AI-GRS study guide
AI-GRS · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The AI-GRS (General Review Specialist) is a designation credential offered by the Appraisal Institute for valuation professionals who review the work of other appraisers. It is aimed at general-certified appraisers and experienced practitioners who perform appraisal reviews for lenders, litigation, government, and portfolio clients rather than solely producing original assignments. Candidates should expect the exam to test review judgment across four broad areas: review theory and practice, the Standards of Professional Practice and ethics (including USPAP-based reasoning about scope, competency, and reporting), valuation methodology and analysis, and report review and communication. Because the exam is a reasoning test rather than a recall test, preparation should combine careful reading of the applicable standards with practice at writing defensible review conclusions: identifying the subject and intended use, testing the adequacy of the original scope of work, tracing the logic of the approaches used, and drafting review comments that are specific, supported, and professionally worded. The AI-GRS study guide has 4 sections and about 1,421 words.
01Review Theory and Practice
Review is a risk-management and quality-control process applied to another appraiser's work. The reviewer does not re-appraise by default; the reviewer determines whether the work is adequately supported, credible, and compliant with applicable standards.
414 words, about 2 min02Standards of Professional Practice and Ethics
Candidates must know the structure of the profession's standards: the ethics and competence rules, the development and reporting requirements, and the rules governing review and consulting. Core obligations include: Competency - decline or disclose and take steps to become competent.
347 words, about 2 min03Valuation Methodology and Analysis
Reviewers must be able to test whether each approach was applied correctly and reconciled sensibly. Sales comparison - verify comparability, transaction status, and adjustment support.
322 words, about 2 min04Report Review and Communication
A report review tests whether the written report communicates the analysis clearly enough for the intended user to understand it. Check: Identification - subject, client, intended use, intended users, effective date, and scope are stated.
338 words, about 2 min