Is the GARP SCR Exam Getting Harder? October 2025 Analysis
- Kateryna Myrko
- Aug 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 6
The Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) has quickly become the leading credential for those seeking expertise at the intersection of risk management and climate change. Every exam cycle, candidates ask: Is the GARP SCR Exam getting harder?
With the October 2025 window approaching (October 18–November 1, 2025), now is the time to look closely at official pass rates, structural and syllabus changes, case study difficulty, and the evolving demands of climate risk management in the industry.
1. Exam Difficulty: Official Pass Rates and Trends
Understanding exam difficulty starts with objective data:
Exam Session | Pass Rate |
October 2022 | 51% |
April 2023 | 57% |
October 2023 | 55% |
April 2024 | 47% |
October 2024 | 66% |
The April 2024 session saw the lowest pass rate ever (47%)—sparking concerns that the SCR exam was getting harder. However, October 2024 rebounded strongly to 66%, the highest on record. This variation signals that difficulty is influenced by more than just question style: preparation habits, curriculum updates, case study types, and candidate professionalism all play a role.
Key Takeaway Is the GARP SCR Exam Getting Harder October 2025
The GARP SCR exam remains moderately difficult, challenging candidates’ understanding, practical application, and time management. The surge to a 66% pass rate in October 2024 suggests the right strategy and thorough preparation still lead to success. Is the GARP SCR Exam Getting Harder October 2025
2. Exam Structure in October 2025: What Has (and Hasn’t) Changed
For October 2025, the SCR exam keeps its hallmark four-hour window, with 90 multiple-choice questions—including two detailed case studies—covering both theory and application.
Exam Features:
Total Questions: 80 (multiple-choice)
Duration: 4 hours, computer-based
No negative marking
Scoring: Pass/fail basis, with performance feedback by topics
Venues: Pearson VUE centers and online proctoring
GARP’s scoring process is rigorous and benchmarked against global best practices. Each cycle, the SCR Advisory Committee reviews results, adjusting the passing score if exams are found to be unusually challenging.
3. Syllabus Changes: 2025 Updates and Impact on Difficulty
The SCR syllabus is updated annually, usually every April, reflecting the latest climate science, regulations, and market best practices. The 2025 edition continues a trend toward deeper integration of:
Real-world regulatory frameworks (e.g., revised ISSB/IFRS S2, EU Taxonomy, TCFD updates)
Carbon markets, transition finance, and net zero strategies
Physical and transition risk scenario analysis
Climate and nature risk (biodiversity, TNFD)
More advanced climate modeling and risk measurement
What’s New?
Increased focus: Chapters on scenario analysis, transition planning, and nature risk are now critical. Students report “unexpected depth” in climate modeling and policy analysis.
Required readings: There is more direct testing of GHG Protocol, SBTi guidelines, and TCFD/ISSB material, requiring more than a surface reread.
Case studies: Now often feature new disclosure frameworks or regional regulatory shocks, reflecting the speed of climate policy change in the real world.
Bottom Line: The syllabus is evolving, not just expanding—requiring up-to-date knowledge, especially on regulatory developments, and reflecting industry demand for practical, actionable climate risk expertise.
4. Candidate Feedback: What Feels Harder Now?
Based on 2025 candidate and instructor reports, several challenges stand out:
Case Studies: Candidates struggle with scenario-based problem-solving—especially applying frameworks to ambiguous data. These questions increasingly simulate day-to-day ESG/risk management.
Time Pressure: Many note that managing 90 questions (with two cases) in 4 hours is mentally exhausting, particularly as case studies have grown in length and detail. If you misallocate time, you risk rushing the final sections.
Application Over Memorization: The SCR increasingly rewards those who know how and when to apply theory, not just definitions. Candidates who skim official Learning Objectives or skip practice tests often fail to adapt.
Breadth of Material: The depth required in some sections (e.g., scenario modeling) can catch out candidates who rely solely on the official eBook or try to cram all study into the last month.
5. Official Guidance: How GARP Addresses Exam Difficulty
Minimum Passing Score
GARP does not publish the actual pass mark. The minimum passing score (MPS) is set following psychometric review after each sitting, considering exam difficulty and candidate performance. This ensures fairness even if a particular sitting turns out harder than intended.
Candidate Preparation
GARP officially recommends 100–150 hours of preparation, and all evidence suggests this is realistic for
most people. Candidates using only end-of-chapter questions or attempting to “game” the exam are at a disadvantage—integrated understanding and practice with scenario/case approaches are essential.
Performance Reports
All candidates receive performance breakdowns by module. This transparency allows you to see where you were strong or weak; repeated poor performance in a section generally means you need to revisit the official Learning Objectives and required readings.
6. Is the GARP SCR Exam Getting Harder? A Balanced Conclusion
The Evidence
Yes, the GARP SCR exam is evolving, and in some ways, getting harder for unprepared candidates:
Syllabus is updated annually to reflect the latest science, regulation, and finance
Case studies and scenario analysis questions are growing in length and require higher-level thinking
Direct application of frameworks is now essential—not just theory or definitions
Official readings are not “optional”—material is drawn directly from these documents
However, for well-prepared candidates:
The 66% pass rate in October 2024 proves that success is achievable
The core exam structure is stable, providing predictability for planners
Official guidance, learning objectives, and full-length practice exams are better aligned with actual exam demands—and candidates who use them thoroughly tend to pass
7. Winning Strategies for the October 2025 Window
Start Early: Ten to twelve weeks of consistent study is ideal. Skimming in the final month is rarely enough if you lack prior exposure.
Cover All Learning Objectives: Download the Learning Objectives document from the GARP site. These outline the exact level of understanding needed.
Follow the Curriculum Sequencing: Prioritize high-yield chapters (e.g., Climate Risk Measurement, Scenario Analysis) but do not skip lower-yield topics, as surprises are common.
Master Case Studies: Practice scenario-based questions and read real-world regulatory case studies (e.g., TCFD, ISSB, Net Zero plans).
Take Timed Mock Exams: Build exam stamina and time management. Time pressure remains a major differentiator.
Engage With Official and Third-Party Resources: GARP’s platform, official eBook, and third-party materials (video lessons, summary notes) all help diversify perspective.
Be Up to Date: Track the latest regulatory frameworks and market standards via GARP news, ISSB, TCFD, and SBTi updates.
8. Career Implications: Why the Challenge Is Worth It
SCR-certified professionals are in increasing demand, as firms must now quantify and disclose climate risk amid strict new regulatory environments (e.g., SEC, EBA, global ISSB rollout). The evolving difficulty of the SCR reflects real job requirements: analytical prowess, ability to respond to fast-moving regulation, and market awareness.
Final Thoughts
The October 2025 GARP SCR exam is not simply harder; it is more authentic—demanding the multidisciplinary mindset, regulatory fluency, and practical problem-solving skill that define future climate risk leaders. If you underestimate its complexity, especially in scenario analysis and practical application, you risk being left behind.
However, with smart preparation, discipline, and the right resources, the SCR is absolutely within reach for focused candidates—and passing it sets you apart in the fast-evolving world of sustainable finance and risk management.
Unlock your potential with our comprehensive GARP SCR practice exams and study packages!
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