NIMASA STCW PSSR exam-day guide
NIMASA STCW PSSR · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Original passport and a second photo ID
Bring your valid passport plus one additional government-issued photo ID (for example a national ID card or driver's licence) in case the centre asks for secondary identification. The name on every document must match the name on your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID combinations it accepts before travelling.
Examination admission letter or booking confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your candidate number, test date, time, and venue. Some centres refuse entry without it, so keep a paper copy as well as an electronic one. If you have not received it, contact the provider immediately rather than on the morning of the test.
Passport-style photographs
Carry two recent passport photographs in case the centre needs them for the candidate record or certificate application. Confirm with the provider the required size and background colour, since requirements differ between centres.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
PSSR assessment is largely practical and oral, so a calculator is usually unnecessary; however, if your programme includes a written stability or damage-control component, confirm with the provider whether a basic non-programmable calculator is allowed. Do not bring programmable or communication-capable devices.
Notebook and pen for briefing notes
You may be permitted to take notes during the pre-assessment briefing. Bring a plain notebook and pen; leave loose papers and printed study notes outside the assessment room unless the invigilator says otherwise.
Correct PPE and working clothing
Many PSSR practical assessments involve a pool, fire-ground, or mock-up environment. Bring swimwear, a towel, and non-slip footwear if water survival is assessed, and coveralls or working clothes if firefighting or damage control is assessed. Confirm with the provider exactly which modules your sitting covers and what PPE it supplies.
Medical fitness certificate or declaration
Practical assessments are physically demanding. Bring any medical certificate or self-declaration the provider requires, and disclose conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, pregnancy, or recent injury to the assessor before practical stations begin. Confirm with the provider which medical documents are mandatory.
Arrive early and locate the venue in advance
Reconnoitre the training centre or test venue beforehand and plan to arrive well before your reporting time, allowing for traffic, security checks, and registration. Late arrival may mean refused entry; confirm with the provider its cut-off time for admission.
Review the four PSSR practical areas
Revise personal survival techniques, fire prevention and firefighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibility. Be ready to demonstrate donning a lifejacket, survival position in water, use of a fire extinguisher, basic bandaging, and correct use of personal protective equipment.
Prepare for oral questioning
Assessors commonly ask candidates to explain why an action is taken, not only to perform it. Practise explaining muster signals, abandon-ship procedures, fire triangle and extinguishing methods, and the chain of command on board in clear, simple language.
Plan the day
Re-read your course notes on the four PSSR competence areas and rehearse practical drills mentally and, where possible, physically. Check that your passport, admission letter, photographs, and PPE are all in order, and replace anything missing. Confirm the venue address, reporting time, and what the provider supplies versus what you must bring. Rest well and avoid last-minute cramming of unfamiliar material.
Pack a bag with your documents, photographs, PPE, towel, footwear, water, and a light snack. Lay out your clothing. Reconfirm your travel plan and set two alarms. Avoid alcohol and heavy meals, and aim for a full night's sleep, since practical stations require alertness and physical effort. Do not attempt to learn new procedures the night before.
Eat a proper breakfast and stay hydrated, but avoid heavy food before water or fire drills. Arrive at the venue early, complete registration and ID checks, and attend the safety briefing attentively. Listen for instructions on emergency procedures at the centre itself, and tell the assessor privately about any injury, illness, or condition that could affect your performance.
Follow the assessor's instructions precisely and in order. Perform each practical task as demonstrated, narrating what you are doing where invited. If you do not understand an instruction, ask for clarification rather than guessing. Work safely at all times: correct PPE, controlled movements, and awareness of others in the water or fire-ground area count towards your assessment. Answer oral questions concisely, stating the action and the reason for it.
Rules to check
Carry your original passport and secondary photo ID at all times; entry will be refused if identification cannot be verified. Confirm with the provider which documents it accepts.
Follow all instructions from assessors and invigilators immediately, especially during fire, water, and first-aid stations. Unsafe behaviour can result in removal from the assessment on safety grounds.
Do not bring unauthorised electronic devices, smart watches, or study notes into the assessment area. Confirm with the provider where phones must be stored.
Declare any medical condition, injury, or pregnancy to the assessor before practical stations begin. Concealing a condition that affects your safety or that of others is a serious breach.
Breaks are usually scheduled between stations; do not leave the assessment area without informing an invigilator. Confirm with the provider its policy on unscheduled breaks and access to water and toilets.
Scoring is competence-based: each practical task and oral question is marked as competent or not yet competent against the STCW PSSR standard. You must demonstrate every element safely and correctly; confirm with the provider its reassessment and appeal procedures.
Treat fellow candidates, assessors, and centre staff with respect. Harassment, aggression, or interference with another candidate's assessment may lead to disqualification.
Do not discuss or disclose assessment content afterwards in a way that could compromise the integrity of the examination. Confirm with the provider any confidentiality agreement you are asked to sign.