Free Practice Questions for MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture

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Key Facts: MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture Exam

≥50%

SQA Academic Pass Mark (MSN 1857)

MSN 1857 — Second Engineer academic examinations

040-34

SQA Subject Code (Naval Architecture)

MCA/SQA Marine Engineer Officers examination timetables

Written paper

Official Assessment Format

GOV.UK Second Engineer Naval Architecture syllabus / SQA diets

10 syllabus sections

Hydrostatics through Ventilation

GOV.UK Naval Architecture Written Examination Syllabus

Confirm with centre

SQA Exam Fee

MCA-approved training centres / SQA diet fees

MCQ study adaptation

This Free Practice Bank

OpenExamPrep study aid (not official paper)

Free 100-question English MCQ study bank for the MCA/SQA Second Engineer Naval Architecture written module (STCW III/2, MSN 1857). Official exam: SQA written paper 040-34, pass ≥50%. Fee: confirm with approved centre. Covers hydrostatics, TPC, Simpson’s rule, stability/inclining/bilging, resistance and propellers, Admiralty Coefficient, fuel consumption, construction, hull stresses, ventilation and drainage. Not an official paper simulation.

Sample MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture Practice Questions

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

1According to Archimedes’ principle as applied to a floating ship, the ship’s displacement equals:

A.The volume of the under-water hull in cubic metres only

B.The mass of the volume of water displaced by the immersed hull

C.The lightweight of the ship excluding bunkers

D.The freeboard measured from the deck line to the waterline

Explanation: For a floating vessel, displacement equals the mass of water displaced (Archimedes). That mass equals immersed volume × water density.

2If a ship is floating upright without list, the transverse centre of buoyancy lies:

A.At the geometric centre of the waterplane only

B.On the ship’s centreline

C.Always at the keel

D.Always at the longitudinal centre of flotation

Explanation: When upright, the immersed volume is symmetric port and starboard, so the transverse centre of buoyancy is on the centreline.

3On hydrostatic curves, the volume of displacement at a given draught is represented by:

A.The slope of the TPC curve at that draught

B.The area under the waterplane-area curve up to that draught

C.The ordinate of the block-coefficient curve only

D.The freeboard at that draught multiplied by LBP

Explanation: Integrating waterplane area with respect to draught gives immersed volume to that draught. Hence volume of displacement is the area under the waterplane-area curve up to the draught.

4TPC is defined as the mass that must be added or removed to change the ship’s mean draught by:

A.1 millimetre in salt water only

B.1 centimetre

C.1 metre

D.1 foot

Explanation: Tonne Per Centimetre Immersion (TPC) is the mass required to change mean draught by 1 cm (at the current waterplane and density).

5A ship has waterplane area Aw = 2 400 m² floating in salt water of density 1.025 t/m³. Approximately what is TPC?

A.12.0 t/cm

B.24.6 t/cm

C.48.0 t/cm

D.2.46 t/cm

Explanation: TPC = (Aw × ρ)/100 = (2400 × 1.025)/100 = 24.6 t/cm.

6Why may TPC be treated as constant only for small changes of mean draught?

A.Because water density always changes with every centimetre of immersion

B.Because waterplane area (and therefore TPC) changes as draught changes over larger ranges

C.Because displacement is independent of waterplane area

D.Because the centre of gravity moves continuously with every centimetre of immersion

Explanation: TPC depends on waterplane area and density. Over large draught changes Aw usually changes, so TPC is not constant; for small Δd it is a useful approximation.

7A vessel floating at TPC = 20 t/cm loads 80 tonnes of stores without shifting other weights. The approximate increase in mean draught is:

A.0.25 cm

B.4.0 cm

C.1.6 m

D.40 cm

Explanation: Δd (cm) ≈ mass/TPC = 80/20 = 4 cm.

8When a ship of constant displacement moves from salt water (ρs) into fresher water (ρf < ρs), mean draught:

A.Decreases because buoyancy increases

B.Increases because a larger immersed volume is needed to equal the same mass

C.Remains unchanged if freeboard is constant

D.Always decreases by the fresh water allowance regardless of freeboard marks

Explanation: Displacement mass is fixed. Lower density requires larger immersed volume, so draught increases (fresh water allowance / density correction).

9The fresh water allowance (FWA) for a ship is most directly derived from the change in mean draught when moving between:

A.Tropical and winter load lines only

B.Salt water and fresh water at the same displacement

C.Lightship and full deadweight conditions

D.Port and starboard tanks while heeling

Explanation: FWA is the increase in mean draught when floating from standard salt water into fresh water at constant displacement.

10Block coefficient Cb is defined as:

A.Waterplane area ÷ (L × B)

B.Immersed volume ÷ (L × B × d)

C.Midship section area ÷ (B × d)

D.Wetted surface ÷ (L × d)

Explanation: Cb = ∇ / (L × B × d), the ratio of actual immersed volume to the enclosing rectangular block of length, breadth and draught.

About the MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture Exam

The MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture examination is the SQA written academic module that assesses STCW Reg. III/2 engineer candidates on ship hydrostatics, small-angle stability, bilging, resistance and propellers, power and fuel estimation, principal ship terminology, construction features, hull stresses, and ventilation/drainage. It is one of the Second Engineer / management engineer academic subjects under MSN 1857 (alongside Mathematics, Applied Mechanics, Applied Heat, Engineering Drawing / Engineering Systems and Ship’s Drawing, and Electro-Technology, unless exempted). Assessment is a closed-book written paper, not multiple choice. Candidates must achieve at least 50% in each required SQA academic subject. This free bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the official GOV.UK Second Engineer Naval Architecture syllabus — not an official SQA paper.

Exam sponsor: Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) / Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

IDENTITY NOTE (verified 2026-08-08): there is no longer a separate Second Engineer and Chief Engineer academic examination. From 1 January 2017 the two were combined into a single Management Level (STCW III/2) paper per subject (MSN 1857 (M+F)), and Qualifications Scotland — which replaced the SQA on 1 February 2026 — timetables only the 040 Management Engineer series for 2025/26 and 2026/27. This page covers Management Level paper 040-34 Naval Architecture, which is sat once and counts towards both the Second Engineer and the Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency. Official: SQA written academic examination in Naval Architecture for Second Engineer / management engineer STCW Reg. III/2 pathways under MSN 1857. Syllabus sections: Hydrostatics; Simpson’s Rule; Ship Stability; Ship Resistance (including propellers); Admiralty Coefficients; Fuel Consumption; Ship Terminology; Ship Construction; Ship Stresses; Ventilation and Drainage of Compartments. This practice set converts that assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency, with emphasis on hydrostatics, stability and strength-related calculations.

Time Limit

As scheduled by SQA on the published Marine Engineer Officers examination diet (040-34 Naval Architecture listed as a 0915 theoretical sitting on current public timetables). Confirm exact paper duration with your approved centre or current SQA diet guidance.

Passing Score

At least 50% in the SQA Second Engineer / management-level academic examination in Naval Architecture, as required under MSN 1857 for Second Engineer Officer STCW Reg. III/2 academic subjects (obtain a pass mark of at least 50% in all SQA Second Engineer academic examinations at this level).

Exam / Certification Fees

Confirm the current SQA Naval Architecture (040-34) examination fee and any centre administration charges with your MCA-approved training centre before booking (centre fee schedules are revised periodically; academic subjects are typically charged per paper).

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.

18%

Hydrostatics

Flotation and displacement, centres of buoyancy, TPC, density change and fresh water allowance, block/prismatic/waterplane/midship coefficients, wetted surface and similar ships

Simpson’s Rule

Areas, volumes and masses from equally spaced ordinates; first moments for centroids, LCB and KB from waterplane areas or TPC stations

22%

Ship Stability

Loading shifts of KG/LCG, suspended masses, GM and BM, metacentric diagram, stiff/tender behaviour, inclining experiment, bilging and permeability

12%

Ship Resistance and Propellers

Frictional versus residuary resistance, Froude friction form, pitch and slip, Taylor wake, thrust power, delivered power and propeller efficiency

11%

Admiralty Coefficients and Fuel Consumption

Admiralty Coefficient power estimates and limitations; specific fuel consumption, fuel coefficient, daily and voyage fuel versus speed

29%

Terminology, Construction, Stresses, Ventilation

LBP, freeboard, deadweight and form terms; transverse/longitudinal/combined framing; ship types and structural components; rudders and anchors; hogging, sagging, racking, panting, pounding and dry-docking; ventilation and drainage including air and sounding pipes

Preparing for the MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: At least 50% in the SQA Second Engineer / management-level academic examination in Naval Architecture, as required under MSN 1857 for Second Engineer Officer STCW Reg. III/2 academic subjects (obtain a pass mark of at least 50% in all SQA Second Engineer academic examinations at this level).
Assessment: IDENTITY NOTE (verified 2026-08-08): there is no longer a separate Second Engineer and Chief Engineer academic examination. From 1 January 2017 the two were combined into a single Management Level (STCW III/2) paper per subject (MSN 1857 (M+F)), and Qualifications Scotland — which replaced the SQA on 1 February 2026 — timetables only the 040 Management Engineer series for 2025/26 and 2026/27. This page covers Management Level paper 040-34 Naval Architecture, which is sat once and counts towards both the Second Engineer and the Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency. Official: SQA written academic examination in Naval Architecture for Second Engineer / management engineer STCW Reg. III/2 pathways under MSN 1857. Syllabus sections: Hydrostatics; Simpson’s Rule; Ship Stability; Ship Resistance (including propellers); Admiralty Coefficients; Fuel Consumption; Ship Terminology; Ship Construction; Ship Stresses; Ventilation and Drainage of Compartments. This practice set converts that assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency, with emphasis on hydrostatics, stability and strength-related calculations.
Time limit: As scheduled by SQA on the published Marine Engineer Officers examination diet (040-34 Naval Architecture listed as a 0915 theoretical sitting on current public timetables). Confirm exact paper duration with your approved centre or current SQA diet guidance.
Exam / certification fees: Confirm the current SQA Naval Architecture (040-34) examination fee and any centre administration charges with your MCA-approved training centre before booking (centre fee schedules are revised periodically; academic subjects are typically charged per paper). Official sources

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MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill TPC and density/FWA problems until automatic: Δd (cm) ≈ mass/TPC, and lower density always increases draught at constant displacement

2Memorise the form-coefficient set: Cb = ∇/(LBd), Cp = ∇/(Am·L), Cm = Am/(Bd), Cw = Aw/(LB) — mixed definitions are a common fail

3For small-angle stability, always start from GM = KB + BM − KG and BM = I/∇ (box: BM = B²/(12d), KB = d/2)

4Practise inclining experiment algebra: GM ≈ m·d/(Δ·θ) with θ in radians (or the equivalent tan θ form your college teaches) and free-surface corrections

5Keep propeller slip clear: apparent slip uses ship speed vs pitch×revs; real slip uses speed of advance Va = Vs(1 − w)

6Voyage fuel under constant SFC and power ∝ V³: fuel/day ∝ V³ and voyage fuel ∝ V² — show the powers, not just arithmetic

7Link hull girder words to stress sign: hogging tensions the deck; sagging compresses the deck; name the structure that resists each

8Work past written papers under timed conditions — the real assessment is calculation and sketch/explanation based, not multiple choice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MCA Second Engineer Naval Architecture exam?

It is the SQA written academic examination in Naval Architecture for candidates on the UK MCA Second Engineer Officer / management engineer STCW Reg. III/2 pathway. The official syllabus is published on GOV.UK under Second Engineer Written Examination Syllabuses and covers hydrostatics through ventilation and drainage.

What is the official pass mark?

MSN 1857 requires a pass mark of at least 50% in all SQA Second Engineer academic examinations at this level, including Naval Architecture (unless you hold a qualifying exemption). Confirm any later MCA amendments with your approved centre.

Is the real exam multiple choice?

No. The official SQA assessment is a closed-book written paper (subject 040-34 Naval Architecture on management engineer theoretical diets). These free practice items are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus — not an official SQA paper simulation.

What topics does the syllabus cover?

Hydrostatics (displacement, TPC, density, form coefficients, wetted surface); Simpson’s Rule; ship stability (CG shifts, small-angle stability, inclining, bilging); ship resistance and propellers; Admiralty Coefficients; fuel consumption; ship terminology; ship construction; ship stresses; and ventilation and drainage of compartments.

How much does the exam cost?

SQA academic subject fees and centre administration charges change over time. Confirm the current Naval Architecture (040-34) fee with your MCA-approved training centre before booking.

Who administers the exam?

Written papers are set and marked under SQA arrangements on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and are taken at approved examination centres on published diets.

Can HND or degree holders be exempt?

MSN 1857 provides for academic exemptions when an approved HND/higher programme (or audited equivalent) matches the MCA syllabuses and each subject is passed at the required mark (at least 50% in the individual subjects presented). Engineering Knowledge papers and the MCA oral remain separate requirements. Confirm exemptions with IAMI/MCA via your college.