Tides
1. A tidal curve gives height above chart datum. What must you add before checking clearance under a keel?
Depth available is charted depth plus height of tide. Compare that with draft and a sensible safety margin.
Practice questions
Yachtmaster practice questions with explanations
Use active recall to check whether you can apply the syllabus rather than just recognise it. The sample questions cover the kind of advanced knowledge areas Yachtmaster candidates need to be fluent with.
Start with the free diagnostic, then move into module quizzes and mixed practice.
Free sample
Free 10-question Yachtmaster diagnostic
Try sample questions across the Yachtmaster theory knowledge areas. These are independent revision questions, not official RYA exam questions.
Open mixed practiceCOLREGs
2. Two power-driven vessels meet head-on. What should both do?
In a head-on situation between power-driven vessels, both alter to starboard so they pass port-to-port.
Chartwork
3. Which chart scale should you use to measure nautical miles with dividers?
One minute of latitude equals one nautical mile, so distance is transferred to the side latitude scale.
Weather
4. In a shipping forecast, what does veering mean?
Veering means the wind direction shifts clockwise, such as south-west to west.
Buoyage
5. In IALA Region A, which colour marks the starboard side of a channel when entering from seaward?
In IALA Region A, green marks are kept to starboard when entering harbour from seaward.
Terminology
6. What does aft mean on a boat?
Aft means towards the stern. Fore or forward means towards the bow.
Visual aids
7. What does an isophase light display?
An isophase light has equal periods of light and dark in each repeated cycle.
Pilotage
8. What does it usually mean if an approach sector light changes from white to red?
A colour change means your bearing from the light has crossed into another sector. Check the chart before correcting.
Safety
9. Why is a kill cord worn when helming a powered craft?
A kill cord is attached to the helm and engine stop switch so the engine stops if the helm is thrown away from the controls.
Restricted visibility
10. What is one of the first actions when fog descends?
Fix your position while visual references are still available, then reduce speed, show lights and use the correct sound signals.
Practise application, not recognition
Yachtmaster questions often hinge on method: which correction comes first, when to cross-check an electronic fix, how to time a tidal gate, or how a forecast changes the plan.
Use weak areas to choose the next module
If a question exposes a weak area, go straight to that module. Chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs reward repeated passes.
Keep official assessment boundaries clear
These are independent revision questions, not official RYA exam questions, leaked papers, or answer keys.
Free downloads
Useful resources to share or print
Yachtmaster theory revision checklist
A one-page checklist for advanced chartwork, tides, meteorology, COLREGs, pilotage, and passage-making revision.
Download PDFYachtmaster chartwork and passage-making quick reference
A compact reminder sheet for CTS, multi-hour tide vectors, secondary ports, deck log habits, and passage checks.
Download PDFCommon questions
Are these official RYA exam questions?
No. They are independent revision questions written to help you practise the Yachtmaster Offshore theory knowledge areas.
Can I practise one topic at a time?
Yes. Open any module and use its quiz before switching to mixed practice or the mock exam.
Do the questions include explanations?
Yes. Feedback explains the reasoning so each question becomes a revision step rather than just a score.
Keep exploring
Related Yachtmaster revision pages
Mock exam practice
Try a free Yachtmaster theory mini mock, then open the full independent timed mock for mixed chartwork, COLREGs, tides, weather, and passage-making practice.
Flashcards
Use Yachtmaster flashcards for COLREGs, lights, shapes, tidal terms, meteorology, chartwork definitions, and advanced passage-planning recall.
Advanced revision plan
Use a focused Yachtmaster Offshore theory revision plan covering advanced chartwork, tidal streams, meteorology, pilotage, and passage making.