How Closely Does the GARP SCR Exam Match the Official Curriculum?
- Kateryna Myrko
- Sep 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 6
One of the most critical questions candidates face when preparing for the GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) exam is whether the actual test questions align with the official study materials. With over 16,000 candidates having registered for the exam since its inception and more than 7,000 professionals now holding the SCR title, understanding this alignment is crucial for effective preparation and success.
The Official Curriculum Structure
What GARP Promises How Closely Does the GARP SCR Exam Match the Official Curriculum
GARP maintains that their curriculum and exam are carefully aligned. The official SCR curriculum includes several key components designed to ensure comprehensive coverage:
Core Study Materials:
Official SCR Exam Book with 10 chapters and associated learning objectives
Required online readings that are explicitly stated to be covered on the exam
SCR Study Guide and Learning Objectives document that summarizes chapters and lists required readings How Closely Does the GARP SCR Exam Match the Official Curriculum
Full-length practice exam included with registration
Curriculum Maintenance: GARP strives to maintain best-in-class curriculum and associated study materials. The organization reviews the curriculum annually, with revisions made and new study materials released December 1 for the following calendar year. This regular updating process aims to ensure relevance and accuracy in the rapidly evolving field of climate risk.
The Learning Objectives Framework
The SCR Certificate Study Guide sets forth primary topics and readings for exam preparation, summarizing chapters from the SCR Book and listing the number of exam questions per chapter and associated learning objectives. This document is designed to help candidates self-study effectively and provides a roadmap for what will be tested.
The Reality: Candidate Experiences
Mixed Feedback from Recent Examinees
Recent candidate feedback reveals a complex picture regarding curriculum alignment. The experiences vary significantly, with some candidates reporting substantial gaps between study materials and actual exam questions.
April 2024 Candidate Feedback: One candidate who took the April 2024 exam reported being "dismayed to discover that the exam questions do not accurately reflect the study materials and practice questions." They specifically noted that the practice exam offered through the online portal did not prepare them for the actual exam experience, describing the questions as "so far different from what you read and practice."
Memorization vs. Understanding: Another candidate who attempted the exam in both October 2023 and April 2024 expressed frustration, stating that "the exam is really not to test the understanding, it rather to test memories in text." This suggests that the exam may focus on specific details rather than conceptual understanding.
The Challenge of Limited Practice Materials
A significant concern raised by candidates is the limited availability of representative practice questions. As one candidate noted, "Other than the 10 questions provided by GARP SCR's program as practice questions, there isn't much of a SCR question bank or mock exam product." However, they also mentioned that "the material is quite qualitative, and the exam is a fair representation of the reading material."
GARP's Position on Curriculum Alignment
Official Stance
GARP maintains that the exam covers all material from the official curriculum. The organization explicitly states that "all material will be covered on the SCR Exam, in addition to the chapters appearing in the SCR Certificate book." This includes both the core textbook content and the required online readings.
Quality Assurance Measures:
GARP pursues all errata submissions and posts updated corrections regularly
The curriculum is developed by world-class advisory committees comprised of senior risk practitioners, climate experts, and sustainability professionals
Annual curriculum reviews ensure content remains current and relevant
The Practice Exam Disclaimer
Importantly, GARP notes that the practice questions in their learning platform are "not representative of actual SCR Exam questions" but rather coincide with each curriculum chapter. This disclaimer suggests that candidates should not expect the actual exam to mirror the practice questions exactly.
Current Exam Structure and Content Focus
2025 Exam Format
The SCR exam consists of 80 equally weighted multiple-choice questions, including one case study, with candidates allotted four hours to complete the exam. The exam is designed to test both analytical thinking and practical application across a broad range of topics.
Key Focus Areas for 2025:
Climate change science and environmental impacts
Climate risk management frameworks
Sustainable finance and investing
Integration of sustainability into risk management practices
Transition planning and nature risk assessment
Carbon accounting and reporting standards
Question Types and Approach
The exam emphasizes application-based and analytical questions focused on real-world climate risk scenarios. Questions are designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and practical application, requiring candidates to apply concepts in realistic business contexts.
Strategies for Navigating Potential Misalignment
Comprehensive Preparation Approach
Given the mixed feedback about curriculum alignment, successful candidates recommend a multi-faceted preparation strategy:
Beyond the Official Materials: While the official curriculum remains the foundation, candidates increasingly supplement their studies with additional resources. Third-party study materials can provide different perspectives on the same concepts and offer additional practice opportunities.
Focus on Learning Objectives: The SCR Study Guide and Learning Objectives document should be referenced regularly during exam preparation. Successful candidates emphasize the importance of ensuring complete coverage of all stated learning objectives rather than just reading through the materials.
Deep Understanding vs. Memorization
Rather than focusing solely on memorizing text, candidates should strive for conceptual understanding. The exam appears to test the ability to apply climate risk principles in various scenarios rather than recall specific facts.
Practical Application: Given that the exam includes case studies and scenario-based questions, candidates should practice applying theoretical concepts to real-world situations. This includes understanding how climate risk principles would be implemented in different organizational contexts.
Recommendations for Success
Strategic Study Planning
To maximize chances of success despite potential curriculum alignment challenges:
Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure thorough study of all official materials, including both the core textbook and required online readings. The organization explicitly states that all materials will be covered on the exam.
Multiple Perspectives: Consider supplementing official materials with industry publications, case studies, and third-party study resources to gain different perspectives on the same concepts.
Practice and Application: Seek out additional practice questions and case studies beyond the limited official practice materials. Focus on understanding how concepts apply in real-world scenarios.
Managing Expectations
While some candidates have reported misalignment between study materials and exam questions, others have found the exam to be a fair representation of the curriculum. Success appears to depend largely on the depth and breadth of preparation rather than relying solely on the official materials.
Conclusion
The relationship between the GARP SCR exam and its official curriculum is complex and evolving. While GARP maintains that the exam covers all curriculum materials, candidate experiences suggest that success requires going beyond surface-level study of the official materials. The exam appears to test deep understanding and practical application rather than simple memorization.
For candidates preparing for the 2025 exam, the key to success lies in comprehensive preparation that includes thorough study of all official materials, supplementary resources for broader perspective, and extensive practice with application-based scenarios. Understanding that the exam tests conceptual mastery and practical application—rather than mere familiarity with the text—will help candidates prepare more effectively for this challenging but valuable certification.
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