Memorize less and Pass the Nav Rules Exam!
I have a method for learning how to pass the Nav Rules Exam. This applies to both the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard Captain's License (OUPV). It emphasizes memorizing a small subset of facts and figuring out the answer by logic. Students who follow the method to the end have a 100% pass record. About half pass the first time and the rest have to take it twice in succesion. This is allowed if you take it on-line. No claim is made that this method is useful on the water. You don't have time to figure out stuff in real life. However, you will encounter only a few of all possible situations. Learn those well!! This method is just to pass the exam.
Until recently, this was available only to my flotilla members or students who took the Captain's Prep course at the Institute for Marine Technoloy. I was requested to make it available to a larger audience. This is the result.

Unfortunately, I can't find all the files so some of the material is missing. I will try to find those files or recreate them. In the meantime, if you feel something is missing, apply this method. For example, for sounds. Skip all the legal mumbo jumbo on maneuvering. Don't worry every time about the difference in wording between International and Inland. Don't worry about meeting, crossing or overtaking. Your first thoughts should be: One short if you turn to Starboard and Two shorts if you turn to port. If the question requires you to go further, take a deep breath. You are almost there.
Here are the available files. Study them in order. Take your time. Study with a friend. If you don't enjoy, you won't finish.
  1. Nav Rules Introduction
  2. Lights and Shapes
  3. Day Shapes
  4. Rhymes (memory aids)
  5. Angles (only need to remember one)
  6. Towing (great memory aids)
  7. Very Brief Summary (needs to be expanded)
  8. Actual Questions (DO NOT LOOK AT FOLLOWING UNTIL 3 DAYS BEFORE EXAM )
  9. Questions to Watch Out For
  10. Answers to above Questions
  11. Recent Changes to Nav Rules

Practice Exams for Nav Rules in .pdf format (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader)

These were collected BEFORE the current Nav Rules Exam went back on-line.
Most are reasonable questions but use at your own risk. They certainly do not reflect any changes after 2005.
I will try to edit them when I have the chance. Right now, my priority is AUXSCE (fantastic course -- take this if you can).

Questions from 2 exams, by type.  

Answers to these questions.          

18April03 Practice Exam Questions.

18April03 Practice Exam Answers.

21April03 Practice Exam Questions.

21April03 Practice Exam Answers.

24April03 Practice Exam Questions.

24April03 Practice Exam Answers.