I think the Study Guide and the Boatsmart site should state that the online course modules and exam are the standard approach to completing the operator card process. I purchased a Study Guide, presuming I could prepare for and complete the exam via a mail in or off line process / procedure. After going through every module and test in the guide I found I wasted $17 and several hours repeating everything on line. If there was a notice of caution in the guide and/ or the online site about the study completion requirements I would have been way less frustrated with this undertaking and not feeling ripped off for time and money.