FCC Restricted GMDSS (RG) exam-day guide
FCC Restricted GMDSS (RG) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, valid photo ID in the name used on your booking. A passport or national identity card is the safest choice. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID they accept and whether a photocopy or expired document is refused; do not assume a student card or employer badge will be accepted.
Booking confirmation and provider instructions
Print or download the confirmation email and any candidate information sheet. It usually states the test centre address, arrival time, what is allowed in the room, and the cancellation or rescheduling terms. Confirm with the provider if any detail is missing.
Know the exam format and pass mark
The FCC Restricted GMDSS (RG) element is a written multiple-choice test on basic GMDSS theory and radio regulations for restricted operators. Confirm with the provider the current number of questions, time limit, and passing score before you sit; these are set in the FCC rules and provider procedures and can differ from older study material.
Bring your own calculator if permitted
A basic non-programmable calculator helps with frequency, wavelength, and battery or propagation-style arithmetic. Confirm with the provider whether calculators are allowed and whether phones must be switched off and stored.
Pencils, eraser, and pen
Some centres supply everything; others ask you to bring your own. Bring two pencils, an eraser, and a black or blue pen, and confirm with the provider what is provided versus what you must bring.
Leave phones and smart devices outside the test room
Plan to switch off and store your phone, smartwatch, and any earbuds as instructed. Do not rely on using a phone as a calculator or clock; confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
Review the syllabus topics, not just question drills
Cover distress, urgency, and safety communications; DSC and radiotelephony procedures; NAVTEX and MSI; EPIRB, SART, and two-way VHF; sea areas A1 to A4; frequencies and propagation basics; licensing and radio regulations; and battery and equipment checks. Confirm with the provider which reference list or syllabus version applies to your sitting.
Practise spoken and written procedures
Even a written test rewards knowing the exact structure of MAYDAY, PAN PAN, and SECURITE calls, the phonetic alphabet, and standard phrases. Write each call out from memory until the order of items is automatic.
Plan the journey and arrival buffer
Check the route, parking or public transport, and aim to arrive with time to spare. Confirm with the provider the latest arrival time and what happens if you are late; late arrival rules vary by centre.
Check accessibility or special arrangements in advance
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other accommodation, request it well before test day. Confirm with the provider the deadline and evidence they require; do not assume it can be arranged on the day.
Sleep, food, and hydration plan
A short written test still rewards a rested mind. Plan a normal night's sleep, a light meal, and water before arrival. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk.
Know what happens after the test
Ask in advance how and when results are issued and how a licence application is submitted if you pass. Confirm with the provider the result timeline and any retake or appeal process; do not assume a certificate is issued on the spot.
Plan the day
Do a final syllabus sweep. List every topic and mark each as confident, shaky, or unknown. Spend the remaining time only on shaky and unknown items, starting with distress and safety procedures, DSC alerting, and the sea-area definitions, because these carry the most operational weight. Re-read the exact wording of MAYDAY, PAN PAN, and SECURITE calls and the phonetic alphabet. Stop learning new material after this point; consolidation beats cramming.
Reconfirm logistics. Check the test centre address, arrival time, ID requirements, and what is allowed in the room. Confirm with the provider any point your confirmation email does not settle, such as calculator use, permitted reference material, or late-arrival policy. Print the confirmation and put it with your ID so both are ready.
Take one full timed practice test under exam conditions: no notes, no phone, one sitting. Mark it honestly and review every wrong answer plus every guess, even correct ones. Note the topic pattern behind your errors rather than memorising individual questions.
Do a light review only. Skim your own summary sheet of frequencies, call structures, equipment functions, and regulations. Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, pencils, eraser, pen, and calculator if permitted. Charge nothing you cannot bring in; leave smart devices at home or plan to store them.
Confirm the journey and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy late-night study, and get a full night's sleep. If you feel underprepared, review the distress and safety procedures once more, then stop.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate. Do a five-minute recall drill: phonetic alphabet, MAYDAY structure, and the difference between distress, urgency, and safety. Leave early enough to arrive ahead of the stated time, and carry only what the provider permits into the room.
Present your ID and confirmation, follow staff instructions on storing devices, and listen carefully to the briefing on time limits and how to record answers. Ask the invigilator, not another candidate, if anything about the format is unclear. Settle in, breathe, and read the instructions on the paper before starting.
Work in passes. First answer every question you know, skipping long or uncertain ones. Second, return to the skipped items and eliminate wrong options before choosing. Third, check that every question has an answer and that your answer marks match the required format. Watch the clock at the halfway point and near the end, but do not rush the final minutes; a misread question is a common avoidable error.
Note any questions you found unclear while they are fresh, and ask staff how and when results will be issued and how to apply for the licence if you pass. Confirm with the provider the retake process in case you need it, then step away from the material for the rest of the day.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo ID in the name on your booking. If your name has changed or your ID is damaged, contact the provider before test day; do not assume an alternative document will be accepted at the door.
Arrive by the stated time. Late-arrival and admission rules are set by the test centre, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed rather than assuming you will be admitted.
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds must be switched off and stored as instructed. Do not use any device as a calculator or clock unless the provider explicitly permits it.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, materials, and talking. Raise your hand for a question or to leave the room; do not confer with other candidates at any point during the test.
If you need a break, ask the invigilator. Whether the clock stops and whether you may leave and re-enter are centre-specific; confirm with the provider in advance if you expect to need one.
Scoring is based on the number of correct answers against the pass mark set for the element. Confirm with the provider the current question count, time limit, and pass mark, and do not rely on figures from older study guides.
Do not bring notes, written aids, or unauthorised reference material into the test room. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, ask before the test starts.
If you believe there is an error in a question or a problem with the test conditions, report it to the invigilator at the time and follow the provider's appeal or review process afterwards; confirm with the provider how to raise it.