PADI
Open Water Diver Final Exam Review 2026–2027 | Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales | Scuba Diving
Certification Prep
This Study Guide Includes
➢ PADI Open Water Diver final exam review questions
➢ Answers with detailed rationales
➢ Diving physics, pressure, and air-volume relationships
, PADI Open Water Diver Final Exam Review 2026–
2027 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Scuba Diving Certification Prep
Question 1
If an object is neutrally buoyant (does not sink or float) in fresh water,
the same object placed into salt water would
A. sink.
B. either sink or float.
C. do nothing.
D. float.
Answer: D
Rationale: Salt water is heavier than fresh water because it has
dissolved minerals in it. This means it causes more upward force
(buoyancy) on an object. An object that is neutrally buoyant in fresh
water would float in salt water because there is greater upward force.
Reference: Being a Diver I – Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy
Question 2
,I blow up a balloon, tie it off, and take it to the bottom of the
swimming pool. What will happen to the balloon and the air inside it?
A. The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense (molecules move further apart).
B. The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be
more dense (molecules move closer together).
C. The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be more
dense.
D. The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense.
Answer: B
Rationale: As water pressure increases, the volume of an air space will
decrease. This causes the density of the air inside to increase and air
molecules are pushed closer together. The balloon would get smaller
and the air density inside would be greater.
Reference: Being a Diver I – Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects
Question 3
I turn a glass upside down, trap the air in it by putting it in water, and
then I take the glass down to 10 meters. The air space would
, A. become half the size it was at the surface.
B. not change in size.
C. become 1/3 the size it was at the surface.
D. become 2/3 the size it was at the surface.
Answer: A
Rationale: At 10 meters, the pressure is 2 bar. An air volume taken to
this depth from the surface would decrease and become half the size.
Reference: Being a Diver I – Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects
Question 4
If I am not able to equalize (clear) my body air spaces, it may be
because I have
A. seasickness.
B. heart disease and high blood pressure.
C. a cold, allergy or another medical problem.
D. anxiety.
Answer: C
Rationale: A cold, or any congestion, can block air passages in your ears
and sinuses, making equalization difficult or impossible.
Open Water Diver Final Exam Review 2026–2027 | Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales | Scuba Diving
Certification Prep
This Study Guide Includes
➢ PADI Open Water Diver final exam review questions
➢ Answers with detailed rationales
➢ Diving physics, pressure, and air-volume relationships
, PADI Open Water Diver Final Exam Review 2026–
2027 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Scuba Diving Certification Prep
Question 1
If an object is neutrally buoyant (does not sink or float) in fresh water,
the same object placed into salt water would
A. sink.
B. either sink or float.
C. do nothing.
D. float.
Answer: D
Rationale: Salt water is heavier than fresh water because it has
dissolved minerals in it. This means it causes more upward force
(buoyancy) on an object. An object that is neutrally buoyant in fresh
water would float in salt water because there is greater upward force.
Reference: Being a Diver I – Buoyancy and Controlling Buoyancy
Question 2
,I blow up a balloon, tie it off, and take it to the bottom of the
swimming pool. What will happen to the balloon and the air inside it?
A. The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense (molecules move further apart).
B. The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be
more dense (molecules move closer together).
C. The balloon will get bigger and the air inside the balloon will be more
dense.
D. The balloon will get smaller and the air inside the balloon will be less
dense.
Answer: B
Rationale: As water pressure increases, the volume of an air space will
decrease. This causes the density of the air inside to increase and air
molecules are pushed closer together. The balloon would get smaller
and the air density inside would be greater.
Reference: Being a Diver I – Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects
Question 3
I turn a glass upside down, trap the air in it by putting it in water, and
then I take the glass down to 10 meters. The air space would
, A. become half the size it was at the surface.
B. not change in size.
C. become 1/3 the size it was at the surface.
D. become 2/3 the size it was at the surface.
Answer: A
Rationale: At 10 meters, the pressure is 2 bar. An air volume taken to
this depth from the surface would decrease and become half the size.
Reference: Being a Diver I – Water Pressure and Air Volume Effects
Question 4
If I am not able to equalize (clear) my body air spaces, it may be
because I have
A. seasickness.
B. heart disease and high blood pressure.
C. a cold, allergy or another medical problem.
D. anxiety.
Answer: C
Rationale: A cold, or any congestion, can block air passages in your ears
and sinuses, making equalization difficult or impossible.
