Navy QM2 Advancement Exam Practice Test: Quartermaster E-5 Questions

730 practice questions for the QM E-5 advancement exam: Rules of the Road, navigation, METOC, visual signals, honors and logs. We wrote every one from the public references on the March 2027 QM bibliography, and each answer links the page it comes from. Practice tests are 50 questions; aim for 35.

The real test: Your Navy-wide advancement exam is drawn from your rate's bibliography and comes back as a standard score that counts toward your final multiple; the Navy publishes no pass mark. Our practice test is 50 of our own questions with a 70% target.

Here: 730 questions. Our own practice questions, written from public references on the Navy QM bibliography (USCG Navigation Rules, NGA Bowditch, Pub 102 and Chart No. 1, U.S. Navy Regulations, OPNAVINST 3100.7C). Not Navy exam questions. Free.

What's on the test

10 sample questions

1. Under Navy Regulations, passing honors are not rendered:

   • A.Between 1200 and 1300 on any day
   • B.After sunset or before 0800, unless international courtesy requires
   • C.On Sundays or federal holidays
   • D.While either ship is at anchor
   Show answer

   B. After sunset or before 0800, unless international courtesy requires

   QM5-o7ugx · Honors and ceremonies · Navy Regs p. 148

2. International Code signal YG tells another ship:

   • A.You appear not to be complying with the TSS
   • B.Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty
   • C.I require a pilot
   • D.You are running into danger
   Show answer

   A. You appear not to be complying with the TSS

   QM5-12g7f · Maritime communication · Bowditch Vol I p. 508

3. Advection fog forms when:

   • A.Rain falls through a layer of cold air
   • B.Warm, moist air blows over a colder surface
   • C.Land cools by radiation on a clear night
   • D.Cold air moves over much warmer water and picks up moisture
   Show answer

   B. Warm, moist air blows over a colder surface

   QM5-khw7c · METOC observations and reports · Bowditch Vol I p. 675

4. Under Bowditch's four rules of DR, the DR position is plotted at least:

   • A.Every hour on the hour
   • B.Every half hour on the half hour
   • C.Only after each new fix
   • D.Once each four-hour watch
   Show answer

   A. Every hour on the hour

   QM5-1cse3 · Principles of navigation · Bowditch Vol I p. 203

5. How is a deck log entry corrected?

   • A.Erase it neatly and write the correct entry over it
   • B.A single line through the original so it stays legible, then the correct entry
   • C.Black it out completely and rewrite it on the next line
   • D.Rewrite the whole log sheet on a fresh OPNAV 3100/99 and destroy the old one
   Show answer

   B. A single line through the original so it stays legible, then the correct entry

   QM5-qlqo0 · Records and log keeping · OPNAVINST 3100.7C p. 9

6. The 72 COLREGS (International Rules) became effective on:

   • A.July 15, 1977
   • B.January 1, 1972
   • C.March 1, 1983
   • D.December 24, 1981
   Show answer

   A. July 15, 1977

   QM5-6lnyj · Rules of the Road · Bowditch Vol I p. 506

7. When does a ship of the Navy dip the national ensign?

   • A.At morning colors when underway
   • B.When passing any U.S. flag officer
   • C.When entering a foreign port
   • D.Only in return for such a compliment
   Show answer

   D. Only in return for such a compliment

   QM5-rlz0p · Honors and ceremonies · Navy Regs p. 159

8. GMDSS full implementation was accomplished by:

   • A.July 15, 1977
   • B.January 1, 2007
   • C.February 1, 1992
   • D.February 1, 1999
   Show answer

   D. February 1, 1999

   QM5-1daqt · Maritime communication · Bowditch Vol I p. 516

9. Radiation fog is seldom encountered more than how far from shore?

   • A.1 mile
   • B.10 miles
   • C.100 miles
   • D.50 miles
   Show answer

   B. 10 miles

   QM5-1ys5c · METOC observations and reports · Bowditch Vol I p. 675

10. Which event requires a new DR position under the DR rules?

    • A.Shifting to a new chart
    • B.Sunrise or sunset
    • C.A change of course or speed
    • D.A change of the navigation watch
    Show answer

    C. A change of course or speed

    QM5-1dwuj · Principles of navigation · Bowditch Vol I p. 203

What the study guide does

• Short study rounds and flip cards.
• A practice test built like the real one: 50 questions, 35 to pass.
• Pass Meter: your chance of passing if you sat the test today, worked out from your own answers.
• An explanation for every answer.