john m
Well-Known Member
I've just books up to do the day skipper course how hard is it I'm a bit worried in case I can't do it
john
john
How hard is the day skipper theory exam
- Thread starter john m
- Start date
grumpy_o_g
Well-Known Member
If you're capable of an "O" Level GCSE or whatever it is these days you should have no trouble with the Day Skipper Theory. There's a tiny bit of maths involved but that's just sums and graphs and you'll be talked through it completely by an instructor. The rest is a little bit of parrot fashion learning, lights, buoyage, etc - I found the flip cards invaluable for both learning and staying current.
Key thing is, because it's something you want to do - it all becomes very easy and unpressured. The "exam" is very simple indeed.
Key thing is, because it's something you want to do - it all becomes very easy and unpressured. The "exam" is very simple indeed.
nathanlee
Well-Known Member
Bit of a how long's a piece of string question there.
Depends if you're a bit thick, or not
If you do one of the theory classroom courses, then your instructor will guide you through it. A decent school should give you a bit of extra help if you need it. Don't worry if you get stuck, some of it is a bit of a head full at first, but by the time you've done the course, you'll be ready for the exam.
I'd also suggest that these 5 day "intense" courses are a really bad idea. Even if you manage to cram enough to pass on the Friday, you'll never remember it by the time you need to use it. Do if over a few weeks/weekends, and then take it away and practice.
Once you've learned what you're doing on the pretend map, you could spend hours passage planning pretend trips on a real chart using real tides and real weather.
With the exception of the chart work (which is easy once you've got to grips with it) the rest is just like doing a driving theory test. If you can remember your highway code, you can remember the colregs and various markers.
... for a while anyway. I'm sure I've forgotten the lot of it
fastjedi
Well-Known Member
When I did DS theory (many years ago) there were 2 in a class of 16 who didn't have the baseline maths skills necessary and dropped out (you're not a social worker are you? 
.... Everyone else passed. "SIMPLE" as the Meerkats say
.... Everyone else passed. "SIMPLE" as the Meerkats sayalant
Well-Known Member
Enjoy it!
If word or number blind, you might struggle, but you should be helped by the instructor to ensure you understand what its all about. Tell him/her if you are having any problems or need help.
It's not an exam, in the sense of an 'o' level'
It consists of a Chartwork paper - 4 questions & a general paper which covers everything from safety/weather/lights/dayshapes/rules of the road/etc.
You should after a period of instruction, enjoy using these assessment papers to check that 'you', have understood the information you have absorbed on the course.
Your instructor should be aware of any problem areas from your course work & will help.
Don't forget, all the others on any course will be in exactly the same position.
If word or number blind, you might struggle, but you should be helped by the instructor to ensure you understand what its all about. Tell him/her if you are having any problems or need help.
It's not an exam, in the sense of an 'o' level'
It consists of a Chartwork paper - 4 questions & a general paper which covers everything from safety/weather/lights/dayshapes/rules of the road/etc.
You should after a period of instruction, enjoy using these assessment papers to check that 'you', have understood the information you have absorbed on the course.
Your instructor should be aware of any problem areas from your course work & will help.
Don't forget, all the others on any course will be in exactly the same position.
Whiskey Bravo
Well-Known Member
Agree with the point about NOT doing it over 5 days on a short course. When I did it long ago it was a night school over 20 weeks, 2 hours per week plus homework and was excellent. I was even asked to demonstrate knots to one group as I knew as much as the instructor, having spent many years climbing.
The final exam after the course was relatively simple, one of the main things to come out of the course was that you don't need to remember everything, but you do need to know where to look for the information you need, tide tables/lights etc, just as you would when afloat. Very rarely do you find that you don't have time to look something up. If you do, it's probably because your pre-voyage planning hasn't been through enough
The final exam after the course was relatively simple, one of the main things to come out of the course was that you don't need to remember everything, but you do need to know where to look for the information you need, tide tables/lights etc, just as you would when afloat. Very rarely do you find that you don't have time to look something up. If you do, it's probably because your pre-voyage planning hasn't been through enough
Jamesuk
Well-Known Member
Well just study the book read it all the time. When it comes to the exam you will get 60% at least.
The best way to learn from what I have seen is to do it with someone. Test each other.
I worked all Summer long doing Day skipper and comp crew. The best students were the ones that studied like it was going out of fashion but it is much faster learning on board.
Enjoy.
The best way to learn from what I have seen is to do it with someone. Test each other.
I worked all Summer long doing Day skipper and comp crew. The best students were the ones that studied like it was going out of fashion but it is much faster learning on board.
Enjoy.
Fantasie 19
Well-Known Member
I'm 90% of the way through the DS Theory as we speak - next week is the last week and we're having the general paper. I'd say the above sums it up nicely.... I've enjoyed it loads - learnt lots - looking forward to see what difference it makes to may actual sailing.... no intention of doing the practical....
RichardS
N/A
When I did the Yachtmaster theory a couple of years ago there was a girl who seemed OK with the pilotage and chart plotting during the course sessions but under the pressure of the final exam her mind went blank and she could not start even the first question. She had passed the Col Regs and Meteorology exams earlier in the course.
I think that she was still awarded the Yachtmaster pass certificate as the instructor was satisfied that she did understand the subject so I don't think you should worry.
Richard
I think that she was still awarded the Yachtmaster pass certificate as the instructor was satisfied that she did understand the subject so I don't think you should worry.
Richard
Angele
Well-Known Member
You need to understand the chartwork to "pass" - what it is you are being asked to do (e.g. the difference between an estimated position and a course to steer). To some this comes naturally. They get it straight away. Others need more time for it to sink in and they need more time to practice.
Make sure you allow time outside the actual lessons to study/practice in case you fall into the latter category. (Actually, you should practice even if you do "get it", because the more you do, the more proficient you will become).
Most of the rest it is just a matter of learning, but the standard expected is not so high that large numbers fail. If you are of reasonable IQ, you attend the lessons and take notes, you do the practice questions, you reread your notes before the exam, you should pass.
Make sure you allow time outside the actual lessons to study/practice in case you fall into the latter category. (Actually, you should practice even if you do "get it", because the more you do, the more proficient you will become).
Most of the rest it is just a matter of learning, but the standard expected is not so high that large numbers fail. If you are of reasonable IQ, you attend the lessons and take notes, you do the practice questions, you reread your notes before the exam, you should pass.
Last edited:
Doghousekeeper
Well-Known Member
Sorry Nathan, but that's nonsense.
I've trained scores of people on that basis (although my "intense" courses are 6 days, not 5), and a significant number of them have been back either for Coastal Skipper theory or Day Skipper practical. Most have remembered plenty of the original theory course
raven
Well-Known Member
When I did my DS theory exam a few years ago I thoroughly enjoyed it and found the course content reasonably straight forward - the exam itself was not too much of a problem and I'm no academic.
I think it helped that the instructor was good at his job and was very interesting with loads of entertaining anecdotes to illustrate some of the theory.
I have spoken to folk who have not been so lucky, who have struggled with an instructor that was dull as dishwater and almost given up before the end.
Hope you get a good-un like I did and then you're half way there!
I think it helped that the instructor was good at his job and was very interesting with loads of entertaining anecdotes to illustrate some of the theory.
I have spoken to folk who have not been so lucky, who have struggled with an instructor that was dull as dishwater and almost given up before the end.
Hope you get a good-un like I did and then you're half way there!
xyachtdave
Well-Known Member
I recall a 'candidate' asking what a degree was, no experience whatsoever, no background reading before the course, plotted a course to steer over the land part of the chart during the exam....... he passed!
You will find it a breeze if you have bothered to buy a book and read it.
Good luck!
You will find it a breeze if you have bothered to buy a book and read it.
Good luck!
alant
Well-Known Member
OK as long as the instructors anecdotes actually do teach you & not simply just talking about his 'prowess'.
john m
Well-Known Member
thanks for the advice
john
john
Searush
Well-Known Member
The classroom bit is just the start of it.
Just remember, it's a lot easier in a classroom than on a small boat rolling & bouncing about in wind over tide conditions. You will not be able to achieve the level of accuracy on a boat that is expected on a course.
But no sweat, it generally isn't needed, be aware of the possibilities for error & how big they may be relative to what you are doing. In reality, you can make assumptions & estimates, bearings are only to +/- 5deg & steering can be worse. Keep your EP circle of uncertainty sensibly big & use your eyes from the cockpit as much as the chart!
So don't just learn by rote, try to understand the principles so you can apply them sensibly on a cruise. It is very satisfying to take everything into account & arrive where you want, & approximately when you expected to!
Skylark
Well-Known Member
Your result, even your enjoyment, of the course will likely be directly proportional to the effort you put in. The more you put in, the more you'll get out of it.
The small RYA DS Shorebased booklet covers pretty much the "must know" information, or, put another way, the bare minimum.
There's a whole library of information readily available to fill in any gaps.
This forum also provides a wealth of information and will immediately answer almost any of your queries.
The instructor has a responsibility to keep the class engaged and motivated, this is most easily achieved if the students ask lots of pertinent questions.
On a typical evening class, 24 week course, there's plenty of time for a mock exam, usually last years series of papers, immediately prior to the real thing.
I haven't taught DS for a while but my last course had 18 candidates enrol with 17 gaining the course completion certificate. DS can sometimes be quite difficult to deliver to a large class; it's likely that there will be a huge range of interest, motivation and (sorry) intelligence and they all need to be taken along at the same pace.
Hope you enjoy it.
The small RYA DS Shorebased booklet covers pretty much the "must know" information, or, put another way, the bare minimum.
There's a whole library of information readily available to fill in any gaps.
This forum also provides a wealth of information and will immediately answer almost any of your queries.
The instructor has a responsibility to keep the class engaged and motivated, this is most easily achieved if the students ask lots of pertinent questions.
On a typical evening class, 24 week course, there's plenty of time for a mock exam, usually last years series of papers, immediately prior to the real thing.
I haven't taught DS for a while but my last course had 18 candidates enrol with 17 gaining the course completion certificate. DS can sometimes be quite difficult to deliver to a large class; it's likely that there will be a huge range of interest, motivation and (sorry) intelligence and they all need to be taken along at the same pace.
Hope you enjoy it.
mcframe
Well-Known Member
DS theory is what is known as a "Gateway Course", because after folks get addicted, it can lead to DS practical, charters, CS theory & practical, and ultimately boat ownership....
Out of all the courses I've done, DS theory is probably the one I enjoyed most 'cos that was the tipping point ;-)
Out of all the courses I've done, DS theory is probably the one I enjoyed most 'cos that was the tipping point ;-)
Bosun Higgs
N/A
In the hundreds I've taken through the course I've only ever failed three people. Two were for very poor attendance, and the third could not divide by twelve so you can judge her mental level. And even then we tried her with a remedial teacher who also was an instructor and he eventually gave up on her.
So provided you do the work, and thats important, the level is pretty noddy.
jimmynoboat
Well-Known Member
I did mine on week-long residential course. Ten or so of us took the exam, one failed. So, you've got to pay attention. The one that failed just didn't get it from the start though.
