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100+ Free USCG Mate GLI 500-1600 Practice Questions

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

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: USCG Mate GLI 500-1600 Exam

GLI04

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

~300

Typical GLI Path Questions

Q100+Q327–Q331 module sums

87%

Chart Plot Pass Score

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 GLI04

GLI04 Mate 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 (15 at ~87%), Great Lakes Topics (25 at 70%) when required. A full Q100+Q327–Q331 path is about 300 questions. Lower-level original fees are about $100+$95+$45. This free bank is an English MCQ study aid for mate-level limited-tonnage inland/GL service.

Sample USCG Mate GLI 500-1600 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Mate 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 mate on watch under Rule 5 (Inland and International), you must maintain a proper lookout by:
A.Radar alone when visibility is restricted
B.AIS only when other vessels are within 6 nautical miles
C.Sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
D.Visual observation only, because electronics can mislead
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.
2Your vessel is fitted with operational radar. Under Rule 7 you must:
A.Rely on the radar picture alone and dispense with visual bearings
B.Use the radar only when visibility falls below two miles
C.Assume that a target not shown on AIS is not a real vessel
D.Carry out long-range scanning for early warning and plot or systematically observe detected objects
Explanation: Rule 7(b) requires proper use of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision, and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects.
3Rule 16 states the duty of the give-way vessel. She shall, so far as possible:
A.Sound one prolonged blast before making any alteration
B.Cross ahead of the stand-on vessel so as to clear the situation quickly
C.Take early and substantial action to keep well clear
D.Match the stand-on vessel's speed until the situation resolves
Explanation: Rule 16 requires every vessel directed to keep out of the way of another to take early and substantial action to keep well clear. Rule 15 adds that in a crossing situation she shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.
4Two sailing vessels are approaching one another with risk of collision and each has the wind on a different side. Under Rule 12:
A.The vessel on the starboard tack keeps out of the way
B.The windward vessel keeps out of the way
C.Both alter course to starboard
D.The vessel which has the wind on the port side keeps out of the way of the other
Explanation: Rule 12(a)(i) provides that when each sailing vessel has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other. When both have the wind on the same side, Rule 12(a)(ii) makes the vessel to windward keep clear of the vessel to leeward.
5Under Rule 23, a power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may, in lieu of a masthead light and sternlight, exhibit:
A.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line
B.An all-round white light together with sidelights
C.A flashing yellow light only
D.No lights at all, provided a torch is kept ready
Explanation: Rule 23(d) allows a power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length to exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights instead of the masthead light and sternlight required of larger power-driven vessels.
6You are overtaking another vessel. Under Rule 13, you are:
A.The stand-on vessel if you are larger
B.Required only to sound one short blast and maintain course
C.The give-way vessel and must keep clear until finally past and clear
D.Free to cut across the overtaken vessel's bow once abeam
Explanation: Rule 13 makes any vessel overtaking any other the give-way vessel until she is finally past and clear.
7In restricted visibility under Rule 19, a vessel which detects by radar alone another vessel forward of her beam should determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and:
A.Always alter course to port to open the CPA
B.If so, take avoiding action in ample time; if altering course, avoid an alteration to port for a vessel forward of the beam so far as possible
C.Immediately reverse engines without assessing the situation
D.Sound five short blasts only and maintain course and speed
Explanation: Rule 19 requires early action when a close-quarters situation is developing and, so far as possible, avoids an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam (except overtaking).
8Under Inland Rules, the danger signal of at least five short and rapid blasts is used when:
A.Visibility drops below one nautical mile
B.A vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of another, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken
C.You intend to overtake on the starboard side
D.You are leaving a dock in a fairway
Explanation: Inland Rule 34 (and COLREGS Rule 34) provide the danger/doubt signal of at least five short and rapid blasts when intentions are unclear or action is doubtful.
9In a narrow channel under Rule 9, a vessel of less than 20 meters or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel. As mate, you should:
A.Require the deep-draft vessel to leave the channel for you
B.Cross the channel at any angle without regard to other traffic
C.Keep clear of deep-draft traffic that is channel-bound and avoid creating a close-quarters situation
D.Anchor in mid-channel to wait for better weather
Explanation: Rule 9 restricts impeding vessels that can only navigate safely within a narrow channel or fairway; small craft and sailing vessels must not impede them.
10A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (not fishing) underway at night shows, among other lights:
A.Green over white all-round lights
B.Three all-round lights in a vertical line: red, white, red
C.One all-round white light only
D.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line only
Explanation: Rule 27 requires a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver to show three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen: the highest and lowest red and the middle white.

About the USCG Mate GLI 500-1600 Exam

The USCG Mate Great Lakes and Inland of Less Than 500–1600 GRT examination (NMC exam code GLI04) is the national deck knowledge path for limited-tonnage mate 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 (about 87%), and Great Lakes Topics when required.

Assessment

GLI04: Q100 and/or Q300 Rules of the Road (50, 90%); Q327 Deck General (70, 70%); Q328 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q329 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (70, 70%); Q330 Chart Plot (15, 87%); Q331 Great Lakes Topics (25, 70%) for Great Lakes and Inland routes. Q332 is Mate 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; about 87% 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 Mate GLI 500-1600 Exam Content Outline

~17%

Rules of the Road

Inland/COLREGS for limited-tonnage mates.

~23%

Deck General

Mate-of-watch seamanship and operations.

~23%

Deck Safety

Safety and emergency response.

~23%

Navigation General

Great Lakes and inland navigation.

~14%

Chart Plot and Great Lakes Topics

Plotting and Great Lakes topics.

How to Pass the USCG Mate GLI 500-1600 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road; about 87% chart plot
  • Assessment: GLI04: Q100 and/or Q300 Rules of the Road (50, 90%); Q327 Deck General (70, 70%); Q328 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q329 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (70, 70%); Q330 Chart Plot (15, 87%); Q331 Great Lakes Topics (25, 70%) for Great Lakes and Inland routes. Q332 is Mate 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 Mate 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 GLI04 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 GLI04 exam?

GLI04 is modular for Mate 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 (15 at about 87%), 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 about 87%. 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 GLI04 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.