While at sea we have to do a handful of projects. For engineers, their projects are graded on the work they do while aboard the ship. So except for a short test about the basics of the deck side, engineers don't have any sea year exams. For deckies, The work done at sea is for the most part a study guide that is used for the tests taken when we return to school. On average the work done at sea is only 30-40% of the actual grade on the project. The rest of the grade is determined by the sea year exams we take when we return from sea. So long story short, as a deckie, you can do amazing on the sea projects while at sea, but if you fail the tests you have a high chance of failing the project.