Here's the excerpt from the NMC Guidance
Document that denotes the regulations for how the Flashing Light Assessment is to be given
• Assessments of competence (final examinations) may be sent at the
rate of four (4) words per minute or higher. Use of “long spaces” between letters is permissible.
• Final Assessment should consist of two sections; a Random Letter
Group section, and an International Code Of Signals (Pub. 102) Code Group section.
The Random Letter Group section may consist of the signal identity “DE”
followed by a four (4) letter identity signal or name, sent once. This is followed by five (5) random, three letter groups,
each of which is transmitted twice.
The ending signal (AR) indicates the end of the five (5) three letter groups.
Five points are given for each correct letter in a group for a possible maximum total of 75 points (15 letters x 5 points
each = 75 points).
The International Code Of Signals (Pub. 102) Code Group consists of the
signal identity “DE” followed by a four (4) letter identity signal or name, sent once. “YU” is then
sent (once) indicating that a Code Group follows, after which five (5) code groups are sent, each of which are transmitted
twice.
The ending signal (AR) indicates the end of the five (5) letter groups.
Each correctly decoded group is worth five points for a total of 25 points (5 code groups decoded correctly x 5 points each
= 25 points).
The practice of recording all random letter groups and all code groups,
will continue to be entered on the applicant’s answer sheet in the exact order as transmitted.
As in the past, any group where the letters are misarranged will cause that
group to be found in error. Minimum acceptable score for the entire exam is 70%.
• Students may copy the single or multiple letter groups by dot and
dash character on scrap paper during transmission. After transmission is completed, the student should be allowed up to one
(1) hour to decipher the five code groups using Pub. 102, and transfer the results onto the answer sheet.
• Signals may be sent either by a tape recorder/light configuration,
or computer software. Schools wishing to use computer software should submit a copy of the software to the National Maritime
Center for evaluation.
• Alternative methods of demonstrating
competency in visual communications may be submitted to the National Maritime Center for evaluation
