Do I have to take the courses in order?
The TFC is a mandatory requirement before any other courses can be taken. We recommend that you take the remaining courses in order (CC, CS, CDR) however you don’t have to if timings/locations do not suit your schedule. Content is designed to flow from one course to the next and students may struggle to fully understand material if they take courses out of order.

When and where do the courses run?
We aim to run between 8 – 15 GPD courses per year at different locations around the globe. 

Where is the venue?
The venue will be listed at the bottom of the event booking page and will be announced via email if it is unavailable at the time of booking.

Will I get a certificate?
Yes, if you pass the end-of-course exam.

What language is the course in?
GPD courses are only available in English.

How long does it take to complete the GPD programme?
Students usually take between 2 – 3 years to complete the full programme.

Do GPD courses expire?
Yes, GPD courses are only valid for 5 years.

NOTICE: The Trade Foundation Course (TFC) is a mandatory entry-requirement for our other 3 GPD courses: Commodity Contracts, Commodity Shipping, and Commodity Dispute Resolution. This ensures all delegates have a solid grounding in trade basics, English law, Gafta contracts, and other documents and contracts that come into a transaction.

What should I wear?
The dress code for GPD courses is smart casual. Suits are not required.

What should I bring with me?
All students must bring an electronic device – ideally a laptop or tablet – as the course materials will be provided electronically, not on paper.

Is accommodation included in my booking fee?
No, accommodation and travel are not included in any booking fees.

Is food provided?
Yes. Please see the agenda for the course you are attending to see the schedule.

Will I get the slides in advance?
No. Slides are issued to students at the end of each teaching day.

What is the exam like?
The end-of-course exam is a 1-hour paper that is made up of a mixture of 18 – 25 multiple choice and short written questions. Essays do not form part of the assessment.

Who marks my exam?
Gafta marks all exams against the pre-developed mark scheme.

Can I refer to my notes in the exam?
Yes, the end-of-course exam is ‘open book’ and students can use all their notes, course slides etc.

How do I pass the exam?
Each question is directly related to the content that has been covered in the course. You must read each question carefully and apply your knowledge in order to pass.

What is the pass mark?
Students will be issued with a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ only. Students must get 60% or above to pass, but grades will not be issued.

When will I get my result?
Within 2 weeks following the course.

What if I fail the exam?
If you fail the exam, you will be given one further attempt to take the paper. This retake will be online so you will not have to attend Gafta offices. Students who fail both the first exam and the retake paper are deemed to have not understood the material as thoroughly as expected. In this case, delegates are advised to take the course again on another occasion.

Plagiarism
Any student who is found to have copied another student’s exam or retake paper will receive an automatic failing grade. If the first paper is plagiarised, that student may take the retake paper. If the retake paper is found to be copied, then no further attempt will be given and that student will receive a failing grade.

How is the GPD programme structured?
The GPD programme is made up of 4 courses, covering different content areas. Each course is made up of presentations, practical exercises and discussion sessions. There is also networking built into the agenda for each course.

How long is each course?
The TFC is 4 days and the other 3 are 2 days each.

Will I get copies of the slides?
Copies of the slides will be issued electronically at the end of each course day. No hard copies will be given.

Do GPD courses count as my training requirement for the Trade Diploma and/or Arbitrator Diploma exams?
Yes, if you pass all 4 GPD courses and they have been taken within the last 5 years.

Can I do some face-to-face GDP courses and some DLP modules and still take the Trade Diploma or Arbitrator Diploma exams if I pass them all?
No, the DLP and GDP programmes are separate routes to the Trade Diploma. Each is specifically tailored to work as a complete program of learning and although the content is the same overall, modules and courses are structured so differently that they are not interchangeable.