Passing the GARP SCR Exam Without Financial Experience: Here’s How
- Kateryna Myrko
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
The GARP Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) certificate has rapidly become one of the most relevant credentials for professionals seeking to navigate the intersection of climate science, sustainability, and financial risk. And here’s the good news: you can pass it without a finance background. The SCR program is deliberately designed to be accessible, equipping people from environmental science, policy, engineering, sustainability, academia, and other disciplines with the skills to integrate climate considerations into decision-making.
This guide—based on the latest 2025 exam format—will walk you through what to expect, how to prepare, and how to leverage your strengths as a non-finance candidate.
1. An Inclusive Certificate from the Start Passing the GARP SCR Exam Without Financial Experience
GARP has built the SCR exam to be open to professionals of all backgrounds. There is no requirement for prior financial, risk management, or investment experience. This inclusivity reflects the reality that tackling climate and sustainability challenges requires multidisciplinary expertise. Whether your expertise is in policy development, engineering systems, research, or ESG reporting, the SCR curriculum is designed to meet you where you are. Passing the GARP SCR Exam Without Financial Experience
2. The Exam’s Interdisciplinary Scope
As of 2025, the SCR exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and two embedded case studies, with a total duration of four hours. This structure tests not only theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply it in practical, real-world scenarios.
The ten topic areas covered are:
Foundations of Climate Change
Sustainability
Climate Change Risk
Policy, Culture & Governance
Green & Sustainable Finance
Climate Risk Measurement & Management
Climate Models & Scenario Analysis
Net Zero
Climate & Nature Risk Assessment
Transition Planning & Carbon Reporting
While some topics, like green finance or risk measurement, may sound intimidating to those outside finance, they are taught at a conceptual level. The focus is on understanding frameworks, drivers, and impacts rather than mastering complex quantitative models.
3. Study Time: Set Realistic Goals
GARP recommends dedicating 100–150 hours of preparation for the SCR exam. If you have little exposure to finance, it’s wise to aim toward the higher end of that range to ensure you have time to master new terminology and concepts. Spread this over 8–10 weeks for a balanced, less stressful approach.
This breaks down to roughly 10–15 hours per week, allowing you to absorb content while revisiting more challenging areas.
4. Use Official, Targeted Study Resources
When you register for the exam, you’ll receive:
The official SCR eBook (your primary study text)
Access to the GARP Learning platform with interactive modules
A full-length practice exam to simulate test day
A Study Guide outlining specific learning objectives for each topic
These official resources are directly aligned with the latest exam blueprint and are your most reliable preparation tools. Use them as your main foundation before exploring any supplementary material.
5. Leverage Your Strengths from Other Fields
If you don’t have a finance background, you may be surprised at how much you already bring to the table:
Policy professionals are likely familiar with governance frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, TCFD, and climate disclosure regulations.
Scientists and engineers excel at interpreting data, modeling systems, and applying analytical thinking—skills that directly apply to climate scenario analysis.
Sustainability managers already work with ESG frameworks, net zero strategies, and carbon reporting—all central themes in the SCR exam.
These strengths can help you quickly master related sections and give you a unique perspective when approaching case studies.
6. Simplify and Supplement Financial Concepts
For many non-finance candidates, terms like “green bonds,” “ESG integration,” or “credit risk” can be unfamiliar. In the SCR curriculum, these topics are introduced in plain language, focusing on their purpose and role in addressing climate risks.
However, supplementing your study with beginner-friendly finance resources—short videos, webinars, or articles—can help solidify these ideas and boost your confidence. Think of it as learning just enough finance to understand how it intersects with sustainability.
7. Practice Application, Not Memorization
Case studies are a central part of the SCR exam and simulate real-life problem-solving. You might be asked to evaluate a company’s transition plan, assess greenhouse gas (GHG) disclosures, or recommend steps to integrate climate risk into operations.
To prepare:
Simulate the exam: Take full practice tests under timed conditions to build endurance.
Analyze, don’t just recall: Practice interpreting data tables, reading scenario descriptions, and identifying the most effective course of action.
Review your mistakes: Understanding why you got an answer wrong is as important as knowing the right answer.
8. Study Plan for Non-Finance Candidates
Here’s a suggested 10-week roadmap:
Week | Focus Areas | Key Actions |
1–2 | Foundations of Climate Change, Sustainability | Read Chapters 1–3, review learning objectives, create summary notes |
3–4 | Policy, Governance, Green & Sustainable Finance | Use diagrams to map frameworks, focus on terminology |
5–6 | Climate Risk Measurement, Models & Scenario Analysis | Practice interpreting models, connect to real-world events |
7 | Net Zero, Climate & Nature Risk Assessment | Relate to your professional background where possible |
8 | Transition Planning & Carbon Reporting | Work through case study examples, focus on frameworks |
9 | Full Practice Exam | Replicate exam conditions, review performance |
10 | Weak Spot Reinforcement | Revisit challenging topics, refine time management |
Target 120+ total study hours if you’re starting with no finance knowledge.
9. Stay Current and Engaged
The SCR exam includes references to globally recognized frameworks and standards, such as:
TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)
GHG Protocol
IFRS S1/S2 (Sustainability Disclosure Standards)
PCAF (Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials)
SBTi (Science-Based Targets initiative)
TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures)
Following industry news, sustainability reports, and regulatory updates can help you connect theory to current events—something GARP values in candidate responses.
10. Stand Out—Your Perspective is an Asset
In sustainable finance, a diversity of viewpoints is essential. Your non-finance background allows you to bring practical, technical, or policy-driven insights that complement financial risk management approaches. The SCR exam rewards candidates who can integrate knowledge across disciplines, not just those who can calculate metrics.
By approaching the exam as an interdisciplinary challenge, you’ll be able to provide thoughtful, context-rich answers that reflect real-world complexities.
Conclusion
You don’t need a finance degree—or even finance work experience—to pass the GARP SCR exam. The exam is structured to be inclusive, the resources are tailored to newcomers, and your unique expertise can be an advantage.
The keys to success are:
Committing enough study time (100–150 hours)
Using official GARP materials as your foundation
Practicing application through case studies
Supplementing with beginner finance resources only where needed
With the right preparation plan, you’ll not only pass the SCR exam—you’ll position yourself as a professional who bridges disciplines to address one of the most critical challenges of our time.
Unlock your potential with our comprehensive GARP SCR practice exams and study packages!
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