How Hard Is GARP SCR Exam? 47% April 2024 Pass Rate Revealed
- Kateryna Myrko
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
The April 2024 GARP SCR exam sent shockwaves through the climate risk community, delivering the lowest pass rate in the program's history at just 47%. Candidates who walked out of testing centers that spring weren't just disappointed – they were stunned by an exam that felt fundamentally different from anything they'd prepared for. How Hard Is GARP SCR Exam
The Numbers Tell the Story How Hard Is GARP SCR Exam
While SCR pass rates typically hover between 55-66%, April 2024 crashed to 47% – a dramatic departure that caught everyone off guard. The contrast became even starker when October 2024 bounced back to 66%, making April's difficulty spike an anomaly worth examining.
What Candidates Actually Experienced
One frustrated test-taker who sat for both October 2023 and April 2024 sessions said it bluntly: the exam was "not to test understanding, but rather to test memories in text." Another candidate discovered a troubling disconnect: "The exam questions do not accurately reflect the study materials and practice questions. The April 2024 exam was extremely hard."
These weren't isolated complaints. Candidates consistently reported that their preparation materials – including GARP's own practice exams – failed to reflect the actual test experience.
Why April 2024 Hit Different
The Memorization Trap: Unlike previous exams that tested conceptual understanding, April 2024 dove deep into technical minutiae. Candidates needed to recall specific policy details, exact framework components, and precise regulatory language.
Interdisciplinary Complexity: Climate risk questions demanded understanding how "a heatwave in Argentina impacts a textile factory in Bangladesh" or "how government EV subsidies affect mining companies." This systems thinking approach caught many candidates unprepared.
Knowledge Currency Problem: The SCR field evolves rapidly with new research, policy changes, and industry developments. Static textbooks couldn't keep pace with the cutting-edge content that appeared on the exam.
Resource Misalignment: Official GARP materials provided "a basic foundation, but they're often criticized for lacking the depth and practical application needed to truly master the complexities of climate risk."
The Broader Context
This difficulty spike reflects the SCR certification's maturation. With 85% of professionals expecting to need additional SCR knowledge and 95% of firms planning climate risk strategies, the bar for competency is rising fast.
The exam structure itself – 80 multiple-choice questions including case studies within four hours – demands both breadth and depth. April 2024 simply weighted the "depth" component more heavily than candidates anticipated.
What This Means for Future Test-Takers
Go Beyond Official Materials: The April 2024 experience proved that GARP's recommended study resources aren't sufficient. Successful candidates now need current industry reports, regulatory updates, and academic research.
Expect Technical Application: Memorizing definitions won't cut it. Focus on understanding how to apply climate risk frameworks in real-world scenarios.
Increase Study Time: While GARP recommends 100-150 hours, April 2024 survivors likely invested significantly more, especially in technical application areas.
Practice Systems Thinking: Don't just learn individual concepts – understand how climate risks create cascading effects across industries and geographies.
The Silver Lining
The October 2024 rebound to 66% suggests GARP listened to candidate feedback and adjusted accordingly. The organization's responsiveness demonstrates commitment to maintaining rigorous but fair standards.
For professionals entering the climate risk field, the SCR certification remains valuable – perhaps more so given its demonstrated rigor. With only 15% of organizations currently having effective climate strategies, qualified SCR professionals are increasingly in demand.
Bottom Line
April 2024 marked the SCR exam's evolution from a knowledge test to a professional competency assessment. While this raises the bar for entry, it also elevates the credential's value in a market hungry for genuine climate risk expertise.
Future candidates should approach the SCR with respect for its technical demands while recognizing that thorough preparation – extending well beyond official study guides – can still lead to success. The 66% October pass rate proves the exam remains achievable for those who adapt their preparation strategy to match the certification's elevated standards.
Unlock your potential with our comprehensive GARP SCR practice exams and study packages!
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