BD Deck Officer Class 1 (Master) exam-day guide
BD Deck Officer Class 1 (Master) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter and photo ID
Bring the admission letter or appointment confirmation issued for this examination plus a current government-issued photo ID. Confirm with the provider whether the ID must be the original passport (the document used in your maritime certification file) or whether a national identity card is accepted, and whether a photocopy is ever permitted. Do not assume a digital copy on a phone will be accepted.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models are approved. If permitted, bring a non-programmable type with no communication capability, fresh batteries, and know how to clear its memory. Many maritime administrations restrict or supply calculators, so verify rather than assume.
Nautical tables, formulae sheet, or supplied reference material
Ask the provider in advance what reference material is supplied on screen or on paper (for example stability formulae, load line tables, or a list of standard formulae). If you are allowed to bring your own, confirm the exact permitted list. Do not bring annotated or loose-leaf personal notes unless explicitly allowed.
Plotting and drawing instruments
For chartwork or stability drawing questions, bring parallel rules or a rolling plotter, dividers, compasses, sharp pencils, eraser, and a soft rubber. Confirm with the provider whether instruments are supplied at the desk and whether any type is prohibited.
Watch (non-smart) and simple stationery
A basic wristwatch helps you pace timed sections if the test screen clock is small. Bring only plain pens and pencils if paper working is allowed; confirm with the provider whether scrap paper is supplied and must be collected at the end.
Review the published syllabus and pass standard
Re-read the provider's syllabus, section weightings, and pass mark for each paper. Confirm with the provider the exact scoring rule (for example whether all papers must be passed individually or an aggregate applies) so you know what a strong performance on one paper can and cannot compensate for.
Confirm test format and timing
Verify with the provider the number of questions, time allowed, whether sections are separately timed, whether questions can be reviewed and changed before submission, and whether negative marking applies. Format details vary between administrations and providers and should not be guessed.
Plan travel and arrive early
Check the test centre address, transport, and security screening time. Aim to arrive with a comfortable margin; confirm with the provider the latest arrival time after which a candidate may be refused entry, and what happens if you are delayed.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Long professional examinations are endurance events. Plan a normal night's sleep, a proper meal before the session, and water. Confirm with the provider whether drinks and snacks are allowed at the desk or only during scheduled breaks.
Personal medication and accessibility arrangements
If you need medication, extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm with the provider well before the date that approval has been recorded. Bring any approval documentation. Do not rely on requesting adjustments on the day.
Leave prohibited items behind or plan storage
Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices are normally banned from the test room. Confirm with the provider where such items can be stored and the consequence of being found with them. Leaving them at home removes the risk entirely.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the examination office contact number in case of transport failure or illness. Confirm with the provider the procedure for reporting an emergency and whether any allowance is made for documented exceptional circumstances.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Spend the final three days on consolidation: rework your own summary sheets, practise a small number of timed questions under exam conditions, and rehearse standard calculation routines (for example great-circle and mercator sailing, stability and trim, and cargo calculations) so the method is automatic. Confirm all logistics: test centre location, start time, ID requirements, and permitted equipment, checking with the provider where anything is unclear.
Do a final equipment check. Lay out admission letter, photo ID, approved calculator with fresh batteries, plotting instruments, and stationery. Read the provider's candidate instructions once more for prohibited items and desk rules. Resolve any remaining uncertainty by contacting the provider rather than assuming.
Switch to light review only: skim your summary sheets and formula lists, but avoid heavy new problem sets that could undermine confidence. Prepare clothes and travel plan, charge nothing that must stay switched off, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed at your usual time. If you feel unwell, check the provider's illness policy now rather than on the morning.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the centre with time to spare for ID checks and security. Keep conversation with other candidates light and avoid last-minute debate about answers, which raises anxiety. Switch off and stow your phone before entering the secure area.
Read the instructions on screen or paper carefully, confirm the time allowed and how to navigate and flag questions, and check that any supplied reference material is complete. Note the start time and calculate checkpoint times for the sections. If something is wrong with the workstation or paper, raise it with the invigilator immediately.
Answer in passes. First pass: answer questions you know quickly, flagging anything that needs calculation or thought. Second pass: work the flagged questions, showing structured working for calculation items so partial credit, if offered, is visible. Third pass: check units, signs, and significant figures, and ensure no question is left blank unless the scoring rule penalises wrong answers.
Use scheduled breaks to stand, drink water, and reset; do not use them to compare answers with others. In the final minutes, confirm all answers are recorded, flagged items are resolved or guessed according to the scoring rule, and any paper materials are handed in as instructed. Leave the room only when dismissed.
Rules to check
Bring the identification specified by the provider and present it on request. If you are unsure which document is acceptable, confirm with the provider before the test day; do not present an alternative document without prior approval.
Follow all instructions from invigilators. They control entry, seating, breaks, and dismissal. If an instruction conflicts with something you expected, ask rather than act on your own assumption.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or other unauthorised electronic devices into the test room. Confirm with the provider where permitted items may be stored and what happens if a device is found; the safest course is to leave them at home.
Only use reference material, calculators, and instruments that the provider permits. Confirm the approved list in advance. Sharing materials, talking, or attempting to view another candidate's work is misconduct.
Breaks are normally taken only at times set by the provider, and you may be required to remain supervised during them. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are allowed and whether the clock stops.
Understand the scoring rule before you sit: confirm with the provider whether each paper must be passed separately, whether negative marking applies, and whether partial credit is given for working. This determines whether you should guess on unknown items.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper, equipment, or conditions, report it to the invigilator at the time and note the details afterwards. Confirm with the provider the procedure and deadline for any later representation.
If you are ill or unable to attend, contact the provider as early as possible and ask about documented exceptional circumstances. Do not assume a deferral or refund will be granted automatically.