GP Rating Entrance Exam 2026
If you are looking to join the Merchant Navy via the GP Rating Course, then clearing the entrance exam is the first step you will take to achieve your dream. However, many students get confused about the questions asked in the GP Rating Entrance Exam and Online Tests, and prepare topics that are not necessary for the exam. The important thing to understand is that the entrance or selection process may differ from one training institute or shipping company to another. Some institutes have their own online tests, but in the case of sponsorship selections, there may be a separate examination and interview process.
So let’s check the GP Rating Entrance Exam syllabus, exam pattern, subjects, types of questions, preparation strategy, online tests, and what happens after you clear the exam.
What is the GP Rating Entrance Exam?
The GP Rating Entrance Exam is a test conducted by GP Rating Colleges or shipping companies to test candidates before admission or selection. It is generally a test of whether a student has the basic academic subject knowledge, aptitude, English skills, and reasoning ability required for the next stage of the selection process.
But don’t expect advanced engineering questions right now. The level and topics depend on the college. So, candidates must always refer to the specific test pattern of the college they are applying for.
Is There a Common GP Rating Entrance Exam?
There is no common entrance exam like IMU CET for everyeach and every GP Rating student to appear, as in the case of courses like DNS or B.Sc. Most of the colleges for GP Rating and shipping companies have their own entrance tests or selection exams to verify whether the candidate is suitable for the course. Therefore, the exam pattern, subjects, difficulty level, eligibility criteria, and selection process may be different for different institutes. Some colleges may conduct an online test followed by an interview, while some may have their own written test or additional selection rounds.
So, if you are preparing for GP Rating admission, don’t just rely on one common syllabus. First, check the syllabus of your particular college and the selection criteria of the shipping company you want to apply to.
Table of Contents
Who Conducts the GP Rating Entrance Exam?
he GP Rating Colleges mostly conduct the entrance or selection test. It is the first step that you have to clear to appear for the GP Rating Interview. Each college has its own criteria, marking schemes, and questions. That’s why the number of questions, the time you have, the topics, and the difficulty can vary.
The best way is to prepare common subjects first and then practice as per the specific test pattern of the college or company you are targeting.
GP Rating Entrance Exam Pattern
There is no single pattern that applies to every GP Rating entrance test. However, candidates should be prepared for questions from areas such as:
Subject | What to Prepare |
Mathematics | Basic arithmetic and calculations |
English | Grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension |
Reasoning | Logical and aptitude-based questions |
General Knowledge | Basic GK and current awareness |
Science/Technical | Basic concepts, where applicable |
Before appearing for the test, check whether your particular college or shipping company has provided a separate syllabus or examination pattern.
GP Rating Entrance Exam Syllabus
Mathematics
You should focus mainly on your basic school-level mathematics rather than advanced topics. Important areas include:
- Percentage
- Ratio and proportion
- Average
- Profit and loss
- Time, speed and distance
- Basic algebra
- Simple calculations
The main aim should be to improve both accuracy and speed, because knowing the formula is not enough if you take too long to solve a question.
English
English is important not only for the entrance test but also for working in the maritime industry. Prepare topics such as:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Sentence correction
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Reading comprehension
- Basic sentence formation
If your English basics are weak, spend some time improving them before jumping directly into mock tests.
Reasoning and Aptitude
Reasoning questions are generally designed to check how quickly you can identify a pattern or solve a simple logical problem.
Prepare topics such as:
- Number series
- Analogy
- Coding-decoding
- Classification
- Logical reasoning
- Basic aptitude
General Knowledge
You should have a basic understanding of general knowledge and current affairs. It is also useful to know some basic information about the Merchant Navy, ships, maritime terms, and the different departments onboard.
Science and Technical Questions
Some selection tests may include basic science or technical questions, depending on the institute or company. Students should therefore revise fundamental concepts from their school-level Science subjects rather than preparing for advanced engineering topics.
GP Rating Online Test
The Online GP Rating Test is generally carried out by the college as part of its selection procedure, and the candidate will be given a test link or told what to do after having submitted their application and satisfied the initial eligibility criteria.
Since online tests are generally time-limited, it can make a great difference to practise on a computer with a timer attached.
Most students are worried about one thing: “What exactly will they ask me?”
The answer depends on the college or company, but you should be prepared for basic objective-type questions.
Technical GP Rating Interview Questions
- How does a ship move forward?
- How many continents are there in the world?
- What is the Pythagorean theorem?
- What is RADAR, and what is its purpose on a ship?
- What is a rudder, and what is its function on a ship?
- What are the Seven Sister States of India?
Non-Interview Questions
- What is your name, and what does your name mean?
- Who told you about the Merchant Navy?
- What is your father’s profession?
- Are you comfortable following strict discipline and instructions?
- Why do you want to join the Merchant Navy?
- What do you know about the life of a seafarer?
The important thing is not to prepare only by memorising answers. Understanding the basic concepts will help you handle questions you have not seen before.
How to Prepare for GP Rating Entrance Exam
You don’t need an extremely complicated study plan. Start with the basics and gradually increase your practice.
- Revise Class 10 Mathematics
Focus on calculations, percentages, ratios, averages, and other basic topics. - Work on English every day
Spend some time on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. - Practice reasoning questions
Start with easy questions and gradually increase the difficulty. - Take timed mock tests
This helps you improve both speed and accuracy. - Learn from your mistakes
Don’t just check your score after a mock test. Go back to the questions you got wrong and understand why.
Even after that, many people could not manage to clear the GP Rating Entrance exam, not because they lack preparation but just because they lack guidance. To get into the best GP Rating College on your first try, connect with SMVD Marine Academy.
Important Topics to Prepare
If you have limited time, start with these topics:
Subject | Priority Topics |
Mathematics | Percentage, Ratio, Average, Profit & Loss |
English | Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension |
Reasoning | Series, Analogy, Coding-Decoding |
GK | General Science, Current Affairs, Maritime Basics |
Once these topics are comfortable, move towards full-length practice tests.
What Happens After the GP Rating Entrance Exam?
Clearing the entrance test is not necessarily the final step. Depending on the college or company, you may have to go through additional stages such as:
Entrance/Online Test
Interview
Medical Examination
Document Verification
Admission
Some shipping-company sponsorship routes can have additional selection stages. So don’t stop preparing immediately after the written test. Your interview and medical fitness can also play an important role in the final selection.
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 .
Join GP Rating With SMVD Marine Academy
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.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Preparing only Mathematics and ignoring English.
- Studying difficult topics instead of strengthening basic concepts.
- Practising questions without using a timer.
- Depending completely on memorised answers.
- Not checking the specific test pattern of the college or shipping company.
- Starting preparation only a few days before the examination.
GP Rating FAQ
The syllabus for the GP Rating Entrance Exam depends on the college, but some common topics are profit, percentage, synonyms, general knowledge, and current affairs.
Negative marking in the GP Rating entrance exam depends on the college; for that, you have to check the marking scheme of your particular college.
For the best preparation for the GP Rating Exam, check out SMVD Marine Academy, where we will guide you through the complete process of GP Rating.
Clearing the written exam is only the first step in joining the best GP Rating College; after that, you still have to appear for the GP Rating interview, psychometric test, and DG Shipping Medical Exam.