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Knowledge test for engine officers

Engine officers are tested on main and auxiliary machinery, fuel, lubrication, cooling and ballast systems, pumps, electrical basics, maintenance and repair, MARPOL and the emergencies of the engine room, plus leadership and the conventions for senior ranks.

Sit the practice test for engine officers

If you are a Chief Engineer, Second, Third or Fourth Engineer, or an engine cadet, this is your paper: 30 multiple-choice questions drawn from 408 original questions relevant to your rank, 30 minutes, no feedback until the end, then a score by knowledge area with links to revise. All questions are ours; nothing comes from any real test.

Start the engine officers test

Independent practice. Not affiliated with any test provider; names of commercial tests appear only to explain what they are. Read our guide to the CES test for what to expect rank by rank.

What the test covers for engine officers

Weighted by the competence tables of STCW A-III/1 and A-III/2. "Core" areas give most of the questions; "basics" appear once or twice.

Knowledge areaWeightShareRevise
Emergencies, fire and life-saving core 9% Life-saving appliances and fire protection
Fuel, lubrication, ballast and pumps core 9%
Leadership, teamwork and fatigue core 9%
Main and auxiliary machinery core 9%
Maintenance, tools and repair core 9%
Occupational safety and permits core 9% Ship safety signs
Pollution prevention (MARPOL) core 9%
Communications, SMCP and GMDSS important 6% VHF and Channel 16
Conventions and regulations important 6% STCW English requirements guide
Electrical, electronic and control systems important 6%
Ship security (ISPS) important 6%
Vessel types and their cargoes important 6% English and safety by ship type
MLC: rest hours, contracts and welfare basics 3%
Stability and seaworthiness basics 3%

The questions are about principles and safe practice, not about one maker's engine: why a purifier separates, what a low lube oil pressure alarm means, when the oily water separator may discharge.

Sample questions for engine officers

Five questions of the kind you will meet, from the core areas. Think first, then open the answer.

  1. Emergencies, fire and life-saving The general emergency alarm signal is:

    1. Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast
    2. One long blast
    3. Continuous ringing of the fire bell
    4. Three short blasts
    Show the answer

    Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast. SOLAS III/6 and the LSA Code: the general alarm calls the crew to muster stations; the muster list says what it means for each person. Read more

  2. Fuel, lubrication, ballast and pumps The sea chest is:

    1. A locker for charts
    2. The fuel tank in the double bottom
    3. The box where the anchor is stowed
    4. The opening in the hull with a strainer through which sea water is taken for cooling and ballast
    Show the answer

    The opening in the hull with a strainer through which sea water is taken for cooling and ballast. High and low sea chests are used depending on draught and conditions; strainers must be cleaned regularly.

  3. Pollution prevention (MARPOL) Food waste may be discharged at sea (outside special areas):

    1. Never
    2. Only in port
    3. Not less than 12 nautical miles from land, or 3 miles if ground to pass a 25 mm screen
    4. Anywhere
    Show the answer

    Not less than 12 nautical miles from land, or 3 miles if ground to pass a 25 mm screen. MARPOL Annex V; in special areas only comminuted food waste beyond 12 miles.

  4. Emergencies, fire and life-saving To which class does a magnesium or sodium fire belong?

    1. Class C
    2. Class D (metals and light metal alloys)
    3. Class A
    4. Class B
    Show the answer

    Class D (metals and light metal alloys). See the card: Fire classes. Read more

  5. Emergencies, fire and life-saving How can you tell that a piece of fire equipment has passed its survey?

    1. By the sticker, inscription or stamped mark with the station name, the date and the expiry
    2. By an entry in the engine logbook
    3. By the maker’s seal on the valve
    4. By the class society’s sticker on the fire store door
    Show the answer

    By the sticker, inscription or stamped mark with the station name, the date and the expiry. See the card: Fire equipment surveys. Read more

Take the full 30-question test

How to prepare

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