Top tips for your UK MCA orals

I often get messages in my inbox, asking what the best approach is to pass the UK MCA orals assessment. So I thought I would put my ideas down and hopefully others reading this post may have more to add.

These are my tips, having gone through the assessment process myself, but also helped others along the way.

⁃ Know your syllabus and what questions you can be asked. The syllabus can be found in MIN 653 which can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65cb492673806a000cec773e/MIN_653_Deck_Oral_Exam_Syllabus_-_Amendment_1_2024.pdf

⁃ Know the format of your assessment. It’s split into two parts. Part A which is an online assessment consisting of 15 questions. You will get assessment questions on Navigation Procedures, the International Collision Regulations and Buoyage.

⁃ Ensure you are well prepared – It is never too early to prepare. As soon as you’ve got your notice of eligibility, you can start part A of your assessment.

⁃ Have a look at the different types of questions you can be asked. Familiarise yourself with their look and format.

⁃ You may want to have a study group. Part B of the assessment is a one-to-one assessment with a MCA assessor. You may want to team up with class mates and have a go at being the assessor and the candidate! Doing a role play of being the assessor and assessing your class mates can give you a good insight into what makes a good answer, what the assessor is looking for in an answer and where common pitfalls are. This also works really well for when you are qualified and looking for your first job!

⁃ When you are in the real assessment – try and relax. Have a loo break before the assessment, take a glass of water in with you.

⁃ When you are being asked questions – don’t feel you need to jump in and answer immediately! My advice would be take a sip of water to allow your brain time to formulate an answer, think on what has been asked – then answer.

⁃ Be confident! The assessor wants you to show what you know – if you don’t understand the question, don’t try and guess, ask the assessor to re-phrase. If you don’t know the answer say this.

⁃ Try not to dwell on if you’ve got an answer wrong. Treat each question like a fresh assessment.

⁃ The assessor may ask you follow up questions, this doesn’t mean you’ve got a question wrong, it’s just that they may want to explore your knowledge further. Again remember sip – breathe – answer.

For further information on the UK MCA assessment process and to take a free assessment, please go to https://safeseastraining.co.uk/officer-of-the-watch-practice-exam-generator/

If anyone has any further hints and tips, or if anyone has any questions, then please feel free to post below.