Free practice test
RYA Yachtmaster practice test
A free RYA Yachtmaster mock exam with 30 questions. Take it against the clock and the pass mark, or read through the answers: every one is explained, so you learn from each mistake.
Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC
- 30 questions
- 25 minutes
- Pass: 24 of 30
This is our practice format, not the official one: check the current exam format with the exam authority.
This mock covers only the parts our question bank teaches: the steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, sound signals, and IALA buoyage. The official exam also tests other subjects, so study those from the official syllabus.
These are IALACOLREG's own study questions, not official exam questions.
Take it as a timed test
25 minutes on the clock. The answers stay hidden until you finish, then you see your score against the pass mark.
Questions and answers
1.Special marks are coloured:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Yellow
Special marks are yellow, indicating special areas like military zones, cables, or pipelines.
2.Navigation lights must be displayed:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. From sunset to sunrise and, if carried, also by day in restricted visibility
Rule 20(b) requires prescribed lights from sunset to sunrise. Under 20(c), those lights, if carried, must also be shown by day in restricted visibility and may be shown in other circumstances when deemed necessary.
3.Do special marks normally replace suitable lateral or cardinal marks?
Show answer
Correct answer: C. No, as a rule they do not take the place of those marks
R1001: special marks generally do not replace suitable lateral or cardinal marks; they indicate an area or feature described in charts and publications.
4.Before she is finally past and clear, an overtaking vessel's bearing changes to resemble a crossing position. What is her duty?
Show answer
Correct answer: B. She remains the overtaking vessel and must keep clear
Rule 13(d): a later bearing change does not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel or relieve her duty until she is finally past and clear.
5.Two sailing vessels in sight approach with risk of collision, neither overtaking, and have wind on different sides. Which gives way?
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The vessel with wind on port side gives way
Rule 12(a)(i): when each has wind on a different side, the vessel with wind on port side keeps out of the way.
6.What body shape does an emergency wreck marking buoy have?
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Pillar or spar
R1001: the emergency wreck marking buoy is a pillar or spar buoy. Can and conical shapes are lateral shapes; spherical is used by safe water marks.
7.A masthead light shows over an arc of:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 225 degrees
Rule 21(a): masthead light shows over an arc of 225 degrees from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side.
8.For a vessel of 50m or more, the masthead light must be visible at:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 6 nautical miles
Rule 22: masthead light of vessels 50m+ must be visible at a minimum of 6 nautical miles.
9.Two power-driven vessels in sight are crossing with risk of collision. The give-way vessel has the other on her:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Starboard side
Rule 15: the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way.
10.Under Rule 32, how long does a 'prolonged blast' last?
Show answer
Correct answer: C. From four to six seconds
Rule 32(c): a prolonged blast is a blast of from four to six seconds' duration. A blast of about one second is a short blast (Rule 32(b)).
11.Where it is impracticable for a seaplane or WIG craft to show the lights and shapes prescribed in Part C, she must:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar as possible in characteristics and position to those prescribed
Rule 31: where compliance is impracticable, seaplanes and WIG craft shall exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar in characteristics and position as possible.
12.When obliged to cross a traffic lane, what heading should a vessel use?
Show answer
Correct answer: C. As nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow
Rule 10(c): avoid crossing traffic lanes so far as practicable; if obliged to cross, use a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. This specifies heading, not ground track.
13.If in doubt whether a head-on situation exists:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Assume it IS a head-on situation and alter to starboard
Rule 14(c): when in doubt, assume it IS a head-on situation and act accordingly.
14.From what length must a vessel be provided with a bell in addition to a whistle?
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 20 metres or more
Rule 33(a): a vessel of 12 m or more has a whistle; from 20 m she also has a bell; from 100 m she additionally has a gong.
15.The Steering and Sailing Rules in Section II (Rules 11–18) apply:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only to vessels in sight of one another
Rule 11: rules in Section II apply only to vessels in sight of one another, meaning one can be observed visually from the other. Radar contact alone does not count.
16.Which of these is listed in Annex IV (Rule 37) as a visual distress signal?
Show answer
Correct answer: D. A smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke
Rule 37 / Annex IV: a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke is a distress signal. Annex IV rockets throw red stars, and its parachute and hand flares show a red light; blue or white lights are not on the list.
17.Emergency wreck marking buoys are used for:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Marking new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks
The emergency wreck marking buoy marks new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks. The competent authority determines further marking once the danger is removed or its information has been sufficiently promulgated.
18.By day you see a spar buoy, black with a broad red horizontal band, carrying two black spheres one above the other. Which mark is it?
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Isolated danger mark
Black with one or more red horizontal bands and a topmark of two black spheres identify an isolated danger mark, set on or near a danger with navigable water around it.
19.An air-cushion vessel operating in non-displacement mode must additionally show:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. An all-round flashing yellow light
Rule 23(b): an air-cushion vessel in non-displacement mode shows an all-round flashing yellow light.
20.The day shape for a power-driven vessel towing astern when the tow exceeds 200 metres is:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. A diamond shape
Rule 24(a)(v): a diamond shape is shown where it can best be seen if the tow exceeds 200 metres, measured from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow.
21.The day shape for a vessel of 12 metres or more aground is:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Three balls vertically
Rule 30(d): three balls in a vertical line is the day shape for a vessel aground.
22.A vessel less than 20m in a narrow channel:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Shall not impede vessels that can only navigate within the channel
Rule 9(b): vessels under 20m shall not impede vessels which can safely navigate only within the channel.
23.If fitted, the topmark of an East cardinal mark is:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Two black cones, base to base
East cardinal: two black cones base to base, black-yellow-black bands, and a white light (if fitted) of 3 quick or very quick flashes.
24.Which sound signal is listed in Annex IV (Rule 37) as a distress signal?
Show answer
Correct answer: B. A continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus
Rule 37 / Annex IV: a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus is a distress signal. Five short and rapid blasts is the Rule 34(d) doubt signal; short-prolonged-short is the Rule 35(g) anchor warning; four short blasts is the Rule 35(k) pilot identity signal.
25.A vessel has whistles fitted more than 100 metres apart. How must she give manoeuvring and warning signals?
Show answer
Correct answer: A. On one of the whistles only
Rule 34(f): if whistles are fitted on a vessel at a distance apart of more than 100 metres, one whistle only shall be used for giving manoeuvring and warning signals.
26.Approaching a harbour from seaward, how is the conventional direction of buoyage usually taken, and where do you confirm it?
Show answer
Correct answer: D. From seaward toward the harbour, checked on the chart
In many approaches the conventional direction of buoyage runs from seaward toward the harbour, but rivers, estuaries and local systems may define it differently, so confirm it on the chart.
27.Safe water marks are used as:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Fairway or mid-channel marks
Safe water marks are used as fairway, mid-channel, or landfall marks.
28.Under Rule 35(a), a power-driven vessel making way through the water in restricted visibility sounds:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. One prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes
Rule 35(a): one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
29.If circumstances admit, action to avoid collision shall be:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Positive, made in ample time
Rule 8(a) requires action in accordance with Part B and, if circumstances admit, positive action made in ample time with due regard to good seamanship.
30.Under Rule 36, which kind of light shall be avoided when attracting another vessel's attention?
Show answer
Correct answer: D. High-intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobes
Rule 36: attention signals must not be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in the Rules or for an aid to navigation, and a searchlight may be directed toward the danger. For this purpose the use of high-intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided.
IALACOLREG Exam Pass
Want a fresh mock every time?
The Exam Pass gives you unlimited random mock exams, a mistake bank that brings back every question you miss until you get it right, and your exam-readiness score.
once · 12 months · no subscription