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100+ Free USCG Mate GLI Unlimited Practice Questions

Prepare for the USCG Mate Great Lakes and Inland of Unlimited Tonnage exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: USCG Mate GLI Unlimited Exam

GLI02

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

~300

Typical GLI Path Questions

Q100+Q308–Q312 module sums

87%

Chart Plot Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide

90%

Rules of the Road Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide

$110

Exam Fee (Upper Level)

46 CFR 10.219

$255

Typical Original Total Fee

Evaluation + exam + issuance

GLI02 Mate Great Lakes and Inland Unlimited is modular. Typical modules: Rules of the Road (50 at 90%), Deck General/Safety (70 each at 70%), Navigation General GLI (70 at 70%), Chart Plot (15 at ~87%), and Great Lakes Topics (25 at 70%). A full Q100+Q308–Q312 path is about 300 questions. Upper-level original fees are about $100+$110+$45. This free bank is an English MCQ study aid for mate-level unlimited inland/GL service.

Sample USCG Mate GLI Unlimited Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Mate GLI Unlimited 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, a proper lookout must be maintained 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 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.
2Under Rule 7, risk of collision shall be deemed to exist when:
A.You hear a fog signal abaft the beam
B.The compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change
C.Another vessel is more than 12 miles away on radar
D.You are overtaking and will pass more than 1 mile clear
Explanation: Rule 7 states that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change and the vessels are closing.
3Under the Inland Rules, the exchange of maneuvering whistle signals between two power-driven vessels meeting or crossing is required when they are in sight of one another and within:
A.One mile of each other
B.Two miles of each other
C.Half a mile of each other
D.Any distance at which the whistle can be heard
Explanation: Inland Rule 34(a) applies when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other. Each vessel underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by the Rules, indicates that maneuver by the prescribed whistle signal, and the other vessel answers.
4Under Rule 14(c), when a vessel is in any doubt as to whether a head-on situation exists, she shall:
A.Assume that no such situation exists and hold her course
B.Sound one short blast and wait for a reply before acting
C.Alter course to port to open the passing distance
D.Assume that it does exist and act accordingly
Explanation: Rule 14(c) states that when a vessel is in any doubt as to whether a head-on situation exists, she shall assume that it does exist and act accordingly — which under Rule 14(a) means altering course to starboard for a port-to-port passing.
5A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when she is coming up with another vessel from a direction more than:
A.22.5 degrees abaft her beam
B.45 degrees abaft her beam
C.10 degrees either side of the stern
D.45 degrees forward of the beam
Explanation: Rule 13 defines an overtaking vessel as one coming up with another from a direction more than 22.5° abaft her beam (i.e., in such a position that at night she would see only the sternlight).
6In a narrow channel, a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not:
A.Sound any whistle signal
B.Impede the passage of a vessel that can navigate only within the channel
C.Display sidelights
D.Use radar for collision avoidance
Explanation: Rule 9 requires that a vessel of less than 20 m 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.
7Under Inland Rules, when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing with risk of collision, a vessel intending to leave the other on her port side sounds:
A.Two short blasts
B.Three short blasts
C.One short blast
D.One prolonged blast
Explanation: Inland Rule 34: one short blast means “I intend to leave you on my port side.” Two short blasts means leave you on my starboard side.
8Under the Inland Rules, a vessel that receives a maneuvering whistle signal it does not agree with shall:
A.Ignore the signal and proceed as originally planned
B.Answer with the same signal to acknowledge that it was heard
C.Sound one prolonged blast and stop engines
D.Sound the danger signal of at least five short and rapid blasts and take appropriate precautionary action
Explanation: Inland Rule 34(a)(ii) has the other vessel, if in agreement, sound the same signal and take the steps necessary for safe passing. Rule 34(d) covers disagreement or doubt: the vessel shall immediately sound at least five short and rapid blasts, and each vessel shall take appropriate precautionary action until a safe passing agreement is reached.
9In restricted visibility under Rule 19, a power-driven vessel hearing apparently forward of her beam the fog signal of another vessel shall, so far as the circumstances of the case admit:
A.Reduce speed to the minimum at which she can be kept on course, and if necessary take all way off
B.Increase to full sea speed to clear the area quickly
C.Sound five short blasts and continue at the same speed
D.Alter course to port toward the signal
Explanation: Rule 19 requires that except where it has been determined that risk of collision does not exist, a vessel that hears a fog signal apparently forward of her beam shall reduce to minimum steerageway and if necessary take all way off and navigate with extreme caution until danger of collision is over.
10A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit sidelights, a sternlight, and:
A.Only an all-round white light
B.A masthead light forward; vessels 50 m or more shall also exhibit a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one
C.Three all-round red lights in a vertical line
D.A flashing yellow light only
Explanation: Rule 23 requires power-driven vessels underway to show a masthead light forward (and a second masthead light if 50 m or more in length), sidelights, and a sternlight.

About the USCG Mate GLI Unlimited Exam

The USCG Mate Great Lakes and Inland of Unlimited Tonnage examination (NMC exam code GLI02) is the upper-level national deck knowledge path for unlimited tonnage mate service on Great Lakes and inland waters. Modules emphasize mate-of-watch Rules of the Road, deck general and safety, Great Lakes and inland navigation, chart plot (about 87% to pass), and Great Lakes Topics when applicable.

Assessment

GLI02: Q100 and/or Q300 Rules of the Road (50, 90%); Q308 Deck General (70, 70%); Q309 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q310 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (70, 70%); Q311 Chart Plot (15, 87%); Q312 Great Lakes Topics (25, 70%) for Great Lakes and Inland routes. Q313 is Mate Unlimited Tonnage 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

$110 examination fee; ~$255 typical original upper-level total ($100 evaluation + $110 exam + $45 issuance) (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Mate GLI Unlimited Exam Content Outline

~17%

Rules of the Road

Inland/COLREGS for unlimited mates.

~23%

Deck General

Mate-of-watch seamanship and operations.

~23%

Deck Safety

Safety, stability, and emergency response.

~23%

Navigation General

Great Lakes and inland navigation knowledge.

~14%

Chart Plot and Great Lakes Topics

Plotting and Great Lakes-specific topics.

How to Pass the USCG Mate GLI Unlimited Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road; about 87% chart plot
  • Assessment: GLI02: Q100 and/or Q300 Rules of the Road (50, 90%); Q308 Deck General (70, 70%); Q309 Deck Safety (70, 70%); Q310 Navigation General Great Lakes and Inland (70, 70%); Q311 Chart Plot (15, 87%); Q312 Great Lakes Topics (25, 70%) for Great Lakes and Inland routes. Q313 is Mate Unlimited Tonnage 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: $110 examination fee; ~$255 typical original upper-level total ($100 evaluation + $110 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 Unlimited 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 GLI02 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 GLI02 exam?

GLI02 is modular. Core modules include Rules of the Road (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 upper-level officer path is about $100 evaluation, $110 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 GLI02 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.