Greece Category A Theory

It is a multiple-choice theory paper delivered in Greek, covering navigation and chartwork, COLREG, meteorology, seamanship, maritime law, safety and emergencies, and engines and electrical systems. Practical competence is assessed separately. Expect a mix of direct recall and scenario questions where you must choose the safest or most legally correct action.

The official examining body sets and periodically revises the paper structure, so the current question count and time allowance should be confirmed with the authority or your examination centre before you book. Do not rely on figures quoted in forums or older study guides, which are frequently out of date.

Pass marks and examination fees are set administratively and change over time. Check the official authority's website or your local port authority office for the current figures. Any number you see in a third-party summary should be treated as unverified until you confirm it at the source.

Candidates with genuine sea time usually find the seamanship and safety sections intuitive, while chartwork and the finer points of COLREG cause the most trouble. The paper rewards precision rather than broad general knowledge, so people who have only read a textbook without practising plotting and rule application often underestimate it.

Retake arrangements, waiting periods and any additional fees are administrative matters set by the examining authority. Confirm the current policy directly with them when you register, and ask specifically whether a failed section can be re-sat separately or whether the whole paper must be repeated.

Start with chartwork and COLREG, since both appear throughout the paper and support the scenario questions elsewhere. Add meteorology next, then safety and emergencies, and leave law and engine systems for last because they are mostly factual recall that fades if studied too early. Finish with timed practice papers.

Three recurrences: misreading the tidal or current set when plotting a course, applying the wrong COLREG rule to a crossing or overtaking situation, and answering legal questions from habit rather than the actual rule. A fourth is poor time management, spending too long on one plotting question and rushing the rest.

The theory examination is only one component of the licence, and the category normally requires documented service at sea. The exact sea-time requirement and how it is proven are set by the authority, so verify the current rule before you plan your training, as it affects the order in which you do things.

The paper is delivered in Greek. Candidates who are not fluent should build the technical vocabulary early, particularly COLREG terminology, chart symbols and legal terms, because a correct instinct expressed with the wrong term still scores as a wrong answer on a multiple-choice paper.

No. This is independent study material written for candidates preparing for the examination. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Greek examining authority. Always treat official publications as authoritative for rules, procedures, fees and scheduling.