The exam itself has 15 multiple-choice sections for a total of 270 questions.  Personnel attempting to complete the D-CS Qual only do not take the Celestial Navigation section.  Personnel who qualify as a D-CS will only be required to take the Celestial Navigation section when they go for their D-SS qualification. 

We require that you participate in an offshore training cruise prior to even being recommended to take the exam (sailing in the Chesapeake Bay does not count as offshore).  Other programs may yield a similar qualification without the offshore component.  

D-CS Qual exam:

You must pass 10 out of 14 sections the first time you take the test. 

If you do not pass 10 sections the first time, you must retake the entire exam and pass all sections.

If you passed 10 sections the first time, you will get one chance to retake and pass the failed sections.

If you have not passed all 14 sections after the retake, you must re-do the PQS process, do another offshore cruise and be recommended to take the exam again. 

Passing for each section is 70% except for the Rules of the Road section which is 90%.

D-SS Qual exam:

You must pass 10 out of 15 sections the first time you take the test.  Midshipmen are required to take all 15 sections including Celestial. 

If you do not pass 10 sections the first time, you must retake the entire exam and pass all sections. 

If you passed 10 sections the first time, you will get one chance to retake and pass the failed sections. 

If you have not passed all 15 sections after the retake, you must re-do the PQS process, do another offshore cruise and be recommended to take the exam again.