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.
If I haven’t paid on the day the course starts, will I be allowed in?
No, your registration fee must be paid before the first day of the course.
I can’t see the exact venue for the course, where will it be?
Gafta will confirm a venue for the course at least 4 weeks before the course begins. Until then, the host city will be displayed.
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.
What should I wear?
The dress code for GPD courses is smart casual. Suits are not required.
Programme and timings
Each day of training runs from approx. 0900 – 1700, although there will be variations. A full programme will be uploaded to the course page on the events calendar as soon as it is available. Please see the sample agenda on the course information page if no full agenda is available.
Can I leave early?
Students are free to leave at any time, although they should note that early departure may negatively affect their ability to answer the exam questions.
Will there be food?
Yes. Light refreshments will be provided throughout the day, plus a substantial lunch. Networking drinks are provided at the end of the first day of all courses and students on the TFC will receive 2 additional networking dinners.
How long is the exam?
1 hour
Can I leave before the 1 hour is finished?
Yes, if you have finished your paper and are happy with it, you can hand it in to a member of Gafta staff
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.
When will I get my result?
Within 2 weeks following the course.
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.
Can I see my paper?
No, students are not permitted to remove exam papers or view their own after completion.
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.
I don’t agree that I have failed my exam, what can I do?
GPD exam questions are developed to have exact answers and/or very specific items that need to be referred to in students’ answers. As there are clear ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answers there is no room for interpretation within the mark scheme and all pass/fail grades are final.
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 long do I have to submit my retake paper?
5 days from when the paper was issued.
Who will the speakers be?
Speakers on GPD courses are Gafta’s internal experts plus Gafta member law forms and/or Gafta Arbitrators. If a course is sponsored, then the sponsoring firm will deliver a minimum of 50% of the content.
How will content be delivered?
Sessions will consist mainly of presentations and group case studies, with some discussion sessions.
When will I get my certificate?
If you have passed your exam, your certificate will be issued within 1 week of the exam being marked.
Who to contact
For all GPD queries, email events@gafta.com
If you would like to give feedback or are unhappy with your experience of the GPD, please email
events@gafta.com.
Your message will be reviewed and responded to within 72 hours.
Should your query not be resolved within this first communication, it will be escalated to the Head of
Training and Events