Understanding the new M200 and OOW Unlimited Exam Structure
The MCA has introduced significant changes to the M200 and OOW Unlimited Exam Structure.
Instead of having one oral exam, it is now split into two.
Part A: Online computer-based proctored exam
Part B: Online face-to-face oral exam
⚠️ Important: Don’t sit Part A until you’re ready for Part B, as changing exam dates is now more difficult.
Reasons for the change?
Confidence: Ensures students have the required knowledge to sit the oral exam.
Time efficiency: Prevents wasting examiners’ time and reducing backlogs.
Commitment: Addresses the issue of easy cancellations.
“The change will give both the candidate and examiner confidence that the candidate has the knowledge required to understand the Part B examination” and “reduce the number of examinations required to be undertaken by the MCA examiners, allowing for more examinations slots for other Coc Candidates”
When does it start?
OOW Unlimited - NOE’s issued from 1 May 2023 and any NOE resits issued from 1 June 2023 must complete Part A before being able to book Part B of the examination.
M200 - Candidates with NOE’s issued from 2 April 2024, must successfully complete Part A before being able to book Part B of the examination. (Although we found that some students, it was not enforced until May).
What is a proctored exam?
In short, it is a timed test taken online and monitored by proctoring software to confirm your identity and maintain examination conditions throughout.
For now, part A is only for OOW unlimited and M200
Guess who had the highest failure rate in 2023? OOW unlimited at 50%, followed closely behind M200 at 54%.
Who is next? At a guess, OOW at 79%, then M3000 at 81%.....time will tell though.
Where can I find more information?
Part A: Proctored Exam Details
On-demand exam: Available anytime once you have your NOE.
Platform: Conducted via “My Know”. Your NOE email will provide the link, username and password to access your Part A exam.
Code of Conduct: Please read the code of conduct sent with your NOE email.
Note: Candidates must use the same email address that will be used to access their examination.
Duration: 40min. All answers to all questions must be submitted within this time.
Environment: A suitable room with the necessary amenities (clear desk, comfortable chair, water, low ambient noise and adequate lighting)
Device requirement: A laptop, desktop, or tablet with a camera and reliable internet (min 10mbps). You will be expected to use the device’s camera to film the room you are using for your examination. Mobile phones are not allowed to be used for the proctored exam.
*******IMPORTANT UPDATE - AMENDMENT 5 - NOW REQUIRES A SECONDARY DEVICE FOR PART A WITH QR-CODE PAIRING TO SHOW THE CANDIDATE AND THEIR SCREEN. At the start of your exam, you’ll need to use your mobile phone to scan a QR code shown on your computer screen. This will activate a second camera view that records you and your screen throughout the exam. Please ensure you have a phone stand or tripod ready so your mobile can stay in place and clearly capture you during the exam.
Proctoring: Candidates must remain in view of their camera, cannot leave their desk/room, and must not wear headphones.
Submission: After submitting an answer, you cannot return to the previous question. The exam ends by clicking the “submit” button or automatically when the time is up.
Results: Emailed within five working days.
Connectivity issues: Report any connectivity issues to exams@mcga.gov.uk within 24 hours.
OOW Unlimited and M200 questions and structure
Consists of 15 questions, each containing 4 test points.
It is made up of three questions:
International Collision Regulations
IALA systems of buoyage
Navigational procedures
The remaining six questions will be drawn from the remainder of the syllabus.
OOW Unlimited
M200
Feedback from students
Indicate it's a mix of multiple choice, true or false, and drag-and-drop questions.
I am starting my bank of exam questions and have a new section within my M200 course.
How do I get my results for Part A?
The examination outcome will be emailed to you. If you do not receive a result within five working days, contact the Examinations Team at exams@mcga.gov.uk.
What happens if you fail Part A?
You will receive an email detailing the procedure for retaking the Part A examination, including the payment required. The fee for the second attempt is £159, and subsequent resits cost £84.
Part A resits may be taken at the following intervals:
Second attempt – at least two weeks after the initial exam.
Third attempt – at least two weeks after the second attempt and after submission of all mandatory documentary evidence confirming that the candidate has met all other applicable requirements for the issue of the required CoC, except for the oral examination result.
Subsequent attempts – at least three months after the previous attempt and after submission of all mandatory documentary evidence confirming that the candidate has met all other applicable requirements for the issue of the required CoC, except for the oral examination result.
You cannot proceed to the Part B examination until the Part A examination has been passed.
The Part B examination must be completed within 12 months of passing the Part A examination.
Part B: Oral Online face-to-face
How do I book my Exam for Part B?
You will be sent a booking form by email after you pass part A.
Within the booking form, you will be asked to provide the following information:
Full Name
SDS Number (as provided in your NOE email)
Unique Pin (as provided in your NOE email)
Phone Number
Email Address
Examination Type (e.g., deck or engineer) - Important: Ensure your exam type is correct as errors can sometimes occur.
Date Ranges You Are NOT Available
When specifying unavailable dates, be precise. For example, if you would like an exam in September 2024 (and it’s now June), you would indicate that you are unavailable from 01/06/2024 to 31/08/2024. However, don’t assume you will get an exam in September – they may give you a spot in October. So if you are unavailable in October you would also need to indicate that too.
🚨 Fred Tip for Date Ranges
After receiving feedback from students' MCA correspondent emails, you can also write in the text box, "Hello, I am trying to match the yacht's schedule. I am NOT available during the following date ranges: 01/05/2025 – 25/09/2025, 10/10/2025 – 31/12/2025. This means I'm requesting an exam date between 26/09/2025 and 09/10/2025. Thank you in advance. Fred Wilson.
How long does it take for the MCA to allocate an oral exam?
The response time is usually 1-2 business days.
01/04/25 ******Recently it has been taking up to 2-3 months! which is not ideal. The MCA have said they have employed more staff to help with the backlog **********
Who should I contact if I don’t get a response?
Exams team via email at onlineoralexams@mcga.gov.uk
Can I choose my exam date through an online booking system?
Previously, this was possible. However, the MCA has reverted to a more manual process due to issues with people frequently changing their exams, which caused backlogs.
How far ahead can I book an oral exam?
We are still monitoring this. It used to be 3 months, but with this new system, it can be up to 6 months now. You will also see on the booking form that it says, “We are not taking bookings for **** at this time.”
Preparing for your Oral Exam
You will receive three important pieces of information attached to your NOE email:
❸ Radar plotting sheet - print out at least 3 copies
🚨 FRED: Make sure you read them! As gives information on the following:
Exam Preparation Checklist
Quiet room
Clear desk
Low ambient noise
Closed exit door
Do not use public places for the exam
Log in to the meeting at least 10 minutes before the designated start time
Plotting sheet printed and ready
Exam stationery: calculator, A4 plain writing paper, black pen, pencil, eraser, ruler
Training logbook (only for OOW unlimited and not for M200)
Business formal attire
Valid government-issued photo ID (passport or driving license for UK nationals, passport for foreign nationals)
Device requirements: laptop, desktop, or tablet with a camera and reliable internet (min 10mbps)
Use the device’s camera to show the room you use for your examination (so you would need a portable camera for your desktop)
Examination cannot be accessed via mobile phone
No background effects or headphones
Download the Microsoft Teams application ahead of the examination
Familiarise yourself with the screen share functionality on Microsoft Teams
Do not have any other programs, documents, or files open on your device
Be prepared to focus your camera on any written work undertaken during the exam
Connectivity Issues
In the event of connectivity or IT issues, the exam may be postponed, and you will need to reschedule.
So ensure:
Excellent internet connection (google ‘speed test’ online)
Up-to-date device - no more than 3 years old
Latest software updates
Use Google Chrome
Latest Microsoft Teams app and tested it
Tested video and audio settings
Knowledge of how to start and stop screen sharing
“Candidates must email onlineoralexams@mcga.gov.uk within 5 minutes of the exam start time if they encounter connection issues or have not connected with the examiner.”
— MCA
🚨 Tip: If this happens to you, take screenshots as evidence. If you don’t get a response via email within 5 minutes, call the main switchboard - 02038172000.
Can I cancel or change my online oral exam?
This is now not so easy…..
The MCA states:
“Cancellation or transfer of booked oral examinations is only permitted in exceptional circumstances. For the absence of doubt, this does not include a desired change of date or not being ready to take the examination. Candidates who need to cancel for exceptional circumstances should email the details to onlineoralexams@mcga.gov.uk, including appropriate evidence of the exceptional circumstance.
Potential exceptional circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
· Returning to sea at the request of the company
· Unavoidably held on a ship
· Medical emergency of self or close relative
· Compassionate reasons
Any cancellation must be made with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice to avoid the examination being declared a failure by default.
Failure to attend without a valid reason will result in the examination being declared as a failure by default.
Recording of Exams
Exams are now recorded (with your permission) to allow for a review in the event of a candidate's appeal or an examiner's concern.
Completing Your Online Oral Examination
The MCA examiner will verbally announce the result and provide feedback:
Pass: Yay!
Submit a copy of the email confirming your result and any outstanding documents as required. (Refer to my blog on how to apply for your COC after you pass).Fail: Boohoo😢
Apply for another NOE/resit as soon as possible while the information is fresh. (Refer to my blog on what to do if you fail your exam).
Do I need to sit Part A again if I failed Part B?
You only need to resit Part A if more than 12 months have passed since passing it.
As you can see, you can’t take Part A (or Part B) lightly.
If you're unsure about any aspect of the new exam structure, don't hesitate to reach out at fred@fredsoralprep.com for clarification.
