Adapt it to 7 days
Pair the basic terminology/safety days, combine visual aids with pilotage, and use question scores to decide where to slow down. Keep one longer block for tides and one for chartwork.
14-day revision plan
Day Skipper revision plan, quiz route and checklist
Direct answer
Use this two-week skipper study plan to move through the Day Skipper theory syllabus in manageable sessions. Each day has a clear topic, a suggested time box, and a link to a module, quiz route, or public lesson. Use the plan as a printable checklist, then practice weak areas with the free modules, sample questions, and mock exam.
- Course
- Day Skipper
- Format
- Revision guide, quiz, flashcards, and linked tools
- Review focus
- Use short sessions deliberately and Give difficult topics more than one pass
- Independence
- Independent revision aid; not affiliated with or endorsed by the RYA
Use this two-week skipper study plan to move through the Day Skipper theory syllabus in manageable sessions. Each day has a clear topic, a suggested time box, and a link to a module, quiz route, or public lesson.
Use the plan as a printable checklist, then practice weak areas with the free modules, sample questions, and mock exam.
Study plan
14-day Day Skipper theory revision plan
Day 1 - 45 minNautical terms and boat partsOpen topic
Day 2 - 60 minSafety, distress and equipmentOpen topic
Day 3 - 75 minCOLREGs overview and lookout/riskOpen topic
Day 4 - 75 minWho gives way: Rules 12-18Open topic
Day 5 - 60 minLatitude, longitude, speed and timeOpen topic
Day 6 - 90 minChart distance, bearings and plottingOpen topic
Day 7 - 90 minTidal heights and tidal streamsOpen topic
Day 8 - 75 minBuoyage, pilotage and leading linesOpen topic
Day 9 - 60 minLight characteristics and sectorsOpen topic
Day 10 - 75 minCompass, variation and deviationOpen topic
Day 11 - 90 minCourse to steer and position fixingOpen topic
Day 12 - 75 minWeather, forecasts and Beaufort scaleOpen topic
Day 13 - 60 minRestricted visibility and sound signalsOpen topic
Day 14 - 90 minMixed practice and mini mock reviewOpen topic
Adapt it to 21 days
Split calculation days in two, repeat COLREGs scenarios every few days, and take a mini mock at the end of each week rather than only on the final day.
Use short sessions deliberately
Most days are designed for 45-75 minutes: one focused lesson block, one active recall block, and a short review of mistakes. Longer chartwork and tides days get more time.
- Review weak topics without hunting through a textbook
- Retake module quizzes until the ideas stick
- Use flashcards for terms, lights, shapes, rules, and definitions
Give difficult topics more than one pass
Tides, chartwork, COLREGs, pilotage, and weather appear more than once. That spacing is intentional because these topics usually need repeated retrieval rather than one long cram.
Adapt the plan without making it thin
If you have 7 days, combine paired topics and use questions to triage weak areas. If you have 21 days, split the calculation-heavy days and repeat the mini mock.
Free printables
Send the printable to your inbox
Free printable
Day Skipper theory revision checklist
A printable syllabus and readiness checklist for planning revision, checking weak areas, and preparing for the theory assessment or practical course.
Independent revision aid, not official RYA material.Privacy policy
Free printable
COLREGs lights and shapes quick reference
A visual recognition sheet for common navigation-light arrangements, day shapes, vessel status, and the action that follows identification.
Independent revision aid, not official RYA material.Privacy policy
Common questions
Can I revise Day Skipper theory in 14 days?
Fourteen days can work as a focused revision plan if you already have course notes or prior teaching. It is not a substitute for a recognised course or official assessment.
How long should each revision session be?
Most sessions in this plan are 45-75 minutes. Give tides, chartwork, and mock review longer blocks because calculations and mixed questions need slower checking.
What if I only have 7 days?
Use the same order but pair basics together, shorten reading time, and spend more of each session answering questions. Do not create separate thin plans; adapt the checklist on this page.
Keep exploring
Related Day Skipper revision pages
Practice questions
Try a free 10-question Day Skipper revision quiz with explanations, then continue into mixed practice across chartwork, COLREGs, tides, weather, and navigation.
Mock exam practice
Try a free Day Skipper theory mini mock with explanations, then open the full independent mock exam for mixed chartwork, COLREGs, weather, tides, and navigation practice.
Before practical
Refresh Day Skipper theory before your practical course. Review pilotage, navigation, COLREGs, weather, tides, buoyage, and passage planning.