ASA 105 Exam v3 Practice Questions and Answers
Navigation & Chartwork
1. When converting a compass course to a true course, which correction is applied
first?
Answer: Variation
2. On a chart, a sounding of "8’" indicates:
Answer: 8 fathoms
3. What is the primary tool used in dead reckoning?
Answer: Compass and log
4. Which tide occurs when the sun and moon are aligned?
Answer: Spring tide
5. What is the purpose of a running fix?
Answer: To determine position using bearings over time
6. Which instrument measures boat speed through water?
Answer: Knotmeter/log
7. What does "set" describe in current navigation?
Answer: Direction of current
8. If variation is 10°E and deviation is 2°W, what is the total correction?
Answer: 8°E
9. Which navigation method uses visible landmarks?
Answer: Pilotage
10. What is the approximate time between successive high tides in a semi-diurnal
cycle?
Answer: 12 hours 25 minutes
11. Which chart symbol indicates a lighthouse?
Answer: Magenta flare symbol
12. What is leeway?
Answer: Sideways drift caused by wind
13. Which publication provides tidal predictions?
Answer: Tide Tables
14. What does "drift" describe in current navigation?
Answer: Speed of current
, 15. Which tool is used to transfer parallel lines on a chart?
Answer: Parallel rulers
Advanced Navigation
16. What is the main purpose of a sextant?
Answer: Measuring angles between celestial bodies and the horizon
17. A sounding of "15" on a metric chart indicates:
Answer: 15 meters of depth
18. What is the difference between variation and deviation?
Answer: Variation is geographic; deviation is vessel-specific error
19. Which publication lists light characteristics for navigation aids?
Answer: Light List
20. What is the primary purpose of a course line on a chart?
Answer: To show intended track over ground
21. Which factor must be considered when calculating estimated position (EP)?
Answer: Current set and drift
22. What is the purpose of a bearing taken with a hand-bearing compass?
Answer: To determine direction to a visible object
23. What does "LAT" stand for on a tide table?
Answer: Lowest Astronomical Tide
24. Which navigation method requires GPS satellites?
Answer: Electronic navigation
25. What is the difference between true north and magnetic north?
Answer: True north is geographic; magnetic north is compass-based
Tides, Currents & Practical Seamanship
26. If high water is at 0600, when is the next low water in a semi-diurnal cycle?
Answer: Around 1200
27. What is the purpose of a deviation card?
Answer: To record compass errors for specific headings
28. Which tool is used to measure distance on a chart?
Answer: Dividers
29. What is the primary purpose of a fix?
Navigation & Chartwork
1. When converting a compass course to a true course, which correction is applied
first?
Answer: Variation
2. On a chart, a sounding of "8’" indicates:
Answer: 8 fathoms
3. What is the primary tool used in dead reckoning?
Answer: Compass and log
4. Which tide occurs when the sun and moon are aligned?
Answer: Spring tide
5. What is the purpose of a running fix?
Answer: To determine position using bearings over time
6. Which instrument measures boat speed through water?
Answer: Knotmeter/log
7. What does "set" describe in current navigation?
Answer: Direction of current
8. If variation is 10°E and deviation is 2°W, what is the total correction?
Answer: 8°E
9. Which navigation method uses visible landmarks?
Answer: Pilotage
10. What is the approximate time between successive high tides in a semi-diurnal
cycle?
Answer: 12 hours 25 minutes
11. Which chart symbol indicates a lighthouse?
Answer: Magenta flare symbol
12. What is leeway?
Answer: Sideways drift caused by wind
13. Which publication provides tidal predictions?
Answer: Tide Tables
14. What does "drift" describe in current navigation?
Answer: Speed of current
, 15. Which tool is used to transfer parallel lines on a chart?
Answer: Parallel rulers
Advanced Navigation
16. What is the main purpose of a sextant?
Answer: Measuring angles between celestial bodies and the horizon
17. A sounding of "15" on a metric chart indicates:
Answer: 15 meters of depth
18. What is the difference between variation and deviation?
Answer: Variation is geographic; deviation is vessel-specific error
19. Which publication lists light characteristics for navigation aids?
Answer: Light List
20. What is the primary purpose of a course line on a chart?
Answer: To show intended track over ground
21. Which factor must be considered when calculating estimated position (EP)?
Answer: Current set and drift
22. What is the purpose of a bearing taken with a hand-bearing compass?
Answer: To determine direction to a visible object
23. What does "LAT" stand for on a tide table?
Answer: Lowest Astronomical Tide
24. Which navigation method requires GPS satellites?
Answer: Electronic navigation
25. What is the difference between true north and magnetic north?
Answer: True north is geographic; magnetic north is compass-based
Tides, Currents & Practical Seamanship
26. If high water is at 0600, when is the next low water in a semi-diurnal cycle?
Answer: Around 1200
27. What is the purpose of a deviation card?
Answer: To record compass errors for specific headings
28. Which tool is used to measure distance on a chart?
Answer: Dividers
29. What is the primary purpose of a fix?
