USCG OUPV & Master · Exam prep
Pass your USCG Captain’s exam — on the rules.
OUPV (Six-Pack) and Master 100 GT. Real exam-style questions — every answer cited to 33 CFR, COLREGs, and Bowditch. Drill the Rules of the Road module that needs 90% until you know it cold.
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Live sample · Electrical measuring devices and instrumentation
No sign-up
When using an ohmmeter to measure the resistance of a motor winding, the technician must first ensure the motor is:
- ✓ Every answer cited & verified
- ✓ All 4 USCG exam modules
- ✓ NMC-format timed mock exam
- ✓ 4,000+ judge-verified questions
2,069+
Cited passages indexed
100%
Answers with a source citation
4
USCG exam modules covered
38
COLREGs navigation Rules
How it works
From cold to exam-ready — on the rules.
No memorized answer keys. You drill what the exam actually tests, see the source behind every answer, and pace yourself to your real exam date.
Drill real exam questions
Answer NMC-format questions by module — pick a topic or run a full timed mock exam.
See exactly why
Every answer reveals a cited explanation — 33 CFR, COLREGs, or Bowditch. Learn the rule, not a key.
Pace to exam day
A readiness gauge and a week-by-week plan keep you on track to your real exam date.
The study cockpit
Always know if you’re ready.
One dashboard ties every drill to your exam date — so studying never feels like guesswork.
- A readiness gauge tied to your real exam date
- Adaptive emphasis on your weak areas
- Source-citation popovers on every answer
Exam readiness
78%on track
Why trust it
Built on primary sources — not someone’s notes.
Every lesson, question, and answer is anchored to a public federal source you can verify yourself.
Every answer traced to the rule it tests
A separate validator model rejects any question whose citation doesn’t support it, and a build check refuses to ship a citation that doesn’t resolve to the federal source text.
Independent study tool — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center.
Verify our primary sourcesWhere to start
Pick your path through the prep
The anchor guides covering the questions every candidate runs into — credential choice, cost, sea time, practice, where to test, renewal, and the rules the exam actually tests.
Credentials
The Rules — hardest module
Exam logistics
Comparison
How we compare
Most prep services either copy NMC question banks (no explanation, no source) or charge $400–900 for a video course you can’t skim.
Citation-backed answers
CaptainsGroundevery Q linked to sourceIn-person courses—Generic Q-bank apps—NMC-style timed mock exam
CaptainsGround70 Q × 90 minIn-person courses✓Generic Q-bank appspartialAdaptive study plan
CaptainsGroundfrom exam date + hoursIn-person courses—Generic Q-bank apps—FSRS-4 spaced repetition
CaptainsGroundFSRS-4 schedulerIn-person courses—Generic Q-bank appsbasic AnkiFree tier
CaptainsGroundentire productIn-person courses$600–900Generic Q-bank apps$30–80/moSource corpus you can verify
CaptainsGround/sources page, live countsIn-person courses—Generic Q-bank apps—
| Feature | CaptainsGround | In-person courses | Generic Q-bank apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citation-backed answers | every Q linked to source | — | — |
| NMC-style timed mock exam | 70 Q × 90 min | ✓ | partial |
| Adaptive study plan | from exam date + hours | — | — |
| FSRS-4 spaced repetition | FSRS-4 scheduler | — | basic Anki |
| Free tier | entire product | $600–900 | $30–80/mo |
| Source corpus you can verify | /sources page, live counts | — | — |
FAQ
Frequently asked
Is this affiliated with the USCG or NMC?
No. CaptainsGround is an independent prep tool. The corpus is built from public-domain federal sources — 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, Inland Rules, NGA Bowditch, and USCG manuals.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The free tier covers daily practice drills, a sample mock exam, and a starter flashcard deck — enough to find your weak spots. When you’re ready to be exam-ready, the 90-day Exam Prep Pass ($79) unlocks unlimited drills with explanations, all module mock exams, your full personalized study plan, and the complete flashcard decks. Early-access members are grandfathered with full access, free.
Will this prepare me for the actual NMC exam?
Our mock exam mirrors NMC OUPV format — 70 questions × 90 minutes, weighted by module, 70% pass mark. Pass our final mock and you’ll likely pass the real one. Drills, lessons, and FSRS deck cover the same material.
What credentials do you cover?
OUPV (Inland and Near-Coastal — both Six-Pack), Master 25/50/100 GT. Set yours during onboarding; the plan adapts.
How long does prep take?
Most candidates finish in 6–10 weeks at 8h/week. Tight 2-week sprints work for experienced mariners willing to do 15h/week.
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes — full mobile UI, drill and flashcards work on any screen. Offline support for lessons and due cards is being added.
What if I find a wrong answer?
Every drill question is judge-validated against the cited source before publishing. Found a discrepancy? Email us — corrections re-run through the pipeline.
Start drilling in 30 seconds. Free.
No signup, no credit card — answer 5 real, cited exam questions right now.