ABYC Marine Corrosion Certification Exam: free practice test
For technicians and surveyors who diagnose and prevent corrosion. Covers electrochemistry, the galvanic series, galvanic and stray-current corrosion, shore power, metals and coatings, cathodic protection and corrosion surveys, with ABYC E-2, E-11, A-28 and T-1. ABYC strongly recommends holding the Marine Electrical certification first.
Watch the free 4:28 video lesson: the key ABYC Marine Corrosion concepts →
Premium: 3,000 practice questions, 6 full mock exams, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes, topic by topic. See the study path ·
- Lesson 2: Atoms, ions and the electrochemical cellHow oxidation and reduction drive metal loss, with cell diagrams for every exam scenario.
- Lesson 3: Ohm's law and current flow for corrosionConventional versus electron flow, voltage, resistance and current in corrosion circuits.
- Lesson 4: Electrolytes, pH and water resistivityWhy salt, brackish and fresh water change corrosion rates and anode choice.
- Lesson 5: Reading the ABYC galvanic series tableUsing potential ranges to predict which metal corrodes and how fast.
- Lesson 6: Area ratios and galvanic compatibilityWorked examples on fasteners, fittings and dissimilar metals in contact.
- Lesson 7: Stainless steel: passive, active and crevice corrosionOxide films, oxygen starvation, pitting and where stainless fails underwater.
- Lesson 8: Other corrosion types: dezincification, erosion, cavitationRecognising each failure pattern on brass, bronze, propellers and fittings.
- Lesson 9: DC stray current: sources and damageBilge leaks, faulty devices and how fast stray current removes metal.
- Lesson 10: AC shore power and the grounding conductorHow the green wire creates galvanic paths between boats on a dock.
- Lesson 11: Galvanic isolators under ABYC A-28Blocking voltage, fail-safe designs, installation and testing an isolator.
- Lesson 12: Isolation and polarization transformersWhen a transformer replaces an isolator and how its grounding is arranged.
- Lesson 13: ELCI, polarity and neutral-ground faults under E-11Leakage protection, reverse polarity and why neutral never meets ground aboard.
- Lesson 14: Cathodic protection principles under ABYC E-2Sacrificial versus impressed current systems and the minimum protection shift.
- Lesson 15: Choosing and sizing sacrificial anodesZinc, aluminum alloy and magnesium by water type, and placement rules.
- Lesson 16: Impressed current systems and dielectric shieldsControllers, reference cells, anode shielding and avoiding overprotection.
- Lesson 17: Cathodic bonding systems and conductorsConductor sizing, connections, resistance limits and what to leave unbonded.
- Lesson 18: Overprotection: aluminum, paint and wood damageAlkali attack, cathodic disbondment and alkali delignification around fittings.
- Lesson 19: Aluminum boats under ABYC T-1Isolating dissimilar metals, compatible fasteners and hull potential monitoring.
- Lesson 20: Protective coatings and antifouling selectionHow coatings break the cell, and which antifouling paints suit which hulls.
- Lesson 21: Corrosion survey equipment and setupMeters, reference electrodes, placement and getting repeatable readings.
- Lesson 22: Running a survey: sequencing the readingsShore power, AC and DC switching steps that isolate each corrosion source.
- Lesson 23: Interpreting readings against E-2 rangesUnderprotection, overprotection and writing a clear corrosion survey report.
Keep going after the free lesson. Every topic gets its own lesson, plus the full question bank, timed simulations and study tools.
About the ABYC Marine Corrosion exam
For technicians and surveyors who diagnose and prevent corrosion. Covers electrochemistry, the galvanic series, galvanic and stray-current corrosion, shore power, metals and coatings, cathodic protection and corrosion surveys, with ABYC E-2, E-11, A-28 and T-1. ABYC strongly recommends holding the Marine Electrical certification first.
What's on the exam
Each branch is a topic in the official outline. Members see every key fact on the full mind map. Read the free study guide →
How to pass the ABYC Marine Corrosion exam
- 189 questions in 3.5 hours gives you just over 1 minute each, more time per question than Marine Electrical, Systems or Engines and Fuel Systems. Use it on the scenario questions.
- The cut score is 83.6%: you can miss only about 31 questions.
- Most questions come back to one idea: the anode (the more negative metal) corrodes, and current leaving metal into water removes metal. Reason from that before you guess.
- ABYC assumes you know Marine Electrical material (grounding, bonding, galvanic isolators, shore power). Review it if you haven't taken that exam.
Save your results and get your Readiness Score
Create a free account after the test: your score by topic, a mistakes bank, the complete study notes for the first topic, flashcards and the ABYC Numbers & Formulas Sheet.
What's in the premium ABYC Marine Corrosion prep
Premium ABYC Marine Corrosion prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.
Your step-by-step study path
- 1Corrosion Chemistry and Electrical Theory10 key notes, 135 flashcards, then 500 practice questions in 20 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2The Galvanic Series and Galvanic Corrosion10 key notes, 135 flashcards, then 500 practice questions in 20 sets of 25Premium
- 3Stray Current and Shore Power10 key notes, 135 flashcards, then 500 practice questions in 20 sets of 25Premium
- 4Cathodic Protection and Anodes10 key notes, 135 flashcards, then 500 practice questions in 20 sets of 25Premium
- 5Metals, Aluminum Boats and Coatings10 key notes, 130 flashcards, then 500 practice questions in 20 sets of 25Premium
- 6Corrosion Surveys10 key notes, 130 flashcards, then 500 practice questions in 20 sets of 25Premium
- Final step: 6 full mock exams189 questions each, timed like test day. Pass them, then book your exam.Premium
Read the complete ABYC Marine Corrosion study notes for “Corrosion Chemistry and Electrical Theory”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 13 minutes of reading: The corrosion cell · Oxidation and reduction · pH and the electrolyte · Conventional flow and electron flow, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.
Study tools included
3,000 practice questions
3,000 exam-style questions per exam, organized topic by topic in sets of 25. Every answer explained, with the rule it comes from.
6 full mock exams
6 full-length timed mock exams per exam, with real question counts and time limits, so test day feels like practice day.
Exam Readiness Score
One 0 to 100 number that tells you when you're ready to book. Reach 80 and you're covered by our Pass Guarantee.
800 flashcards + spaced repetition
800 flashcards per exam, in a deck for each topic, that come back right before you'd forget them. Five minutes a day keeps every number fresh.
60 comprehensive key notes
60 key notes per exam, split across its topics and each explained in full: the concepts, worked exam examples, the traps examiners use and a quick recap. Your first set is free with an account.
Mind maps
See the whole exam on one screen: every topic and the facts under it.
Sample questions with answers
These are the questions in the free test above, with answers. Try the test first. You'll learn more by getting some wrong.
1. In a galvanic cell made of two different metals in seawater, which electrode corrodes?
2. Under electron-flow theory, in the external circuit electrons move:
3. Which of these metals is the most anodic (least noble) in seawater?
4. Two different metals are electrically connected and immersed in seawater. Which one corrodes faster than it would on its own?
5. Which combination will cause the most severe galvanic attack?
6. Stray-current corrosion takes place at the point where:
7. What does a galvanic isolator do in the shore power grounding conductor?
8. Why does a boat with a properly installed isolation transformer not need a galvanic isolator?
9. Under ABYC E-2, a cathodic protection system must shift the potential of the metal being protected by at least how much in the negative direction?
10. Which reference electrode is normally used to measure hull potentials in seawater under ABYC E-2?
11. Which sacrificial anode material is the usual choice for a boat kept in fresh water?
12. Why should copper-based antifouling paint not be applied to an aluminum hull?
13. Why is overprotection a particular danger for an aluminum hull?
14. A 316 stainless steel shaft shows deep pitting only where it sat in stagnant water under a seal. What type of corrosion is this?
15. During a corrosion survey, why take hull potential readings with the shore power cord both disconnected and connected?
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- One ABYC exam of your choice: any of the 10 certifications, from Marine Electrical to USCG Regulations
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
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- One ABYC exam of your choice: any of the 10 certifications, from Marine Electrical to USCG Regulations
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: numbers and formulas sheet, standards map, study planner and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Certification guide
ABYC certification exam guide (2026): ABYC certification exams are long, all multiple choice and have high cut scores: you need 77.2% to 85% to pass, and 82.5% or more on eight of the 10. This guide covers all 10 current certifications, what they test, how they're delivered and how to prepare. All figures are from the [American Boat & Yacht Council](https://abycinc.org/education/certification-program/proctored-testing/) as of November 2026.
ABYC Marine Corrosion exam FAQ
How many questions are on the ABYC Marine Corrosion exam?
189 multiple-choice questions, with a time limit of 3.5 hours. Format: proctored, computer-based multiple choice; reference-material rules are not stated on the public exam pages, so confirm them when you book.
What is the passing score for ABYC Marine Corrosion?
83.6% (ABYC's published cut score).
How much does the ABYC Marine Corrosion exam cost?
Exam only: US$295 for ABYC members, US$595 for nonmembers, per attempt (2026). Study guide US$85 member / US$175 nonmember. Class fees vary; check ABYC's class calendar. ABYC charges members less than nonmembers, so confirm current fees with ABYC before you book.
Which languages is the ABYC Marine Corrosion exam offered in?
English.
Where do I take the ABYC Marine Corrosion exam?
Online with a remote proctor (webcam, microphone, Chrome, government ID, single monitor), or at the end of an ABYC certification class.
Is this ABYC Marine Corrosion practice test free?
Yes. The 15-question practice test on this page is free, with an explanation for every answer and no signup. A free account also unlocks the complete study notes for the first topic. The full ABYC Marine Corrosion prep is Premium at $147 a month for this exam.
What's in the premium ABYC Marine Corrosion prep?
3,000 practice questions organized topic by topic (Corrosion Chemistry and Electrical Theory: 500; The Galvanic Series and Galvanic Corrosion: 500; Stray Current and Shore Power: 500; Cathodic Protection and Anodes: 500; Metals, Aluminum Boats and Coatings: 500; Corrosion Surveys: 500), 6 full-length timed mock exams of 189 questions, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes split across all 6 topics, plus a mistakes bank and the Readiness Score.
Compare ABYC Marine Corrosion with the other ABYC certifications
Related practice tests
ABYC Marine Electrical Certification Exam
ABYC's most widely held certification.
ABYC Marine Systems Certification Exam
The broadest ABYC certification: fuel, water, sanitation, ventilation, LPG, exhaust, thru-hulls, steering and engine controls, fire protection, air conditioning and basic electrical.
ABYC Marine Engines and Fuel Systems Certification Exam
ABYC's engine certification for gasoline and diesel inboards, outboards, sterndrives and saildrives.
Exam details are summarized from the official candidate information available in November 2026. ABYC changes formats and fees, so confirm with American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) before you book. ABYCExamPrep is not affiliated with the American Boat & Yacht Council.