The MCA oral examination ensures the candidate’s ability to undertake the duties appropriate to the second engineer. Oral examinations are part of the procedure for attaining all MCA certificates of competency, and all candidates must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the English language.
If you are undertaking the Second Engineer Officer on Small Vessels Oral Examination, you should bring your MNTB TRB at the Marine Office, where you are scheduled to sit the examination. The Examiner may refer to it during the examination.
You must take your current passport (with visa if applicable) to the oral examination as a means of identification.
It is recommended that you complete all of the education and training before attempting the oral examination. This will provide you with the knowledge on which the examination is based. The Oral Examination syllabus is available online, go to www.gov.uk and search “Small Vessel Oral Examination Syllabus”).
It is recommended that candidates complete an “Oral Prep Course” to ensure the best chance of passing the exam. Many schools have these courses on offer, but you should take the course as close to your exam date as possible and in the same geographic location as your exam.
The examiner will record the result of your oral examination on your NOE.
The oral examination pass is valid for a period of 3 years. This must be in date at the time of the issue of your Certificate of Competency. The NOE must be returned to the MCA with any outstanding documentary evidence.