100+ Free GPC Practice Questions

Pass your Grant Professional Certified (GPC) Exam exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

Not published Pass Rate

100+ Questions

100% Free

1 / 100

Question 1

Score: 0/0

Cost-share or matching commitments must be tracked:

Only when an auditor requests them

Contemporaneously with the federal share, in the recipient's records, and reported as required (often on the SF-425 in the recipient share line)

Never — match is informal

Only at the end of the grant period

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: GPC Exam

175 MC

Multiple-Choice Items (150 scored)

GPCI Competencies Tested

$639/$875

Member / Non-member Fee 2026

GPCI Eligibility

120 / 170

Eligibility Points Required

GPCI Eligibility

3 years

Certification Validity

GPCI Recertification

60 hours

CE Required at Recertification

GPCI Recertification

Tested Competencies

GPCI Competencies Tested

Year-round

Testing Availability

GPCI Exam Preparation

Pass/Fail

Score Reporting

GPCI Candidate Guide

The GPC is a two-part exam administered by GPCI: a 175-question multiple-choice section (150 scored, 25 unscored pilot items) and a separately scored writing evaluation. The combined application+exam fee is $639 for GPA members or $875 for non-members (2026). Eligibility requires 120 of 170 points across Education, Professional Experience, Continuing Education, and Community Involvement, plus written agreement to the GPA Code of Ethics. Results are reported as Pass/Fail; GPCI does not publish a numeric cut score. Certification is valid 3 years and requires 105+ profession-related points (60+ continuing education hours) at recertification. The exam is offered year-round at testing centers or via online proctoring.

Sample GPC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your GPC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which federal regulation consolidated the former OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, and A-122 into a single set of uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards?

A.2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance)

B.Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31

C.GAO Yellow Book

D.SF-424 Common Rule

Explanation: 2 CFR Part 200, commonly called the Uniform Guidance, took effect December 26, 2014 and superseded multiple OMB Circulars including A-21 (educational institutions), A-87 (state/local), A-110 (administrative requirements), and A-122 (nonprofits). It governs nearly all federal financial assistance.

2A nonprofit expends $812,000 in federal awards during its fiscal year. Under 2 CFR 200 Subpart F, what audit requirement applies?

A.A Single Audit (formerly OMB A-133 audit) is required

B.No federal audit is required because it is a nonprofit

C.Only an IRS Form 990 audit is required

D.A DCAA pre-award audit is required

Explanation: Per 2 CFR 200.501, any non-federal entity that expends $750,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year must have a Single Audit (or a program-specific audit if only one federal program). The threshold applies regardless of entity type — nonprofit, state, local, tribe, or institution of higher education.

3Per 2 CFR 200.414, what is the de minimis indirect cost rate a non-federal entity may elect if it has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate (NICRA)?

A.10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC)

B.8% of total direct costs

C.15% of total project costs

D.25% of personnel costs

Explanation: Under 2 CFR 200.414(f), an entity that has never had a NICRA may elect a de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, participant support, rental costs, tuition remission, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000.

4Which of the following items is EXCLUDED from the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base when computing indirect costs?

A.The portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000

B.Salaries of direct-charge program staff

C.Office supplies under $500

D.Domestic travel costs

Explanation: MTDC includes direct salaries and wages, fringe, materials, supplies, services, travel, and subawards up to the first $25,000 of each subaward. It excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward over $25,000.

5Which federal form is used to disclose lobbying activities related to a federal grant application above $100,000?

A.SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities)

B.SF-424A (Budget Information — Non-Construction)

C.SF-425 (Federal Financial Report)

D.SF-3881 (ACH Vendor Enrollment)

Explanation: The Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 USC 1352) and its implementing regulations require recipients of federal awards over $100,000 to file SF-LLL if they have used or will use non-appropriated funds to influence federal officials regarding the award.

6Under 2 CFR 200.313, equipment is defined as tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost of at least what amount?

A.$5,000

B.$1,000

C.$10,000

D.$25,000

Explanation: Per 2 CFR 200.1, equipment means tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by the non-federal entity for financial statement purposes, or $5,000.

7Per the Uniform Guidance procurement standards (2 CFR 200.320), what is the current micro-purchase threshold above which competitive quotes are typically required?

A.$10,000

B.$3,500

C.$50,000

D.$250,000

Explanation: The federal micro-purchase threshold under 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1) is $10,000. Below that amount, awards may be made without obtaining competitive quotations, provided the price is reasonable. The simplified acquisition threshold is $250,000.

8Which of the following costs is UNALLOWABLE on a federal grant under 2 CFR 200 Subpart E regardless of necessity?

A.Alcoholic beverages

B.Office rent at fair market value

C.Domestic travel using GSA per diem

D.Fringe benefits computed using a federally approved rate

Explanation: Per 2 CFR 200.423, costs of alcoholic beverages are unallowable on federal awards. Other categorically unallowable items include entertainment (200.438), goods or services for personal use (200.445), and fines/penalties (200.441).

9The three-pronged test for whether a cost may be charged to a federal award requires that the cost be:

A.Reasonable, allocable, and allowable

B.Cheapest, fastest, and documented

C.Approved by the board, GAAP-aligned, and audited

D.Federal, state, and local-source eligible

Explanation: Per 2 CFR 200.403–200.405, a cost charged to a federal award must be reasonable (a prudent person would have incurred it), allocable (the award received a proportionate benefit), and allowable (not prohibited by the cost principles or the award terms). All three tests must be met.

10Under 2 CFR 200.331, which characteristic best distinguishes a subrecipient from a contractor?

A.A subrecipient carries out a portion of the federal program with programmatic decision-making, while a contractor provides goods or services within normal business operations

B.A subrecipient is always smaller than the pass-through entity

C.A contractor is paid by reimbursement and a subrecipient is paid by advance

D.Only contractors must follow 2 CFR 200

Explanation: Per 2 CFR 200.331, a subrecipient has its performance measured in relation to whether program objectives were met, has responsibility for programmatic decision-making, and adheres to federal program requirements. A contractor provides goods or services within normal business operations to many customers, operates in a competitive environment, and provides ancillary services.

About the GPC Exam

The Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential, administered by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), is the leading professional certification for grant practitioners. Candidates demonstrate competency across 9 GPCI competencies — funding research, organizational development, program design, proposal development, post-award management, stakeholder relations, ethics, and professionalism — through a 175-question multiple-choice section plus a separately scored writing evaluation.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

~3 hours multiple-choice + writing evaluation

Passing Score

Pass/Fail — GPCI does not publish a numeric cutoff

Exam Fee

$639 GPA members / $875 non-members (combined application + exam, 2026) (Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI))

GPC Exam Content Outline

~18%

Funding Research & Prospecting

Federal NOFOs, foundation 990-PF research, Candid/Foundation Directory, RFAs vs RFPs, LOIs, and funder alignment analysis.

~9%

Organizational Development

501(c)(3), board governance, FASB ASC 958, fiscal sponsorship, charitable solicitation registration, and grant readiness.

~17%

Program & Project Design

Logic models, theory of change, root-cause analysis, SMART objectives, ABCD vs deficit, evidence tiers, and evaluation design.

~23%

Proposal Development

Statement of need, methodology, evaluation, sustainability, SF-424/424A, fringe, MTDC, indirect cost, cost share, and reviewer-rubric alignment.

~10%

Post-Award Grant Management

Notice of Award, SF-425 and SF-PPR reporting, PMS/ASAP drawdowns, no-cost extensions, carryover, closeout, and subrecipient monitoring.

~7%

Stakeholder Relations

Letters of support vs commitment, MOU vs MOA, partnership documentation, community advisory boards, and funder stewardship.

~10%

Ethics & Professional Standards

GPA Code of Ethics, contingency-fee prohibition, Byrd Amendment, conflict-of-interest disclosure (200.113), and AI transparency.

~6%

Practices Raising Professionalism

Continuing education, mentoring, presentations, publications, and contribution to the broader grant profession.

How to Pass the GPC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/Fail — GPCI does not publish a numeric cutoff
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: ~3 hours multiple-choice + writing evaluation
Exam fee: $639 GPA members / $875 non-members (combined application + exam, 2026)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GPC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the official GPCI Candidate Guide cover to cover and confirm your eligibility point total before scheduling.

2Memorize 2 CFR 200 thresholds — $750K Single Audit, $10K micro-purchase, $250K simplified acquisition, $5K equipment, 10% de minimis indirect, 120-day closeout, $25K FFATA — they appear repeatedly across compliance and post-award items.

3Practice budget construction on real SF-424A line items: personnel (FTE × salary × fringe), GSA travel per diem, MTDC base, and indirect cost application.

4Distinguish logic model from theory of change, and SMART objectives from goals; reviewers expect crisp use of each term.

5Drill ethics scenarios applying the GPA Code: contingency-fee prohibition, conflict-of-interest disclosure under 200.113, Byrd Amendment and SF-LLL, and AI transparency expectations.

6Build a written grant-prompt response under timed conditions; practice the writing evaluation rubric (persuasiveness, organization, clarity, information use, grammar, formatting).

7Take at least one full-length mixed-competency practice exam and review every miss with the cited regulation or BoK section.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GPC exam?

The Grant Professional Certified (GPC) exam, administered by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), is the leading professional certification for grant practitioners. It covers 9 competencies spanning funding research, organizational development, program design, proposal writing, post-award management, stakeholder relations, ethics, and professionalism.

How many questions are on the GPC exam?

The multiple-choice section contains 175 questions, of which 150 are scored and 25 are unscored pilot items used to validate future questions. A separately scored writing evaluation completes the exam.

How much does the GPC exam cost?

The combined application + exam fee in 2026 is $639 for Grant Professionals Association (GPA) members and $875 for non-members. GPCI offers a limited scholarship program each year, typically with an April application window.

What are the GPC eligibility requirements?

Candidates must earn at least 120 of 170 possible points across four areas — Education, Professional Experience, Continuing Education, and Community Involvement — within the 3-to-7-year window prior to applying. Candidates must also sign agreement to the GPA Code of Ethics. No bachelor's degree is required; pathways accommodate associate degrees and high school graduates with stronger experience profiles.

What is the GPC passing score?

GPCI does not publish a numeric cut score. Results are reported to candidates as Pass or Fail based on a criterion-referenced scoring methodology applied to the 150 scored multiple-choice items and the writing evaluation.

How long is the GPC certification valid?

GPC certification is valid for 3 years. Recertification requires documenting at least 105 profession-related activity points, of which a minimum of 60 must be continuing education hours in grant-related topics. The full exam is not retaken at recertification under current GPCI policy.

Where and when can I take the GPC exam?

The GPC exam is offered year-round, with candidates able to take it at an in-person testing center or via online proctoring. Specific scheduling windows and proctor options are coordinated through GPCI after eligibility approval.

What is the GPA Code of Ethics, and why is it required?

The Grant Professionals Association Code of Ethics governs honesty, transparency, conflict-of-interest disclosure, and compensation practices in grant work. It prohibits contingency fees based on grant award amounts, requires conflict disclosure, and sets standards for client-relationship conduct. All GPC candidates must sign agreement before sitting for the exam.

Does the GPC exam cover federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)?

Yes. Uniform Guidance compliance is integrated across multiple competencies, especially proposal development, post-award management, and ethics. Candidates should know key thresholds: $10K micro-purchase, $250K simplified acquisition, $750K Single Audit, $5K equipment, 120-day closeout, 10% de minimis indirect cost, and $25K FFATA subaward reporting.