DRTSS Learner Knowledge study guide
DRTSS Learner Knowledge · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The DRTSS (Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience) Learner Knowledge credential is designed for people who need a structured, working command of disaster risk reduction and resilience practice - whether you are entering the field, moving into a DRR role from a related sector, or refreshing your knowledge for programme work. It tests conceptual understanding across the full disaster management cycle: core risk and resilience concepts, hazard identification and risk assessment, the frameworks and standards that shape practice, preparedness and early warning, emergency response and coordination, recovery and reconstruction, climate adaptation integration, community-based approaches and inclusion, and the data, monitoring and reporting skills that hold programmes together. The DRTSS Learner Knowledge study guide has 9 sections and about 2,987 words.
01Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Concepts
This domain tests whether you can separate hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity, and use those terms precisely when explaining risk and resilience. Expect distinctions between DRR, disaster risk management and emergency response, plus the ability to apply a resilience lens to a community scenario.
365 words, about 2 min02Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
This domain tests whether you can identify and profile hazards, combine likelihood and consequence transparently, and justify prioritisation with defensible evidence. The exam expects you to distinguish hazard assessment from vulnerability and capacity assessment while showing how they combine into risk.
336 words, about 2 min03Disaster Risk Management Frameworks and Standards
This domain tests your command of the international DRR architecture and your ability to map national or local action to specific priorities, targets and standards. You should know the Sendai Framework’s structure and how it relates to the SDGs, the Paris Agreement and humanitarian standards.
372 words, about 2 min04Preparedness, Early Warning and Contingency Planning
This domain tests whether you can turn risk information into readiness. Expect questions on contingency plan content, early warning systems, trigger thresholds, exercises and the “last mile” between a forecast and protective action.
323 words, about 2 min05Emergency Response and Coordination
This domain tests how response is organised when national capacity is overwhelmed. You should understand coordination architecture, humanitarian principles, needs assessment and accountability, and be able to explain who does what without confusing coordination with direct implementation.
318 words, about 2 min06Recovery, Reconstruction and Building Back Better
This domain tests whether you can plan recovery that restores services and livelihoods while reducing future risk. Expect questions on post-disaster needs assessment, damage and loss, recovery principles and the practical meaning of Build Back Better.
327 words, about 2 min07Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Integration
This domain tests whether you can link climate adaptation with disaster risk reduction without collapsing one into the other. You should distinguish adaptation from mitigation, recognise maladaptation and apply climate risk information to DRR decisions.
317 words, about 2 min08Community-Based Disaster Risk Management and Inclusion
This domain tests whether you can support communities to assess and manage risk themselves, with inclusion built into process and outcomes. Expect questions on participatory assessment, community action plans, local knowledge and the difference between consultation and genuine participation.
318 words, about 2 min09Data, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
This domain tests whether you can manage data and evidence for DRR decisions and report progress credibly. Expect questions on baselines, indicators, disaggregation, monitoring systems, evaluation criteria and the Sendai monitoring process.
311 words, about 2 min