Is the scuba diving test hard?

Question

I'm going to take a scuba diving course with PADI and i just wanted to know how hard the test is?

thanks, much appreciated

Answer 1

I got my Open Water Certification through NAUI and I've heard that it is way easier than PADI's test.  However, I got my Advanced Certification through PADI and I thought it was fairly easy as long as you read the study book and know how to use your dive tables!!!!!!!

Answer 2

i took it when i was 12 and passed with flying colors. the writing wasn't hard and just make sure you are a good swimmer other than that it should be easy and fun how u pass  

Answer 3

The class is tailored to you, and will move at your speed.  PADI instructors are great, and they will help you through it.

Even if you do find anything hard, they won't fail you unless they feel you have no hope of mastering it, which is unlikely.  Just have fun and don't stress over the tests.  Study what they give you and practice snorkeling.

Answer 4

I am a assistant instructor and the test is not hard because they tell you all you have to know. know how to use your tables correctly, also if you took a course that has 20-40 hours of study with pool you will have mastered the basics, if you took a short course then study your book

Answer 5

It's not difficult at all. Your in class work will consist of watching training videos and reading your manual. There are several open book quizzes to complete and anything you don't understand will be gone over again until you get it. I've never heard of anyone failing the academics portion since the final exam is based only on what's been covered in class. If you managed the quizzes and read the manual ( an easy to understand read), you can do the exam. As for the dive table portion of the course, many shops are using the ERDP these days, it's as easy as using a calculator. In any event, using the RDP ( old style flip chart recreational dive planner) is easy once you understand the steps involved and takes next to no math skills beyond grade 6.

The pool portion of the course is a prep and a place to practise some basic skills.Things like taking off your mask and replacing it, taking off your rig and putting it back on,breathing in a free flow, figuring out how to get your buoyancy right, swimming a length with no mask and breathing through your reg and some others. You'll also have a swim assessment that consists of an unaided swim using whatever stroke you're comfortable ( not timed and you can even use the doggy paddle if you want) with and a short tread water. If you can swim, you'll easily do this.

Your open water portion is not really a "test", it's more of a check list. The skills learned in the pool you will have to perform in an open water environment.  

Answer 6

with padi dive tables aren't necessarily key but they do help. It really depends on where you do your cert dive on how hard it is. I did mine in the open ocean which can be more difficult than a fresh water dive.