ASA 103 TEST NEWEST ACTUAL EXAM | Complete
Real Exam Questions and Correct Verified Answers
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Navigation & Chart Reading – 12 Questions
Q1: You are looking at your compass and comparing it to the chart. You know that true
north and magnetic north aren't in the same place. What is the term for the angular
difference between true north and magnetic north shown on the compass rose?
A. Deviation
B. Variation [CORRECT]
C. Leeway
D. Drift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For ASA 103, remember that variation is the difference between true north
and magnetic north printed on the chart's compass rose, while deviation is the error
caused by magnetic fields on your specific boat.
Q2: You are planning a coastal cruise and need to figure out how long it will take to get
to your next waypoint. If your boat speed is 6 knots and the distance to the waypoint is 9
nautical miles, how long will it take?
A. 1 hour
B. 1.5 hours [CORRECT]
C. 2 hours
D. 45 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because the basic navigation formula is Distance =
Speed x Time, so dividing 9 nautical miles by 6 knots gives you 1.5 hours of travel time.
Q3: While cruising down the coast, you see a symbol on the chart that looks like a small
circle with a dotted line around it and an "R" inside. What does this indicate to you as
the skipper?
A. A restricted area where entry is prohibited or dangerous
B. A rock that uncovers at low tide [CORRECT]
C. A recommended route for deep-draft vessels
D. A reef safe to navigate over at high tide
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: This aligns with standard NOAA chart symbols where a dotted circle around
a feature indicates it uncovers, and the "R" stands for rock, meaning you need to give it
a wide berth at lower water levels.
Q4: You need to report your position to the Coast Guard. You look at the chart and find
you are exactly at the intersection of the 33° 45.0' N parallel and the 118° 15.0' W
meridian. How do you properly state this latitude and longitude?
A. 118 degrees 15 minutes West, 33 degrees 45 minutes North
B. 33 degrees 45 minutes North, 118 degrees 15 minutes West [CORRECT]
C. 33.45 North, 118.15 West
D. North 33.45, West 118.15
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because standard maritime communication always
dictates stating latitude first (in degrees and minutes), followed by longitude.
Q5: You have two charts spread out on the nav station. Chart A shows a large overview
of the entire coastline, while Chart B shows a highly detailed view of just the harbor
entrance. Which chart has the larger scale?
A. Chart A
B. Chart B [CORRECT]
C. Both charts have the same scale
D. The scale cannot be determined without a ruler
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Think about how chart scales work—a larger scale means the area is
magnified more to show more detail, so the harbor chart (Chart B) will have a larger
representative fraction (like 1:10,000) compared to the coastal overview.
Q6: You are navigating a channel with a predicted current table excerpt. The table
shows the current is setting 045° True at 2.0 knots. If you steer a course of 000° True at
a speed of 5.0 knots for exactly one hour, where will your Estimated Position (EP) be
relative to your Dead Reckoning (DR) position?
A. Directly on the DR position
B. South of the DR position
C. Northwest of the DR position
D. Northeast of the DR position [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The best answer is D because the current is pushing you toward the
northeast at 2 knots for that hour, meaning your actual path through the water combined
with the current places your estimated position northeast of where you thought you'd be
without the current.
, Q7: You are plotting a course and notice a symbol that looks like a small asterisk or star
with the letters "GP" next to it. What hazard does this represent?
A. A gas pipeline crossing the channel
B. A group of rocks or pinnacles [CORRECT]
C. A designated gathering place for commercial fishing vessels
D. A grounding point for shallow draft vessels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For ASA 103, remember that on NOAA charts, a group of rocks is often
denoted by an asterisk-like symbol or a plus sign, sometimes with the letters "Gr" or
"GP" to indicate a rocky area.
Q8: You leave the dock at 0900 and steer a steady course of 090° magnetic at 5 knots.
There is no current. At 0930, you plot your position on the chart. What is this plotted
position called?
A. Estimated Position
B. Fix
C. Dead Reckoning position [CORRECT]
D. Set and Drift
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This aligns with basic navigation principles where advancing a known
position along a projected course line for a specific time and speed, without accounting
for current or wind, gives you a Dead Reckoning (DR) position.
Q9: You are looking at the tide tables for your anchorage. The table shows a predicted
low tide of -1.0 feet at 1600. Your boat draws 5.5 feet, and the charted depth next to
your anchorage is 6.0 feet. Can you safely anchor there at 1600?
A. Yes, you will have 0.5 feet of clearance under the keel
B. No, you will run aground because the actual water depth will be 5.0 feet [CORRECT]
C. Yes, because charted depths are always corrected for negative tides
D. No, the tide table is predicting a 10-foot tide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because a negative tide of -1.0 feet means the water
level is a foot lower than the charted datum (Mean Lower Low Water), leaving only 5.0
feet of actual water, which is less than your 5.5-foot draft.
Q10: You are looking at the compass rose on your nautical chart and see an inner
magnetic circle and an outer true circle. If you measure a course line on the chart using
the outer true circle and it reads 045° True, and the local variation is 15° West, what is
your magnetic course to steer?
A. 060° Magnetic
B. 030° Magnetic [CORRECT]
Real Exam Questions and Correct Verified Answers
– Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Navigation & Chart Reading – 12 Questions
Q1: You are looking at your compass and comparing it to the chart. You know that true
north and magnetic north aren't in the same place. What is the term for the angular
difference between true north and magnetic north shown on the compass rose?
A. Deviation
B. Variation [CORRECT]
C. Leeway
D. Drift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For ASA 103, remember that variation is the difference between true north
and magnetic north printed on the chart's compass rose, while deviation is the error
caused by magnetic fields on your specific boat.
Q2: You are planning a coastal cruise and need to figure out how long it will take to get
to your next waypoint. If your boat speed is 6 knots and the distance to the waypoint is 9
nautical miles, how long will it take?
A. 1 hour
B. 1.5 hours [CORRECT]
C. 2 hours
D. 45 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because the basic navigation formula is Distance =
Speed x Time, so dividing 9 nautical miles by 6 knots gives you 1.5 hours of travel time.
Q3: While cruising down the coast, you see a symbol on the chart that looks like a small
circle with a dotted line around it and an "R" inside. What does this indicate to you as
the skipper?
A. A restricted area where entry is prohibited or dangerous
B. A rock that uncovers at low tide [CORRECT]
C. A recommended route for deep-draft vessels
D. A reef safe to navigate over at high tide
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: This aligns with standard NOAA chart symbols where a dotted circle around
a feature indicates it uncovers, and the "R" stands for rock, meaning you need to give it
a wide berth at lower water levels.
Q4: You need to report your position to the Coast Guard. You look at the chart and find
you are exactly at the intersection of the 33° 45.0' N parallel and the 118° 15.0' W
meridian. How do you properly state this latitude and longitude?
A. 118 degrees 15 minutes West, 33 degrees 45 minutes North
B. 33 degrees 45 minutes North, 118 degrees 15 minutes West [CORRECT]
C. 33.45 North, 118.15 West
D. North 33.45, West 118.15
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because standard maritime communication always
dictates stating latitude first (in degrees and minutes), followed by longitude.
Q5: You have two charts spread out on the nav station. Chart A shows a large overview
of the entire coastline, while Chart B shows a highly detailed view of just the harbor
entrance. Which chart has the larger scale?
A. Chart A
B. Chart B [CORRECT]
C. Both charts have the same scale
D. The scale cannot be determined without a ruler
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Think about how chart scales work—a larger scale means the area is
magnified more to show more detail, so the harbor chart (Chart B) will have a larger
representative fraction (like 1:10,000) compared to the coastal overview.
Q6: You are navigating a channel with a predicted current table excerpt. The table
shows the current is setting 045° True at 2.0 knots. If you steer a course of 000° True at
a speed of 5.0 knots for exactly one hour, where will your Estimated Position (EP) be
relative to your Dead Reckoning (DR) position?
A. Directly on the DR position
B. South of the DR position
C. Northwest of the DR position
D. Northeast of the DR position [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The best answer is D because the current is pushing you toward the
northeast at 2 knots for that hour, meaning your actual path through the water combined
with the current places your estimated position northeast of where you thought you'd be
without the current.
, Q7: You are plotting a course and notice a symbol that looks like a small asterisk or star
with the letters "GP" next to it. What hazard does this represent?
A. A gas pipeline crossing the channel
B. A group of rocks or pinnacles [CORRECT]
C. A designated gathering place for commercial fishing vessels
D. A grounding point for shallow draft vessels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For ASA 103, remember that on NOAA charts, a group of rocks is often
denoted by an asterisk-like symbol or a plus sign, sometimes with the letters "Gr" or
"GP" to indicate a rocky area.
Q8: You leave the dock at 0900 and steer a steady course of 090° magnetic at 5 knots.
There is no current. At 0930, you plot your position on the chart. What is this plotted
position called?
A. Estimated Position
B. Fix
C. Dead Reckoning position [CORRECT]
D. Set and Drift
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This aligns with basic navigation principles where advancing a known
position along a projected course line for a specific time and speed, without accounting
for current or wind, gives you a Dead Reckoning (DR) position.
Q9: You are looking at the tide tables for your anchorage. The table shows a predicted
low tide of -1.0 feet at 1600. Your boat draws 5.5 feet, and the charted depth next to
your anchorage is 6.0 feet. Can you safely anchor there at 1600?
A. Yes, you will have 0.5 feet of clearance under the keel
B. No, you will run aground because the actual water depth will be 5.0 feet [CORRECT]
C. Yes, because charted depths are always corrected for negative tides
D. No, the tide table is predicting a 10-foot tide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B because a negative tide of -1.0 feet means the water
level is a foot lower than the charted datum (Mean Lower Low Water), leaving only 5.0
feet of actual water, which is less than your 5.5-foot draft.
Q10: You are looking at the compass rose on your nautical chart and see an inner
magnetic circle and an outer true circle. If you measure a course line on the chart using
the outer true circle and it reads 045° True, and the local variation is 15° West, what is
your magnetic course to steer?
A. 060° Magnetic
B. 030° Magnetic [CORRECT]
