PADI RDP Table & eRDPML Dive Planning Exam — 2026/2027 Certification Assessment
PADI RDP Table & eRDPML Dive Planning Exam
— 2026/2027 Certification Assessment —
50-Question Comprehensive Test Bank with Verified Answers & Rationales
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
• This examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions organized into 6 sections, covering RDP
Table navigation, no-decompression limits, repetitive dive planning, eRDPml operation, special rules
and safety protocols, and scenario-based decision-making.
• Each question carries equal weight. Select the single best answer from options A through D.
• A time allowance of approximately 90 minutes is recommended for completion.
• An approved RDP Table or eRDPml may be used as a reference during the examination.
• Mark your answers clearly. Partial credit is not awarded.
• All answers are verified against the PADI RDP Table (metric version) and current PADI training
standards.
SCORE SUMMARY
Section Questions Points Score
I — RDP Table Navigation & Pressure Groups 1–10 10
II — No-Decompression Limits & NDL Management 11–20 10
III — Repetitive Dive Planning 21–30 10
IV — eRDPml Operating Modes 31–38 8
V — Special Rules & Safety Protocols 39–45 7
VI — Scenario-Based Decision-Making 46–50 5
TOTAL 1–50 50
Passing Score: (76%) | Final Grade: ___________ %
Section I: RDP Table Navigation & Pressure Group Calculations
Questions 1–10
1. What is the primary purpose of Table 1 on the PADI Recreational Dive Planner (RDP
Table)?
B) To determine the pressure group letter after a
A) To calculate surface interval credit
single dive
C) To find the residual nitrogen time for a repetitive D) To compute the minimum surface interval between
dive dives
Answer: B) To determine the pressure group letter after a single dive
Rationale: Table 1 (Back Side) is the End-of-Dive Letter Group Table. It provides the pressure group
designation based on the depth and bottom time of a single dive. Divers locate their maximum depth
and actual bottom time at the intersection to find their pressure group letter (A through Z), which
1
, PADI RDP Table & eRDPML Dive Planning Exam — 2026/2027 Certification Assessment
reflects the theoretical nitrogen absorption in their body tissues following the DSAT/Haldanean
decompression model.
2. After a single dive to 14 metres (45 feet) for 39 minutes, a diver surfaces. According to the
RDP Table, what approximate pressure group should this diver assign?
A) Group H B) Group L
C) Group M D) Group P
Answer: C) Group M
Rationale: Using Table 1, locate 14 metres on the depth axis and 39 minutes on the time axis. The
intersection falls within pressure Group M. This letter group indicates the diver has absorbed a
significant nitrogen load that must be accounted for in any subsequent repetitive dive planning via
Tables 2 and 3.
3. Table 2 of the RDP is used for which of the following purposes?
A) Finding the no-decompression limit at a given B) Calculating the new pressure group after a surface
depth interval
C) Determining the residual nitrogen time for a
D) Planning multilevel dive profiles
planned depth
Answer: B) Calculating the new pressure group after a surface interval
Rationale: Table 2 (Surface Interval Table) takes the diver's end-of-dive pressure group from Table 1
and the actual surface interval time to determine the new pressure group at the end of the surface
interval. Nitrogen off-gassing occurs during the surface interval, which reduces the diver's theoretical
nitrogen load, reflected by a move to a lower letter group.
4. A diver exits the water in pressure Group K. After a 1-hour (60-minute) surface interval,
what is the new pressure group according to Table 2?
A) Group E B) Group F
C) Group G D) Group D
Answer: B) Group F
Rationale: On Table 2, locate Group K in the left column and follow horizontally to the right until
reaching the 60-minute surface interval block. The new pressure group at that intersection is Group F.
This reduction from Group K to Group F reflects the nitrogen off-gassing that occurred during the 60-
minute surface interval, lowering the diver's inert gas burden.
5. What does the Residual Nitrogen Time (RNT) represent in repetitive dive planning?
A) The total time a diver can spend at depth on a B) The time already "used" from the no-
repetitive dive decompression limit due to residual nitrogen
C) The minimum time required at the surface before a
D) The actual bottom time of the previous dive
repetitive dive
Answer: B) The time already "used" from the no-decompression limit due to residual
nitrogen
Rationale: Residual Nitrogen Time represents the theoretical amount of nitrogen remaining in a
diver's tissues from a previous dive, expressed as an equivalent time at the planned depth. It is added to
the actual bottom time of the repetitive dive to calculate the Total Nitrogen Time (TNT), which must not
2
PADI RDP Table & eRDPML Dive Planning Exam
— 2026/2027 Certification Assessment —
50-Question Comprehensive Test Bank with Verified Answers & Rationales
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
• This examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions organized into 6 sections, covering RDP
Table navigation, no-decompression limits, repetitive dive planning, eRDPml operation, special rules
and safety protocols, and scenario-based decision-making.
• Each question carries equal weight. Select the single best answer from options A through D.
• A time allowance of approximately 90 minutes is recommended for completion.
• An approved RDP Table or eRDPml may be used as a reference during the examination.
• Mark your answers clearly. Partial credit is not awarded.
• All answers are verified against the PADI RDP Table (metric version) and current PADI training
standards.
SCORE SUMMARY
Section Questions Points Score
I — RDP Table Navigation & Pressure Groups 1–10 10
II — No-Decompression Limits & NDL Management 11–20 10
III — Repetitive Dive Planning 21–30 10
IV — eRDPml Operating Modes 31–38 8
V — Special Rules & Safety Protocols 39–45 7
VI — Scenario-Based Decision-Making 46–50 5
TOTAL 1–50 50
Passing Score: (76%) | Final Grade: ___________ %
Section I: RDP Table Navigation & Pressure Group Calculations
Questions 1–10
1. What is the primary purpose of Table 1 on the PADI Recreational Dive Planner (RDP
Table)?
B) To determine the pressure group letter after a
A) To calculate surface interval credit
single dive
C) To find the residual nitrogen time for a repetitive D) To compute the minimum surface interval between
dive dives
Answer: B) To determine the pressure group letter after a single dive
Rationale: Table 1 (Back Side) is the End-of-Dive Letter Group Table. It provides the pressure group
designation based on the depth and bottom time of a single dive. Divers locate their maximum depth
and actual bottom time at the intersection to find their pressure group letter (A through Z), which
1
, PADI RDP Table & eRDPML Dive Planning Exam — 2026/2027 Certification Assessment
reflects the theoretical nitrogen absorption in their body tissues following the DSAT/Haldanean
decompression model.
2. After a single dive to 14 metres (45 feet) for 39 minutes, a diver surfaces. According to the
RDP Table, what approximate pressure group should this diver assign?
A) Group H B) Group L
C) Group M D) Group P
Answer: C) Group M
Rationale: Using Table 1, locate 14 metres on the depth axis and 39 minutes on the time axis. The
intersection falls within pressure Group M. This letter group indicates the diver has absorbed a
significant nitrogen load that must be accounted for in any subsequent repetitive dive planning via
Tables 2 and 3.
3. Table 2 of the RDP is used for which of the following purposes?
A) Finding the no-decompression limit at a given B) Calculating the new pressure group after a surface
depth interval
C) Determining the residual nitrogen time for a
D) Planning multilevel dive profiles
planned depth
Answer: B) Calculating the new pressure group after a surface interval
Rationale: Table 2 (Surface Interval Table) takes the diver's end-of-dive pressure group from Table 1
and the actual surface interval time to determine the new pressure group at the end of the surface
interval. Nitrogen off-gassing occurs during the surface interval, which reduces the diver's theoretical
nitrogen load, reflected by a move to a lower letter group.
4. A diver exits the water in pressure Group K. After a 1-hour (60-minute) surface interval,
what is the new pressure group according to Table 2?
A) Group E B) Group F
C) Group G D) Group D
Answer: B) Group F
Rationale: On Table 2, locate Group K in the left column and follow horizontally to the right until
reaching the 60-minute surface interval block. The new pressure group at that intersection is Group F.
This reduction from Group K to Group F reflects the nitrogen off-gassing that occurred during the 60-
minute surface interval, lowering the diver's inert gas burden.
5. What does the Residual Nitrogen Time (RNT) represent in repetitive dive planning?
A) The total time a diver can spend at depth on a B) The time already "used" from the no-
repetitive dive decompression limit due to residual nitrogen
C) The minimum time required at the surface before a
D) The actual bottom time of the previous dive
repetitive dive
Answer: B) The time already "used" from the no-decompression limit due to residual
nitrogen
Rationale: Residual Nitrogen Time represents the theoretical amount of nitrogen remaining in a
diver's tissues from a previous dive, expressed as an equivalent time at the planned depth. It is added to
the actual bottom time of the repetitive dive to calculate the Total Nitrogen Time (TNT), which must not
2
