Seagull CES Test: what it checks and how to prepare
Seafarers often say "I have a Marlins and a CES coming up" in one breath, but these are two very different exams. Marlins checks your English. CES checks whether you know your job. Here is what CES really is and how to walk into it prepared.
What CES is
CES stands for Crew Evaluation System. It is a computer-based knowledge test used by hundreds of shipping companies and manning agencies to check a candidate's professional knowledge against STCW requirements. The test is configured per candidate: your department (deck, engine, electrical, catering), your level (support, operational, management) and often the vessel type (bulk carrier, tanker, container ship, offshore vessel and so on) decide which questions you get.
Format
- Multiple choice, drawn from a bank of several thousand questions.
- Typically 30-80 questions in roughly 45-90 minutes, depending on the profile your agency sets.
- Result is a percentage, often with a breakdown by subject area, which the agency sends to the shipowner.
- Usually taken at the agency office under supervision; remote testing is increasingly common.
One of the modules in the system covers maritime English, so language appears inside CES too, but the dedicated English test at recruitment is normally a separate exam. If that is what you are preparing for, read our Marlins test guide.
What score you need
As with most recruitment tests, there is no universal pass mark: each company decides. Common thresholds sit around 50-70%, while top-tier employers often expect 80-90%. The honest move is to ask your agency directly what the shipowner expects for your rank, then aim comfortably above it.
How to prepare without cheating yourself
The internet is full of "CES answers" collections. Apart from the legal and ethical problems, they fail practically: question sets rotate, and nearly every serious employer follows the test with a technical interview where memorised letters collapse in seconds. What works:
- Review the knowledge for your rank: safety, watchkeeping, cargo work, machinery, regulations, whatever your department and level cover under STCW.
- Practise the format: timed multiple-choice sessions train decision speed and reduce exam stress.
- Fix your English first if it is weak: many candidates fail knowledge questions they would answer correctly in their own language, simply because they misread the question. Start with our free English check.
Frequently asked questions
- Is CES an English test?
- Not mainly. It tests STCW professional knowledge for your rank; English is one module inside a bigger system.
- What score do I need?
- Set by each employer: commonly 50-70%, top companies 80-90%. Ask your agency.
- How many questions?
- Usually 30-80, in 45-90 minutes, matched to your rank, department and vessel type.
- Should I memorise leaked answers?
- No. Sets rotate, interviews verify, and it can cost you the contract. Learn the material; it is not slower with focused practice.
This guide describes the test for information purposes. SeamanEnglish is an independent training site and is not affiliated with Seagull, Marlins or Ocean Technologies Group. Formats and requirements change: always confirm details with your agency.