How to use the captain course.

Practice = quick 10-question drills with immediate feedback (best for daily reps). Simulator = full 50-question REC-format module with a 3.5-hour timer (best when you want to test readiness). Flashcards = spaced-repetition card review for memorization (lights, signals, definitions). Lessons = structured 5-15 minute reads on each topic. Tutor = Study Coach you can ask anything; pulls from your actual progress data.

Start with the Daily Review page. It auto-routes you to whichever section has the biggest weak-area pile. If you've never taken a practice drill, start there — 10 questions tells you where you stand in 5 minutes. Save the full simulator for when you've done 100+ practice questions in a section.

30 minutes of consistent daily study beats 4-hour weekend binges. Spaced repetition only works if there's actually time between sessions. A typical schedule: one practice drill (10 questions, ~10 minutes) + one flashcard session (~10 minutes) + read one structured lesson (~15 minutes). Take a full simulator weekly to gauge readiness.

Every time you miss a question on practice or the simulator, that question ID lands in your 'weak-area pile.' The next time you start a practice drill in that section, ~70% of the questions come from your pile. When you get a previously-missed question right, it comes OFF the pile. As you master your weak areas the pile shrinks; as you discover new weak spots it grows.

On the real REC exam: 90% on Rules of the Road, 70% on Deck General/Safety, 70% on Navigation General, 90% on Chart Plotting. You must pass each module independently. The simulator scores against the same thresholds and gives you a per-module pass/fail.

Yes — every attempt writes to your account history. See your full study log at /captain/history. Per-section last-attempt scores appear as badges on the /captain/exam landing.

Unlimited times. Each attempt re-samples questions from the pool so you don't see the same exam twice in a row.

Your Study Coach can query your actual study data via tools: which sections you've practiced, your mastery scores, your weak-area pile, recent missed questions, time spent. Ask it 'what should I study today?' and it'll give you a data-driven answer based on YOUR record, not generic advice.

Paid captain plans (OUPV / Master / Sailing / Towing / Complete) get unlimited tutor messages. Free accounts get 10 messages/day. There's also a 3-exchange-per-chat conversation cap to keep the coach focused on giving you actionable answers rather than long discussions.

Upload a photo of your hand-plotted chart problem (with parallel ruler, dividers, labeled bearings/distances). The reviewer looks at your plotting technique, label conventions, TVMDC application, and, if you supply the expected answer, your accuracy. Returns a PASS / NEAR PASS / NEEDS REWORK verdict plus specific suggestions.

Shoot directly overhead (top-down). Flatten the chart with binder clips. Dark pencil lines, no glare, good lighting. You don't need the whole chart in frame — just the section with your work.

Daily caps per plan: OUPV / Sailing / Towing = 25 per day. Master = 50. Complete = 100. Cap resets at midnight UTC. The vision call costs more than text, so the per-day budget exists to prevent runaway use.

Plan on 8-12 months total. TSA targets 60 days for TWIC processing. NMC is currently running 8-12 months on credential processing (post the early-2026 shutdown backlog). Course completion adds 6-10 weeks of study time, which you can run in parallel with TWIC. Start TWIC first.

CG-719B (the application), CG-719K (medical), CG-719S (sea service log), CG-719P (drug test or MRO letterhead), TWIC card copy, First Aid + CPR certifications, course completion cert if applicable. Self-study applicants do NOT need a course completion cert — the REC exam pass record serves that purpose.

On Form CG-719S. One form per vessel (or per distinct period of service). A 'day' is 4+ hours underway on vessels under 100 GRT; 8+ hours on vessels 100 GRT and larger. Max one day per 24-hour period. 360 days total minimum, 90 of which must be in the last 3 years. Recreational time counts.

OUPV Six-Pack ($373), Master 100 GRT ($523), Sailing Endorsement ($148), Towing Endorsement ($148), and Captain's Complete ($598) — all 25% off founding-captain pricing. 12 months of access from purchase. Upgrade to Master from OUPV anytime for the price difference. Buy via informedboating.com/captain.

InformedBoating is the storefront. NailTheTest delivers the course. The two products share a provisioning secret so your purchase on IB auto-creates your account on NTT with the right plan. The welcome email contains a one-click sign-in link that lands you here.

Email captain@informedboating.com and we'll send a fresh claim link.

7-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked.