THE FINAL TEST

Everything you’ve learned comes down to this.

You’ve Reached Survival Master

This is the final practical assessment for Navigation Mastery. There is no quiz to complete here. Instead, you will plan and complete a suitable navigation route that demonstrates your ability to use your skills independently.

You should bring together the techniques you have developed throughout all six levels, from basic map and compass skills through to bearings, checkpoints, route planning, natural features and navigating without relying on GPS.

What You Need to Demonstrate

  • Read and use a walking map
  • Take and follow accurate bearings
  • Use a map and compass together
  • Identify and use navigation checkpoints
  • Recognise natural and terrain features
  • Estimate walking time
  • Use pacing where appropriate
  • Navigate without relying on GPS
  • Check your position regularly
  • Adapt your route when conditions require it
  • Make sensible decisions when navigation becomes uncertain

A phone or GPS device may be carried as an emergency backup, but it should not be used as your primary navigation method during the assessment.

Your Final Assessment

Plan and Complete Your Route

Choose a suitable route that is appropriate for your experience, the people taking part and the current conditions.

Your route must include:

1

Start and finish

Choose and record a clear starting point and finishing point.

2

Five checkpoints

Identify at least five points along the route that you can use to confirm your position.

3

Three bearings

Take and record at least three bearings as part of your navigation.

4

Map and compass navigation

Demonstrate how you use your map and compass together rather than relying on a single navigation method.

5

Natural or terrain feature

Use at least one natural or terrain feature as part of your navigation.

6

Alternative plan

Identify at least one point where you could change your route if conditions, access or terrain make the original plan unsuitable.

7

Time estimate

Calculate an estimated completion time before setting out.

8

Actual route

Record what actually happened, including any changes you made during the assessment.

Evidence

Submit Your Evidence via the social activity wall on your profile page or the main page here. Please use the hashtag #NavigationMaster when submitting results and where possible, provide:

  • A photo or copy of the planned route
  • The five checkpoints
  • The three bearings
  • Your estimated route time
  • A short explanation of your navigation plan
  • Evidence that the route was completed
  • A brief explanation of any changes made during the route
  • A short reflection on what you learned

Safety

Use a route appropriate to your experience and current conditions.

Check the weather and access information before setting out. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

Do not deliberately enter dangerous terrain, severe weather or other hazardous conditions to make the assessment harder.

If conditions become unsuitable, changing the route or turning back is part of good navigation.

How Your Assessment Is Reviewed

This is a practical assessment rather than a written test.

Your evidence will be reviewed to confirm that you have demonstrated the required Navigation Mastery skills and can make sensible navigation decisions independently.

You do not need to complete the route perfectly. The assessment is about demonstrating good planning, navigation, position checking, adaptation and decision-making.

Once your evidence has been reviewed and approved, you can receive the Navigation Master achievement.

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