised in December 2024 and is assessed from March 2026 examinations onwards (GOV.UK MCA Deck Safety Examination Syllabuses).

How much does the exam cost?

Written-examination fees are set through the Qualifications Scotland/MCA arrangements and approved centres and change over time. Confirm the current fee with your approved examination centre before booking.

Who administers the exam?

Written papers are administered by Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA) on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at approved centres. Examination diets are published on the Qualifications Scotland MCA timetable.

What other papers are required for OOW less than 500 GT near coastal?

The near-coastal OOW less than 500 GT written suite includes Chartwork and Practical Navigation (035-21) and General Ship Knowledge (035-22) under the current syllabus set. You must also meet sea service, ancillary courses, medical and MCA oral requirements under MSN 1856 — check the latest GOV.UK CoC requirements for your route.