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General Navigation - USCG Exam Questions

Chart reading, the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, compass error, tides and currents, and the standard navigation publications.

Every question below is a real U.S. Coast Guard exam question with four choices. Answer one and the correct choice is revealed instantly, with the USCG reference and illustration where the question uses one.

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All General Navigation questions

Questions 2,301–2,400 of 2,639 · page 24 of 27

  1. #2506 When cold air displaces warm air, you have which type of front?
  2. #2507 Which term is given to that half of the hurricane to the right-hand side of its track (as you face the same direction that the storm is moving) in the...
  3. #2508 A weather forecast states that the wind will commence backing. What does this indicate if you are in the Northern Hemisphere?
  4. #2509 Under the IALA cardinal system, a mark with quick white light showing 3 flashes every 10 seconds indicates that the safest water in the area is in whi...
  5. #2510 Which is a characteristic of a port side daymark?
  6. #2511 How are clouds formed?
  7. #2512 Isobars on a weather map are useful in predicting which element of the weather?
  8. #2513 Which term is given to a light that has a light period shorter than its dark period?
  9. #2514 Which term describes a light, feathery deposit of ice by sublimation of water vapor directly into the crystalline form on objects whose temperatures a...
  10. #2515 In the Northern Hemisphere how do the major ocean currents tend to flow?
  11. #2516 Which of the symbols shown in the illustration represents a warm front? illustration
  12. #2517 Two well-developed high-pressure areas may be separated by which item?
  13. #2518 The southeast trade winds actually blow in which direction?
  14. #2519 How are the doldrums characterized?
  15. #2520 Which corrector will compensate for the deviation which is maximum on intercardinal compass headings?
  16. #2521 In the Northern Hemisphere, your vessel is believed to be in the direct path of a hurricane, and plenty of sea room is available. Which is the best co...
  17. #2522 What does a single line of position combined with a dead-reckoning position results in?
  18. #2523 A sailing chart could have which scale?
  19. #2524 What does a barometer showing falling pressure indicate?
  20. #2525 How often is The Local Notice to Mariners updated?
  21. #2526 What does a barometer measure?
  22. #2527 When a dual-purpose marking is used, how should the mariner following the Intracoastal Waterway be guided?
  23. #2528 You have replaced the chart paper in the course recorder. Which statement is TRUE?
  24. #2529 What is a system of reservoirs and connecting tubes in a gyro compass called?
  25. #2530 A general chart intended for coastwise navigation outside of outlying reefs can have which scale?
  26. #2531 If the current and wind are in the same direction, what does the sea surface represent concerning the true wind speed?
  27. #2532 In waters where the cardinal system is used where would you expect to find danger?
  28. #2533 When utilizing a Pacific Coast chart, which is the reference plane of soundings?
  29. #2534 Which is TRUE concerning privately maintained aids to navigation included in the Light List?
  30. #2535 Which item contains information about temporary, short-term changes affecting the safety of navigation in U.S. waters?
  31. #2536 You are steering 318°psc. A northeasterly wind causes 3° of leeway. The variation is 14°E and the deviation table is extracted below. What will be the...
  32. #2537 Which correction must be applied to an aneroid barometer reading?
  33. #2538 The light characteristic of flashing is used in the Aids to Navigation System on the Western Rivers. Which example is required to utilize this charact...
  34. #2539 Which is TRUE concerning Light Lists for coastal waters?
  35. #2540 On 9 November 2023 at 0330, you are inbound at Charleston Harbor Entrance Buoy “10” (ACT6611). What is the direction and velocity of the current you a... illustration
  36. #2541 Which type of current will have the greatest effect on the course made good for your vessel?
  37. #2542 A mid-channel buoy, may show which light?
  38. #2543 On 14 October 2023, you will be docking at the Southern Branch Elizabeth River, VA at the second low tide. The berth is located between NOAA reference... illustration
  39. #2544 Which level of accuracy can be obtained utilizing the U.S. Coast Guard's Maritime Differential GPS in an established coverage area?
  40. #2545 Barometers are calibrated at which standard temperature?
  41. #2546 In IALA Region B, entering from sea, how would a daymark on the port side of the channel be indicated on a chart?
  42. #2547 Which is TRUE of echo-sounders?
  43. #2548 In the IALA Buoyage System, what do buoys with alternating red and green horizontal bands indicate?
  44. #2549 Which term is given to a line on a weather chart connecting places which have the same barometric pressure?
  45. #2550 What does a steep barometric gradient indicate?
  46. #2551 Which is TRUE concerning Hot air?
  47. #2552 Which form of cloud, that is often known as "mackerel sky", is generally associated with fair weather?
  48. #2553 Fog is formed when which condition exists?
  49. #2554 Which is TRUE as the temperature for a given mass of air increases?
  50. #2555 Which defines the range of tide?
  51. #2556 On 15 October 2023, you will be docking on the Southern Branch Elizabeth River, VA at the second high tide. The berth is located between NOAA referenc... illustration
  52. #2557 What does a white buoy with an orange rectangle on it indicate?
  53. #2558 When outbound from a U.S. port, what does a buoy displaying a flashing red light indicate?
  54. #2559 Under the IALA-B Buoyage System, which is TRUE of a conical buoy?
  55. #2560 Which term is used to express the maximum distance at which a light may be seen under existing visibility conditions?
  56. #2561 What must change for the compass deviation to change?
  57. #2562 Which term is given to the dense black cumulonimbus clouds surrounding the eye of a hurricane?
  58. #2563 On a clear, warm day, you notice the approach of a tall cumulus cloud. The cloud top has hard well-defined edges and rain is falling from the dark low...
  59. #2564 What do clear skies, with the exception of a few cumulus clouds indicate?
  60. #2565 On 14 October 2023, you will be docking on the Southern Branch Elizabeth River, VA at the first high tide. The berth is located between NOAA reference... illustration
  61. #2566 With respect to a reversing current, when does slack water occur?
  62. #2567 Which is TRUE as the temperature of the air reaches the dew point?
  63. #2568 Which is TRUE of a dead reckoning (DR) plot?
  64. #2569 When entering a channel from seaward, which is TRUE concerning the numbers on buoys?
  65. #2570 Which of the following describes the principal purpose of magnetic compass adjustment?
  66. #2571 What does a buoy with a composite group-flashing light indicate?
  67. #2572 Weather warnings such as gale, storm and hurricane warnings are based on which criteria?
  68. #2573 Which describes a line of position derived by radar range from an identified point on a coast?
  69. #2574 Under the IALA Buoyage System, which topmark shown in the illustration will be displayed on a safe watermark? illustration
  70. #2575 Which cardinal quadrant is represented by the topmark in the illustration? illustration
  71. #2576 Which item in the illustration shows an occulting light? illustration
  72. #2577 How can you follow the approach of a dangerous cyclonic storm?
  73. #2578 What does the expression "the air is saturated" mean?
  74. #2579 White lights may be found on which buoys?
  75. #2580 What is a common unit of measure for atmospheric pressure?
  76. #2581 You will find daily information about the duration of slack water in a port on the Atlantic Coast in which publication?
  77. #2582 You sight a buoy fitted with a double-sphere topmark. If sighted at night, what color and light sequence would you expect to see?
  78. #2583 Entering from seaward, what do triangular-shaped daymarks mark?
  79. #2584 The principal vertical circle is that great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through which of the following?
  80. #2585 What does a hygrometer measure?
  81. #2586 Which is TRUE of a dead reckoning (DR) plot?
  82. #2587 Which publication contains information on Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) in time of emergency or war?
  83. #2588 Which defines the height of tide?
  84. #2589 What does the period of a lighted aid to navigation refer to?
  85. #2590 What will a buoy marking a wreck show?
  86. #2591 In the illustration what is indicated by the position labeled "C"? illustration
  87. #2592 Which contour on an Ocean Prediction Center 500 millibar map is used to identify the likely path of surface storms?
  88. #2593 On the pole side of the high-pressure belt in each hemisphere, the pressure diminishes. The winds along these gradients are diverted by the Earth's ro...
  89. #2594 Which type of precipitation occurs only in thunderstorms with strong convection currents that convey raindrops above and below the freezing level?
  90. #2595 What is the relative bearing of an object broad on the starboard quarter?
  91. #2596 You are taking bearings on two known objects ashore. The BEST fix is obtained when the angle between the lines of position is __________.
  92. #2597 You are steaming southward along the west coast of the United States when you encounter a buoy showing a flashing red light. Which is TRUE concerning...
  93. #2598 The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has excluded all traffic from a section of a port, while a regatta is taking place. Which describes the buoys mark...
  94. #2599 Which fog is produced by warm moist air passing over a cold surface?
  95. #2600 Tropical cyclones normally form within which of the following belts of latitude?
  96. #2601 You are steaming west in the North Atlantic in an extratropical cyclonic storm, and the wind is dead ahead. According to the law of Buys Ballot, where...
  97. #2602 Vessels required to have an Automatic Radar Plotting Aid must have a device to indicate which of the following?
  98. #2603 What causes permanent magnetism on a vessel?
  99. #2604 Your vessel is making way through the water at a speed of 12 knots. Your vessel traveled 30 nautical miles in 2 hours 20 minutes. What current are you...
  100. #2605 Which is TRUE of an aneroid barometer?

General Navigation questions: what to expect

Q How many General Navigation questions are in the Deck pool?

There are 2,639 General Navigation questions on this site, every one released by the U.S. Coast Guard or taken from the National Maritime Center's sample examinations, with its correct answer. The exam draws its General Navigation module from the same pool.

Q What score do I need to pass the General Navigation module?

Most USCG exam modules, including General Navigation, require 70 percent to pass. Rules of the Road modules require 90 percent.

Q Are these the real USCG General Navigation exam questions?

Yes. They are the published U.S. Coast Guard questions, matched to the National Maritime Center's 2026 sample examinations. Answer any question to see the correct choice, the USCG reference and the illustration where the question uses one.

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About the Deck question pool

The Deck pool holds the current U.S. Coast Guard questions for every deck credential, from Able Seaman and the OUPV six-pack up to unlimited Master. Each question is multiple choice with four options, graded instantly, with the USCG reference shown where one exists.