GP Rating Course Syllabus 2026
If you plan to join the Merchant Navy through the GP Rating Course, the first thing you need to do is prepare your syllabus. Many students get ready for the GP Rating Course without knowing the syllabus and end up studying random topics. This lowers their chances of being chosen by top shipping companies. The good news is that you don’t need to focus on advanced subjects for most GP Rating entrance exams. Your preparation should mainly include Mathematics, English, Aptitude/Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Geography, depending on the college or shipping company giving the test.
Subject | Important Topics |
English | Grammar, Tenses, Voice, Articles, Passage Reading, Letter & Paragraph Writing |
Mathematics | Number System, Percentage, Ratio, Average, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Profit & Loss, Time & Work |
Logical Reasoning | Age, Blood Relations, Probability, Speed-Distance-Time, Pipes & Cisterns |
General Knowledge | Sports, Awards, Ports, Oceans, Canals, Straits, States & Capitals, Boats & Streams |
If you don’t have much time for preparation, instead of studying all the topics at random, begin with the basics in Mathematics and English, then proceed to the ones on reasoning and General Knowledge.
GP Rating Course Syllabus for English
English is one of the four main areas you need to prepare for the GP Rating entrance exam. The syllabus covers basic grammar as well as writing and reading skills.
English Syllabus
- Nouns
- Pronouns
- Articles
- Adjectives
- Adverbs
- Tenses
- Active and Passive Voice
- Conjunctions
- Prepositions
- Modal Verbs
- Passage Reading
- Letter Writing
- Paragraph Writing
What Should You Focus on First?
If your knowledge of English is poor, then do not begin by learning difficult vocabulary; instead, first make certain that you understand nouns, pronouns, articles, tenses, prepositions, and conjunctions.
Next, you should practice reading passages and answer the questions that are based on sentences. Since letter writing and paragraph writing are specifically listed in the syllabus, these writing topics should also be gone over.
A simple method of preparation is to study English for 30 to 45 minutes each day rather than attempting to cover the whole subject in a single session.
GP Rating Course Syllabus for Mathematics
Since the syllabus for mathematics is quite extensive, students have a good chance of becoming overwhelmed. The advantage is that it’s not necessary to tackle all the topics at the same time.
The syllabus includes:
- Average
- Number System
- Prime, odd and even numbers
- Rational and irrational numbers
- Decimals
- Ratio and Proportion
- Percentage
- Profit and Loss
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Work and Time
- Speed, Distance and Time
- Pipe and Cistern
- Age
- Linear Equations
- Quadratic Equations
- Polynomials and their equations
- Arithmetic Progression
- Geometric Progression
- Triangles
- Perimeter and Area of Triangle
- Surface Area and Volume
- Circle and Tangent
- Height and Distance
- Trigonometry
- Linear Equation of a Straight Line
Which Maths Topics Should You Study First?
Don’t start with Trigonometry or Quadratic Equations just because they look more difficult.
Build your basics first.
Start with these:
- Number System
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Profit and Loss
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Work and Time
- Speed, Distance and Time
Once these are comfortable, move towards algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
The most important thing here is practice. Reading formulas won’t be enough. You need to solve questions repeatedly so that you can recognise the method quickly during the entrance test.
Table of Contents
GP Rating Course Syllabus for Logical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning tests how fast you can figure out what is going on and get the answer. For Logical Reasoning, you do not need to remember a lot of ideas. Logical Reasoning is more about doing lots of practice, which is really important for Logical Reasoning
The syllabus provided for GP Rating preparation includes:
- Age
- Blood Relations
- Probability
- Speed, Distance and Time
- Pipe and Cistern
- Boat and Stream
Some of these topics are related to Mathematics, which’s really useful. For example, when you understand Speed, Distance and Time, you will find that Boat and Stream questions are not that hard to figure out. Boat and Stream questions become easier to understand when you know about Speed, Distance and Time.
GP Rating Course Syllabus for General Knowledge
General Knowledge is the shortest section in the syllabus, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
The syllabus includes:
- Sports
- Awards
- National Ports
- International Ports
- Oceans
- Canals
- Straits
- States and Capitals
- Boats and Streams
The ports, oceans, canals, and straits portion deserves special attention because it is important for the future and is also asked in the interview.
GP Rating Syllabus Preparation Strategy
Knowing the syllabus is the first step. The bigger question is how you should prepare for the exam. Here is a simple way to study that works better than solving questions all day.
Step 1: Finish the Basics
You should start with the basics of each subject. For example, if you do not understand percentages, do not jump directly into mixed questions. The basics of each subject are very important.
Step 2: Study Topic by Topic
You should complete one topic. Then solve questions from that topic right away. This makes it much easier to see where you are struggling with the subject. You will know what you need to work on.
Step 3: Start Mixed Practice
Once you have completed topics, you should stop solving only chapter-wise questions and try to solve mixed questions. This is important because in the exam you will not know what topic the question is from. It could be from Percentage or Ratio or Profit and Loss.
Step 4: Use a Timer
This is something that students often forget to do. Knowing the answer is not enough if you take a long time to get it. You should start solving questions with a timer once you have an understanding of the basics.
Step 5: Analyse Your Mistakes
You should not just look at your score after a test and then move on. You should look at every question that you got wrong. Look at the exam questions that you did not answer correctly and try to understand what you did wrong. This will help you to prepare for the exam.
GP Rating Eligibility Calculator
Honestly, all these criteria seem a bit confusing and overwhelming. To make it easier, we have designed a GP Rating Course Eligibility Calculator, which will tell you the colleges you should aim for and also tell you how to prepare for the GP Rating online test for these colleges.
To check GP Rating Course Eligibility: click here
To give a kick-start to your career and solidify your preparation for GP Rating, you need guidance. Here, at SMVD Marine Academy, we identify the weak points of each candidate and work on them, be it English Speaking, aptitude, general knowledge, or confidence building. We aim to guide students who are really motivated to join the GP Rating. If you are serious about joining the Merchant Navy, then connect with us through SMVD Marine Academy.
To learn about which GP Rating Colleges you are eligible for, download our free Merchant Navy Decoded App that will guide you from your eligibility to the point of your selection in the Merchant Navy. Don’t just read; start preparing to make your dreams a reality.
GP Rating FAQ
The main subjects are English, Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge. The syllabus covers topics ranging from basic grammar and arithmetic to reasoning, ports, oceans, canals, straits, sports, and awards.
Don’t ignore any subject. However, Mathematics and English have a relatively broad syllabus and should be given regular preparation time.
The syllabus contains topics from basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Students with clear fundamentals and enough practice should be able to handle it.
Yes, English is one of the subjects included in the syllabus. Grammar, passage reading, letter writing, and paragraph writing are among the listed topics.