Click here for the June 2023 Exam Candidate Manual

The GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam^R is a groundbreaking development in the geospatial profession, software-agnostic, based upon a job analysis from a four-year experience level, informed by the GIS&T Body of Knowledge, guided by the Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM), and centered upon the ten key knowledge areas shown elsewhere on these pages. It was developed by GISPs for the GISP Certification.

The GISCI Geospatial Core Technical Knowledge Exam^R measures a breadth of geospatial knowledge across the 10 Content Areas specified, not a depth of knowledge in any one area.

                                                                   A completed Portfolio Application is not required in order to test.

The Exam

• Requires that you KNOW the GIS areas tested against and not just memorize terms in order to pass (you cannot test your way TO competence, but we can successfully test FOR competence in selected areas)
• Measures proficiency in  selected geospatial competencies, NOT proficiency in your job
• Is based on the 2019  Exam Blueprint
• Is written at a 4 year experience level and written by qualified  GISPs, consulting with qualified psychometricians
• Can  be taken whenever it is offered, regardless of the status of your Portfolio Application
• Is offered at proctored PSI testing locations around the world only in June & December
• The December Session will start on the first Saturday in Dec and run for 8 days;  Scheduling for the December session will start in July
• The June Session will start on the first Saturday in June and run for 8 days; Scheduling for the June session will start in February
• Scheduled times and loctions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis;  candidates are advised to apply early
• Is 4 hours in duration and contains 100 scored questions;  average completion time is 3 hours
• Contains additional pre-test questions, up to 80, not scored, which will be evaluated for use as scored questions in the future
• Candidates will not be able to identify scored vs non-scored questions
• Questions will come from the following Knowledge Categories, effective 7/5/2019, as described in the 2019 Exam Blueprint:
  • Conceptual Foundations (10%)
  • Geospatial Data Fundamentals (15%)
  • Cartography & Visualization (10%)
  • Data Acquisition (11%)
  • Data Manipulation ( 11%)
  • Analytical Methods (11%)
  • Database Design & Management (10%)
  • Application Development (7%)
  • Systems Design & Management (7%)
  • Professional Practice (8%)
• Information on these areas, is available here:   Exam Candidate Manual
• Passing is a scaled score 73
• Pass rates have reached 60%
• Reporting is pass/fail only - you will not be provided a final score
• Pass/Fail notice will go out, generally, within 4 weeks after the full exam session closes, after a full GISCI review and confirmation of results.  Candidates will be notified of delays, if they arise
• Candidates failing, after initial notification, will receive a Performance Report covering each of the 10 Knowledge Categories to assist with study for re-testing
• Testing slots are scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis, so apply and schedule early; space may be unavailable in the few weeks before the start date
• Scheduling is done online through PSI Support in KS after authorization by GISCI;  direct contact with a local testing center will not secure an exam slot
• Cancellation:  If you cannot attend your scheduled exam, you must contact info@gisci.org 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule

• Failure to show for the exam without notification to GISCI Staff will result in forfeiture of the Application and Exam Fees.

• Important Notes:

  • Candidates are allowed to roll exam fees over once with permission from the Executive Director.

  • All exam fees are non-refundable.

  • In the event of a test center issue, candidates will be allowed to re-test at no-cost.