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100+ Free USCG Master GLI 500-1600 Practice Questions

Prepare for the USCG Master Great Lakes and Inland of Less Than 500–1600 GRT exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: USCG Master GLI 500-1600 Exam

GLI03

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

~295

Typical GLI Path Questions

Q100+Q320–Q324 module sums

90%

Rules & Chart Plot Pass

USCG Deck Guide

$95

Exam Fee (Lower Level)

46 CFR 10.219

$240

Typical Original Total Fee

Evaluation + exam + issuance

500–1600

GRT Band (Exam Code)

NMC GLI03

GLI03 Master Great Lakes and Inland less than 500–1600 GRT is modular. Typical modules: Rules (50 at 90%), Deck General/Safety (70 each at 70%), Navigation General GLI (70 at 70%), Chart Plot (10 at 90%), Great Lakes Topics (25 at 70%) when required. A full Q100+Q320–Q324 path is about 295 questions. Lower-level original fees are about $100+$95+$45 under 46 CFR 10.219. This free bank is an English MCQ study aid.

Sample USCG Master GLI 500-1600 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Master GLI 500-1600 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1As master on watch under Rule 5 (Inland and International), you must maintain a proper lookout by:
A.Sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
B.AIS alone when traffic density is low
C.Radar only in restricted visibility
D.Visual observation only when the vessel is less than 500 GRT
Explanation: Rule 5 requires every vessel to maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing and by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions. Tonnage does not reduce that duty.
2Rule 7(a) requires every vessel to use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances to determine whether risk of collision exists, and adds that:
A.If there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist
B.Risk may be discounted whenever the other vessel is transmitting on AIS
C.Risk of collision arises only inside a traffic separation scheme
D.Only the give-way vessel need make the determination
Explanation: Rule 7(a) puts the burden of doubt on the side of caution: if there is any doubt whether risk of collision exists, it shall be deemed to exist. The master or officer of the watch therefore acts on the assumption of risk rather than waiting for proof of it.
3Under Rule 8(f), a vessel that is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall:
A.Take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the other vessel
B.Wait until risk of collision actually exists before taking any action
C.Assume the other vessel will give way if the situation develops
D.Sound five short and rapid blasts and hold her course
Explanation: Rule 8(f)(i) requires a vessel that must not impede another to take early action to allow sufficient sea room for the other's safe passage. Rule 8(f)(iii) then makes clear that if risk of collision does develop, she remains fully bound by the steering and sailing rules.
4Under both Inland and International Rules, any vessel overtaking any other shall:
A.Keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken
B.Maintain course and speed until abeam
C.Sound two prolonged blasts and stand on
D.Alter course to port only if the overtaken vessel is fishing
Explanation: Rule 13 provides that any vessel overtaking any other shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. The overtaking vessel is give-way until finally past and clear.
5Under both the Inland and the International Rules, three short blasts on the whistle mean:
A.I am operating astern propulsion
B.I intend to overtake you on your starboard side
C.I am altering my course to port
D.I am in doubt as to your intentions
Explanation: Three short blasts carry the same meaning in both sets of Rules: I am operating astern propulsion. The difference between the systems lies in the one- and two-blast signals — under the International Rules they announce action already being taken, while under the Inland Rules they announce intention and must be answered.
6Under Inland Rules on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with a following current shall:
A.Have the right-of-way over an upbound vessel and propose the manner of passage; the upbound vessel shall hold as necessary
B.Always keep to the starboard side of the channel and never sound signals
C.Yield to all upbound traffic because following current makes her less maneuverable
D.Anchor if another vessel is within 1 mile ahead
Explanation: Inland Rule 9 provisions for Great Lakes, Western Rivers, and specified waters give a downbound power-driven vessel with a following current the right-of-way over an upbound vessel. The downbound vessel proposes the manner of passage; the upbound vessel holds as necessary.
7A power-driven vessel underway, making way, shall exhibit which navigation lights under the Rules?
A.Sidelights, a sternlight, and a masthead light (or lights as required by length)
B.Only a white all-round light at the masthead
C.Sidelights only, when less than 50 meters
D.Two red lights in a vertical line only
Explanation: A power-driven vessel underway exhibits sidelights, a sternlight, and masthead light(s) as required by length (Rule 23).
8Under Rule 19 (conduct of vessels in restricted visibility), a vessel which detects by radar alone another vessel forward of her beam should:
A.Determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and take avoiding action in ample time; if so, avoid an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam so far as possible
B.Always turn hard to port to open the CPA
C.Maintain course and speed until visual contact is made
D.Sound five short blasts and stop only after collision is imminent
Explanation: Rule 19 requires action in ample time when a close-quarters situation is developing. Except for a vessel being overtaken, avoid alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam so far as possible.
9Under Inland Rules, a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. This is most closely associated with:
A.Rule 9 (narrow channels)
B.Rule 18 (responsibilities between vessels) only
C.Rule 10 (traffic separation schemes) only
D.Rule 13 (overtaking) only
Explanation: Inland and International Rule 9 addresses narrow channels and fairways, including duties not to impede vessels that can safely navigate only within the channel.
10The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation shall initially:
A.Keep her course and speed, but may take action if it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
B.Always stop engines immediately
C.Alter course to port across the give-way vessel's bow
D.Sound one prolonged blast every two minutes
Explanation: Rule 17 requires the stand-on vessel to keep her course and speed. She may take action as soon as it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action, and shall take action when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone.

About the USCG Master GLI 500-1600 Exam

The USCG Master Great Lakes and Inland of Less Than 500–1600 GRT examination (NMC exam code GLI03) is the national deck knowledge path for limited-tonnage master service on Great Lakes and inland waters. Modules cover Rules of the Road, deck general, deck safety, Great Lakes and inland navigation general, chart plot, and Great Lakes Topics when the route requires them. NMC notes that raise of grade from Master less than 500 GRT to less than 1600 GRT may be without further examination.

Assessment

GLI03: Q100 and/or Q300 Rules of the Road (50, 90%); Q320 Deck General (70, 70%); Q321 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q322 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (70, 70%); Q323 Chart Plot (10, 90%); Q324 Great Lakes Topics (25, 70%) for Great Lakes and Inland routes. Raise of grade from Master less than 500 GRT to less than 1600 GRT may require no further examination per NMC Deck Guide. Q325 is Master LT 500-1600 GRT Renewal Open Book Exercise.

Time Limit

Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week

Passing Score

70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road; 90% chart plot

Exam Fee

$95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance) (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Master GLI 500-1600 Exam Content Outline

~17%

Rules of the Road

Collision regulations for limited-tonnage masters on inland/GL waters.

~24%

Deck General

Seamanship and shipboard management.

~24%

Deck Safety

Safety, stability, and emergencies.

~24%

Navigation General

Great Lakes and inland navigation.

~11%

Chart Plot and Great Lakes Topics

Plotting and Great Lakes-specific topics.

How to Pass the USCG Master GLI 500-1600 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road; 90% chart plot
  • Assessment: GLI03: Q100 and/or Q300 Rules of the Road (50, 90%); Q320 Deck General (70, 70%); Q321 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q322 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (70, 70%); Q323 Chart Plot (10, 90%); Q324 Great Lakes Topics (25, 70%) for Great Lakes and Inland routes. Raise of grade from Master less than 500 GRT to less than 1600 GRT may require no further examination per NMC Deck Guide. Q325 is Master LT 500-1600 GRT Renewal Open Book Exercise.
  • Time limit: Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week
  • Exam fee: $95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

USCG Master GLI 500-1600 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Overprepare for Rules of the Road because those modules require 90% to pass.
2Know when Inland Rules differ from COLREGS (sound signals, lights, narrow channels, Western Rivers/Great Lakes special rules).
3Drill chart-plot routines: largest scale chart, regular fixes, set and drift, and standard plotting symbology.
4Practice speed-time-distance and course-to-steer arithmetic until automatic under time pressure.
5Study ice navigation, seiches, and Great Lakes weather if your route includes Great Lakes Topics modules.
6Take timed sets of 50–70 questions to match REC module length.
7Memorize required lights, shapes, and sound signals for power-driven vessels, towing, fishing, and restricted-visibility situations.
8Review stability, damage control, firefighting, and abandon-ship procedures for deck safety modules.
9Confirm whether your application needs Q100 (Inland and International) to avoid a COLREGS limitation.
10Study the GLI03 module list on the NMC examinations pages and take only the Rules module path that matches your COLREGS limitation choice.
11Inland routes do not take Great Lakes Topics modules; Great Lakes and Inland routes do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the USCG GLI03 exam?

GLI03 is modular for Master less than 500–1600 GRT on Great Lakes and inland routes. Typical modules: Rules (50), Deck General (70), Deck Safety (70), Navigation General GLI (70), Chart Plot (10), and Great Lakes Topics (25) when required.

What passing score do I need?

Most modules require 70%. Rules of the Road requires 90%. Chart plot requires 90%. Great Lakes Topics modules (when required) generally require 70%.

How much does the exam cost?

Under 46 CFR 10.219, a typical original lower-level officer path is about $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance. Medical, drug testing, and training costs are separate. Pay via Pay.gov.

Can I take the exam remotely?

No. These deck officer modules are administered in person at U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers (RECs). There is no approved remote-testing option for these endorsements.

What is the difference between Inland-only and Great Lakes and Inland Rules modules?

For Great Lakes and Inland routes, Rules of the Road is Inland and International (Q100). For Inland routes, applicants may take Inland-only Rules (Q300), but Inland-only Rules result in a geographic COLREGS limitation on the MMC unless Q100 is also completed (46 CFR 11.430).

Are open-book renewal exercises the same as the original modules?

Renewal open-book exercises (for example, master/mate unlimited or limited-tonnage renewal papers listed in the Deck Guide) are separate from original GLI03 knowledge modules. This bank focuses on original-module knowledge.

What calculator can I bring?

The NMC policy letter of December 2, 2024 superseded the earlier TI-30XIIS-only rule. At a Regional Exam Center you may use a programmable calculator with memory if all programs and memory are cleared before entry and you can demonstrate clearing with the manufacturer's instructions. If the examiner cannot confirm the device is cleared, a TI-30XIIS is provided instead. Only one calculator is allowed; other electronics including smart watches are not permitted.

Is this free practice bank an official Coast Guard exam?

No. This is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation for exam prep. Official modules are administered by the Coast Guard at RECs and may include chart-plot and calculation items that this bank approximates with knowledge and calculation MCQs.