Changes to MCA oral exams format and syllabus
What we know so far
There have been recent, major changes to the way that exams are carried out by the MCA. There is also ongoing work aimed at refreshing the syllabus.
Relevant documents: MIN 690, MIN 653
Split orals
From 2015 to 2023 the pass rate for OOW Unlimited oral exams sat at around 52%. MCA examiners grew frustrated at the fact that around half of the candidates weren’t ready to pass, and that a significant proportion of them were nowhere near the required standard. So, the MCA brought in split orals.
What does this mean?
Prior to being allowed to sit an oral exam, OOW Unlimited candidates and Master 200GT candidates must now sit an online test on the MyKnow platform. This is part A.
The OOW Unlimited part A exam consists of 15 questions, each consisting of four test points. There are three questions each on:
IALA Buoyage
Collision Regulations
Navigational Procedures
The pass marks for the topics covered are given below:
International Collision Regulations 90%
IALA Systems of Buoyage 90%
Navigational Procedures 80%
Seaworthiness 50%
Cargo Work 50%
Emergency Procedures 50%
Communication 50%
Regulation 50%
Other (Ship Handling, Meteorology, Safety and Security) 50%
If the candidate fails the part A exam, they must wait two weeks before they can resit. If they fail their resit, they must wait a further two weeks and re-submit all their documentation before they can make another attempt. Subsequent attempts are only permitted after three months and re-submission of all documentation.
The candidate must pass part A before they can book part B. Once the candidate passes part A, they are allocated a slot for their part B exam, ideally in the next six weeks. The part B exam must be passed within 12 months of passing the part A exam. The part B exam is a normal oral exam; the syllabus for this remains unchanged.
Although no timeframe has been agreed, the plan is to introduce split orals at Chief Mate Unlimited level.
Recorded orals
Now that oral exams happen via MS Teams rather than in person, the MCA has taken the opportunity to increase accountability within the system. Oral exams are recorded, and at the end of an oral exam the candidate is given the option to appeal the result; if they choose to do this, the video of their oral exam will be watched by additional MCA examiners who will determine if the result was merited.
Syllabus review
The Cadet Training and Modernisation Program is coordinated by the MCA. As part of this, a consultation was run in Jan/Feb of 2023 on proposed amendments to the syllabus. The CTMP is currently reviewing the feedback, but given that he majority of survey respondents agreed with the changes suggested, it seems likely that these changes will come into effect when MIN 653 expires or is replaced. The expectation was that the MCA would have a new syllabus and academic modules ready by the end of 2023, with a view to implementing these in the following 12-18 months.
What are the likely changes?
In general, more context is to be added within modules, to better prepare cadets for what they will encounter at sea. Focus on human element factors is to be increased throughout the syllabus, and a focus on data skills expanded upon.
Introduction to Marine Engineering
An outcome on marine engineering will be added to the bridge watchkeeping module.
Data Science skills
This will be added, most likely as a topic within an outcome, to increase cadets comprehension, analysis and presentation of data.
Chartwork and tides likely re-named and re-balancing towards electronic resources (ECDIS)
It seems likely that outcomes 1.3 -Storage and handling of charts and
1.4 - Procedures for ordering charts and publications will be removed from the syllabus.
Otherwise, the module will be re-named with a greater emphasis put on electronic means of navigation.
More simulator time for ship handling, emergency response and HELM
There is a general feeling that more time spent using simulators would be beneficial to cadets ship handling, their emergency response and their understanding of the human element. With simulators now available at all maritime colleges this seems a logical step.
The new syllabus will be published long before anyone is examined on it. The secret to passing will not change though - time spent studying will always pay off. Our study materials will be updated to reflect any and all changes once we know more.