More study resources

About this exam

The GES AD1 Promotion Exam is a multiple-choice assessment used to evaluate whether a candidate is ready to move into the AD1 level within the Global Entry System brokerage structure. It is aimed at practising agents and brokers who already handle transactions and now need to demonstrate broader command of brokerage practice, law, valuation, marketing, finance, ethics and office supervision. The exam is weighted toward real estate brokerage and transaction practice (25%) and law, contracts and consumer protection (20%), with valuation and market analysis, listing and client representation at 15% each, finance and tax at 10%, ethics and compliance at 10%, and office management and supervision at 5%. Because the paper is scenario-driven, memorising definitions is not enough: expect to apply rules to messy fact patterns, spot the compliance failure in a described transaction, and choose the most defensible course of action. A sensible preparation plan is to work domain by domain in weight order, build a one-page summary of contract and disclosure rules, practise pricing and adjustment calculations until they are automatic, then finish with timed mixed sets that force you to switch between subjects. The official body publishes current details on format, scheduling, fees and results; confirm those on its website rather than relying on second-hand accounts.

What you'll study

Common questions

About GES AD1 Promotion Exam preparation

What is the exam format?

It is delivered as multiple-choice questions covering the seven published domains. Candidates should confirm the current delivery method, whether computer-based or paper, and any identification or scheduling requirements directly with the official body, since administrative details change between testing windows.

How difficult is the AD1 Promotion Exam?

Most candidates find the content familiar but the application demanding. Questions often describe a transaction with several plausible answers, and the correct one depends on a specific rule or on which duty takes priority. Weakness usually shows up in contract and disclosure detail rather than in general market knowledge.

How long is the exam and how many questions are there?

The official body publishes the current question count and time limit, and these are not fixed permanently. Check its website before you plan your pacing. As a working rule, practise answering scenario questions at roughly one minute each so that you have time to reread the longer fact patterns.

What score do I need to pass, and can I retake it?

The passing standard and any retake or waiting-period rules are set and published by the official body, so confirm them there rather than relying on what other candidates report. Before a retake, review your weakest domains and rebuild your notes around the rules you misapplied, not just the questions you missed.

In what order should I study the domains?

Start with brokerage and transaction practice, then law, contracts and consumer protection, because those two carry 45% of the weight and underpin everything else. Add valuation and listing practice next, then finance, ethics and office supervision. Finish with mixed timed sets so you practise switching subjects under pressure.

Why do candidates fail?

The most common causes are shallow contract knowledge, ignoring the specific facts in a scenario, and choosing the answer that favours the client over the one that satisfies a disclosure or fiduciary duty. A second cause is arithmetic slips in pricing and adjustment questions, which is fixable with repeated calculation drills.

How much maths is on the exam?

Expect calculation questions in valuation, pricing and finance: comparable adjustments, capitalization, commission splits and basic loan or cost figures. You do not need advanced mathematics, but you do need clean, fast arithmetic and the habit of checking whether the answer is plausible for the property described.

Does the exam test supervision and office management?

Yes, at a smaller weight. Expect questions on broker responsibility for associate conduct, record keeping, advertising review, handling client funds and escalating compliance problems. Even a small number of correct answers here can matter, so do not skip the domain entirely.

How should I use practice questions?

Answer them before reviewing the explanation, then write down the rule that made the correct answer right and why each distractor was wrong. Group your errors by domain. If the same domain keeps appearing, reread that section rather than doing more questions on subjects you already handle well.