CertifiedGrantsManagementSpecialist(CGMS)

Examination

CandidateHandbook

Updated:October2012
 TableofContents

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................2

CREDENTIALDESIGNATION..............................................................................................................2

THECERTIFIEDGRANTSMANAGEMENTSPECIALISTEXAMINATION..............................................2

FULLFEESCHEDULE.........................................................................................................................3

EXAMINATIONREGISTRATION.........................................................................................................3
Eligibility..............................................................................................................................3
ApplicationProcess.............................................................................................................3
ApplicationDeadline...........................................................................................................4
SchedulinganExamination.................................................................................................4
ExaminationRegistrationandTestingProcess...................................................................4
RetakingtheExamination...................................................................................................5
Certificates..........................................................................................................................5
EligibilityAudits...................................................................................................................5
NationalRegistry.................................................................................................................6
WithdrawalofApplication..................................................................................................6

REASONABLEACCOMMODATIONS.................................................................................................6

EXAMINATIONINFORMATION.........................................................................................................7

SAMPLEEXAMINATIONQUESTIONS................................................................................................7

OTHEREXAMINATIONINFORMATION.............................................................................................9
Cancellations,Rescheduling,andNoShows......................................................................9
ExaminationRules...............................................................................................................9
CodeofEthicsandProfessionalConduct.........................................................................10

FORMOREPREPARATION..............................................................................................................10
OnlineDemoTest.............................................................................................................10

RECERTIFICATION...........................................................................................................................10

AppendixA:RecommendedReferences.........................................................................................11

AppendixB:CGMSClassificationSystemSummary.......................................................................13

AppendixC:SampleQuestionAnswerKey.....................................................................................14

AppendixD:ExamPreparationTips...............................................................................................15
HowtoStudy
ManagingTestAnxiety
TipsforTakingtheExamination

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2012,NationalGrantsManagementAssociation.Allrightsreserved.
INTRODUCTION
TheNationalGrantsManagementAssociation(NGMA)isrecognizedthroughoutthegrants
managementindustryasthemembershipassociationleaderprovidingtoolsforgrantsprofessionalsto
supportandmaintainhighlevelsofgrantsmanagementcompetencyandtoestablishstandardsof
excellenceforgrantsmanagers.

NGMAprovidescomprehensivefulllifecyclegrantsmanagementtraining,professionalcertification,
continuingprofessionaleducation,resources,andaforumfornetworkingforgrantsindustry
professionals.NGMAservesalllevelsofgovernment(federal,state,local,tribal),nonprofit
organizations,foundations,institutionsofhighereducation,andaffiliatedprivatesectororganizations.

Collectively,NGMAmembersareresponsibleforthemanagementofbillionsofdollarsingrantsand
otherfinancialassistance.

TheCGMSprofessionalcredentialisformalrecognitionofmasterlevelknowledgeandspecialtypractice
inthefieldoffulllifecyclegrantsmanagement.Maintainingthecredentialdemonstratestoyourpeers
yourdedicationtothehigheststandardsofcompetencyasagrantsmanagementprofessional.

EarningtheCGMScredentialenhancesyourprofessionalreputationandrepresentsyourhighlevelof
commitmenttocontinuedprofessionaldevelopment.

CastleWorldwide,Inc.(Castle)providestechnicalassistancetoNGMAinthedevelopmentanddelivery
ofthecomputerbasedCGMSexaminationthroughanetworkofmorethan375testcentersthroughout
theUnitedStatesandCanada.

PleaseusethiscandidatehandbooktounderstandtheCGMSapplication,testing,andrecertifying
processes.Ifyouhavequestionsaboutthisinformation,pleasecontactCastleat(919)5726880or
ibt@castleworldwide.com,orNGMAsBusinessOfficeatinfo@ngma.orgor12023089443.

CREDENTIALDESIGNATION
Uponachievingapassingscoreonthecertificationexamination,candidateswillbeawardedthetitle
CertifiedGrantsManagementSpecialist(CGMS).Candidateswhohavepassedthecertificationexam
mayusethisdesignationaslongastheircertificationremainscurrent.

THECERTIFIEDGRANTSMANAGEMENTSPECIALISTEXAMINATION
ThecomputerbasedCGMSexaminationisofferedondemandatproctoredtestingcenters
throughouttheU.S.andCanada.Theexaminationmayalsobeadministeredonoccasioninpaperand
pencilformatincorrelationwithconferencesandotherevents.

TheCGMSexaminationcontains150multiplechoicequestions.Candidateswillbegiventhree(3)
hourstocompletethetest.

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FULLFEESCHEDULE
$75 ApplicationFee
$525 ExaminationFee
$175 ReTestingFee(ifyoudonotpasstheexamthefirsttimeandwanttoretakeit)

FeesmustbepaidinU.S.fundstoCastlebyVisa,MasterCard,orAmericanExpress.

ApplicationFee
Theapplicationfeeis$75forfirsttimeCGMSapplicantsandcoversapplicationprocessingand
registrationforonetestingappointment.Thisfeeisnonrefundable.RefertotheCGMS
eligibilityrequirementstoensurethatyouqualifypriortoapplyingfortheexamination.

ExaminationFee
Thefeetotaketheexaminationis$525.

NGMAMembershipDiscount
NGMAmembersareeligibletoreceivea$100examinationfeediscount.ContactNGMApriorto
completingyourexaminationapplicationtoreceiveyourmembershipdiscountcode.No
discountswillbeappliedafterapplicationsubmission.Forinformationabouthowtobecomean
NGMAmember,pleasecontactNGMAatinfo@ngma.org.

Note:Whiletheexaminationfeeisaseparatefeefromtheapplicationfee,bothwillbecollectedatthe
timeofapplicationsubmissionandwillbeprocessedtogether.

Ifyouareanorganizationthatwishestosubmitmultipleapplicationswithonepayment,pleasecontact
NGMAfordirectionsat202.308.9443orinfo@ngma.org.

EXAMINATIONREGISTRATION
Eligibility
Tobeeligibletositfortheexamination,candidatesmust:
1) meettheminimumeducationalrequirementofabachelorsdegreefromanaccredited
institutionofhighereducationORequivalentforeigndegreethatwouldallowacandidateto
qualifyforamaster'sordoctoraldegreeprogramatanaccreditedUnitedStatescollegeor
university,and
2) haveaminimumofthree(3)yearsoffulltimegrantmanagementexperiencewithinthelast10
years.Fulltimeisdefinedas32hoursperweekormore.Grantmanagementexperience
includesanyandallactivitiescoveredbytheGrantManagementBodyofKnowledge,a
summaryofwhichisavailableontheNGMAwebsiteandinAppendixBofthishandbook.

ApplicationProcess
Applicationsmustbesubmittedpriortoexaminationregistration.Candidateeligibilitywillbevalidfor
366daysfromthedateofapplicationprocessing.Qualifiedcandidatesarepermittedfour(4)testing
attemptsduringthatperiod.Examinationfeesmustbepaidforeachtestingattempt.

Applicationsthatarestillincompleteafter90dayswillbeclosedandallexamfeeswillbeforfeited.

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Ifacandidatedoesnottaketheexaminationforwhichhe/sheappliedorsuccessfullycompletethe
examinationwithin366days,theapplicationwillbeclosedandthecandidatemustsubmitanew
applicationwiththerequiredsupportingdocumentationandcandidatefees.

Anemailremindertoscheduletestingwillbeissuedtoeligiblecandidateswhohavenotyetcompleted
testscheduling.

Youmustregisterwiththenamethatappearsonthecurrentgovernmentissuedphotoidentification
thatyouwillusetoenterthetestingcentertositfortheexamination.Acceptedformsofidentification
includevaliddriverslicenses,passports,andgovernmentissuedidentificationcards.Unacceptable
formsofidentificationincludegymmemberships,warehousememberships,schoolidentification
cards,creditcards,andidentificationwithsignatureonly(nophoto).

AnonlineapplicationisavailablethroughtheCGMScandidateregistrationsystemat
(www.castleworldwide.com/ngma).Youwillbepromptedtocreateanonlineprofilethatwillserveas
thebasisforallinteractionwithCastle.Pleaserecordyourusername,password,andemailaddressas
usedontheapplicationforfuturereferenceand/oraccesstothesystematalatertime.

ApplicationDeadline
Candidatesarestronglyencouragedtosubmitacompletedapplicationatleast60dayspriortotheir
desiredtestingdate.Uponapplicationprocessing,candidateswillreceiveinformationabout
schedulingatestingappointment.Testingappointmentsmustbemadeatleastseven(7)daysin
advance.

SchedulinganExamination
Applicationsareacceptedonacontinuingbasis.Uponapprovalofanapplication,Castlewillemail
notificationofeligibilitytositfortheexaminationandwillprovideaNoticetoSchedule(NTS)email
withausername,password,anddirectionsonhowtoscheduleatestingsession.

Thetestingappointmentmustbemadeatleastseven(7)dayspriortoyourpreferredtestdate.Most
testsiteshavemorningandafternoontestingsessionsavailable.Castlewilldoitsbestto
accommodatetherequestedtestsiteanddate.Seatsarefilledonafirstcome,firstservedbasis,
basedontestcenteravailability.

Candidateswillreceiveaconfirmationemailincludingexacttestlocation,date,andtimeviaemail.The
candidatemustpresentthatdocumentatthesiteonthetestdate.

ExaminationRegistrationandTestingProcess
1. Reviewthiscandidatehandbookpriortoschedulingyourexamination.Failuretofollowthe
instructionscancauseadelayofyourexaminationregistration.Forquestionsregarding
examinationregistration,contactCastleatibt@castleworldwide.com.

2. Completetheexamapplicationandpaytheapplicationandexaminationfees.Youmust
registerwithyourfullnameasitappearsonyourcurrentgovernmentissuedphoto
identification.

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 3. IMPORTANT:Toreceiveimportantelectroniccorrespondenceaboutschedulingyourtesting
session,ensurethatyouremailprogramacceptsemailsfromibt@castleworldwide.com.

4. Scheduleatestingsession.(SeeSchedulinganExaminationabove.)

5. Candidatesrequestingspecialtestingaccommodations(seeReasonableAccommodationson
page5)undertheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActmustsubmittheirtestschedulingrequestsat
least30dayspriortotheirpreferredtestingdates.

6. Youwillbenotifiedoftheexacttestlocation,date,andtimeviaaconfirmationemail.You
mustbringyourprintedconfirmationwithyoutothetestsite.

Youmustalsobringcurrentgovernmentissuedphotoidentificationwithsignaturetothe
testsite.Acceptableformsofidentificationincludedriverslicenses,passports,and
governmentissuedidentificationcards.Unacceptableformsofidentificationincludegym
memberships,warehousememberships,schoolidentificationcards,creditcards,and
identificationwithsignatureonly.

7. Pleasearriveatthetestingcenteratleast15minutespriortothestartofthetestingsession.
Thosearrivinglateforatestingsessionmaynotbepermittedtotest.

8. Sitfortheexamination.Theexaminationconsistsof150multiplechoicequestions.Youwillbe
giventhree(3)hourstocompletetheexamination.

9. Forcomputerbasedexaminations,scoreswillbeissuedatthetestingcenteruponsuccessful
submissionofyourexamination.Alinktothescorereportwillalsobeemailedtoyou.The
emaillinkwillbeavailablefor60daysaftertesting.

Candidateswhotakeapaperandpencilexaminationcanexpecttoreceivetheirresultsby
mailapproximately68weeksafterthetestingdate.

RetakingtheExamination
Approximately45daysaftertheinitialtestingdate,candidateswhodonotpasstheexaminationwill
automaticallyreceiveinformationaboutretakingtheCGMSexamination(followinga90daywaiting
period).Candidatesareallowedfour(4)testingattemptsina366dayperiodandmustpaythere
testingfeeof$175foreachtestingattempt.

Certificates
Afterpassingtheexamination,candidateswillreceiveapersonalizedcertificate,whichissuitablefor
framing,andawalletcard.Certificatesareprintedandmailedtopassingcandidatesonamonthlybasis.

EligibilityAudits
Apercentageofcandidateapplicationswillbeauditedtoensurecompliancewiththeeligibilitycriteria.
Applicationsforauditwillbeselectedrandomly.Ifyourapplicationisselectedforaudit,youwillbe
providedwithinstructionsonhowtosupplysatisfactorydocumentationthatsupportsyourcompliance
withtheeligibilitycriteriabeforeyourcertificateisreleased.

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NationalRegistry
NGMAwillmaintainaregistryofcurrentCGMScredentialholdersforpublicaccess.WithintheNGMA
candidateregistrationsystem,credentialholderscanchoosetobeincludedonthisregistry.

Thebenefitofincludingyournameontheregistryisthatyourcredentialcanbeverifiedbyyour
customeroremployer.Detailsregardingthepublicregistryareavailableontheexaminationapplication.

DelayofApplication
Duringtheprocessofapplyingforthecredentialandschedulingtheexam,acandidatecanaskforupto
aoneyeardelaywithanadditionalfeeof$100relatedtoillness,familyemergency,military
commitment,orotherextenuatingcircumstances.Thisdeferralmustberequestedwithin15daysofthe
circumstanceandtheappropriatefeeandsupportingdocumentationmustbesubmittedtoCastle.Ifa
testingappointmenthasalreadybeenscheduled,anadditional$50cancellationfeewillapply.

REASONABLEACCOMMODATIONS
Reasonableaccommodationsprovidecandidateswithdisabilitiesafairandequalopportunityto
demonstratetheirknowledgeandskillintheessentialfunctionsbeingmeasuredbytheexamination.
Reasonableaccommodationsaredecidedbasedontheindividualsspecificrequest,disability,
documentationsubmitted,andappropriatenessoftherequest.Reasonableaccommodationsdonot
includestepsthatfundamentallyalterthepurposeornatureoftheexamination.

Reasonableaccommodationsgenerallyareprovidedforcandidateswhohaveaphysicalormental
impairmentthatsubstantiallylimitsthatpersoninoneormoremajorlifeactivities(e.g.,walking,
talking,hearing,andperformingmanualtasks);havearecordofsuchphysicalormentalimpairment;
orareregardedashavingaphysicalormentalimpairment.

Toapplyforreasonableaccommodations,thecandidatemustrequesttheaccommodationsinthe
applicationprocessandprovidedocumentationthatsupportsreasonableaccommodationsprovided
byanappropriatelicensedprofessionalontheprofessionalsletterhead.Thedocumentationmust
includeadiagnosisofthedisabilityandspecificrecommendationsforaccommodations.

Requestsforaccommodationsmustbesubmittedatleast30dayspriortotheirpreferredtestdate.It
isrecommendedthatthisdocumentationbesubmittedatleast45dayspriortothepreferredtesting
date.

Formoreinformationregardingreasonableaccommodations,pleasecontactCastle.

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EXAMINATIONINFORMATION
Thereare150multiplechoicequestionsonthisexamination.Youwillhavethree(3)hourstocomplete
theexamination.

Thefollowingexaminationcontentoutlineidentifiesthemajorareasincludedontheexamination.See
AppendixBformoredetailedinformationaboutexaminationcontent.

DomainNumber Domain
I GeneralKnowledge
II PreAwardActivities
III AwardActivities
IV PostAwardActivities
V CloseOut

SAMPLEEXAMINATIONQUESTIONS
Thefollowingquestionsweretakenfromtheexaminationquestionrepositoryandserveassamplesof
thequestiontypeandquestioncontentfoundonthecertificationexamination.Pleaseseetheanswer
keyinAppendixC.

1. Whatisthestandardfordeterminingthereasonablenessoffederalgrantcosts?
A. Whetherornotthecostsdonotexceedthosewhichwouldbeincurredbyaprudentpersonin

likecircumstances
B. Whethertheyareincludedinthebudget
C. Whethertheyaredocumented
D. Whethertheyareallowabletothegrant

2. Whatactallowsforgreateraccessibilityandparticipationofmakingregulationsbyallcitizens?
A. FederalRegisterAct(FRA)
B. NegotiatedRulemakingAct(NRMA)
C. AdministrativeProceduresAct(APA)
D. Alloftheabove

3. WhichpieceoflegislationstipulatesthatfederalgrantrecipientsMUSTconsiderthepotentialimpacts
oftheirprojectsonecologicalsystemsandnaturalresources?
A. CleanAirAct(CAA)
B. EnvironmentAct(EA)
C. NationalHistoricPreservationAct(NHPA)
D. NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)

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4. Whichofthefollowingentitiesisresponsibleforapprovingafederalgrantee'sindirectcostrate
proposal?
A. Cognizantagency
B. Federalgovernment
C. U.S.DepartmentoftheTreasury
D. UnitedStatesCongress

5. Withinthetermsandconditionsofafederalgrantaward,whenisaprogressreportdue?
A. Everymonth
B. Uponrequest
C. Onlyuponcloseout
D. Notlessthanannually

6. Underfederalprocurementprocedures,someformofcostorpriceanalysisshallbemadeforwhichof
thefollowingactions?
A. Everyprocurementaction
B. Procurementactionsof$50,000andover
C. Procurementactionsof$100,000andover
D. Procurementactionsof$500,000andover

7. WhoisresponsibleforfollowinguponaCorrectiveActionPlan(CAP)resultingfromanauditfinding?
A. Auditor
B. Auditee
C. Subgrantee
D. Cognizantagency

8. WhatactionalwaysREQUIRESanamendmenttoafederalaward?
A. Procurementofequipment
B. Changeinthescopeofthegrant
C. Changeinstaffassignedtoagrant
D. Changeinthenumberofparticipatinginatraining

9. Whendoesthecloseoutoccurduringthegrantslifecycle?
A. Afterthegrantfundsareexpanded
B. Afterthegranteesubmitsfinalreports
C. Afterthedateofthefinalcomplianceandcompletionreview
D. Afterthedateofcompletionoftheaward(projectenddate)

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10. Underfederalregulations,fundsMUSTbeobligatedbywhichofthefollowingdates?
A. Lastdayoftheprojectperiod
B. FinalsubmissiondateoftheSF425
C. Endofthefederalfiscalyear
D. Issuedateofthegrant

OTHEREXAMINATIONINFORMATION
Cancellations,Rescheduling,andNoshows
Youmaycancelorrescheduleatestingsessionuptofour(4)businessdaysbeforeyourtesting
appointmentthroughtheonlineschedulingsystem.A$50nonrefundablefeewillapply.

DayofTestingAppointment: MustReschedule/CancelBy:
Monday Tuesdayofthepreviousweek
Tuesday Wednesdayofthepreviousweek
Wednesday Thursdayofthepreviousweek
Thursday Fridayofthepreviousweek
Friday Mondayofthecurrentweek
Saturday Tuesdayofthecurrentweek

Notappearingforatestingappointmentorreschedulingtheexamlessthanfour(4)businessdays
beforeatestingappointmentresultsinatestingcandidatebeingmarkedasanoshow.Refundsof
examinationfeesarenotprovidedfornoshows.

ExaminationRules
NGMAandCastlefollowindustrystandardtestingrulesasoutlinedbelow.

ProhibitedItems
Candidatesareexpresslyprohibitedfrombringingthefollowingitemstothetestsite:
Cameras,cellphones,opticalreaders,orotherelectronicdevicesthatincludetheability
tophotograph,photocopy,orotherwisecopytestmaterials
Notes,books,dictionaries,orlanguagedictionaries
Bookbagsorluggage
iPods,MP3players,headphones,orpagers
Calculators,computers,PDAs,orotherelectronicdeviceswithoneormorememories
Personalwritingutensils(e.g.,pencils,pens,andhighlighters)
Watches
Foodandbeverage
Hats,hoods,orotherheadgear

IfCastletestingpersonneldeterminethatyouhavebroughtanysuchitemstothetestsite,theymaybe
demandedandheldforanindefiniteperiodoftimebyCastletestingpersonnel.Wereservetherightto
reviewthememoryofanyelectronicdevicethatmaybeinyourpossessionatthetestingcenterto
determinewhetheranytestmaterialshavebeenphotographedorotherwisecopied.

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Ifourreviewdeterminesthatanytestmaterialsareinthememoryofanysuchdevice,wereservethe
righttodeletesuchmaterialsand/orretainthemforsubsequentdisciplinaryaction.Uponcompletionof
ourreviewandanyapplicabledeletions,wewillreturnyourdevicetoyou,butwillnotberesponsible
forthedeletionofanymaterialsthatmayresultfromourreview,whetherornotsuchmaterialsaretest
materials.

Bybringinganysuchdeviceintothetestsiteincontraventionofourpolicies,youexpresslywaiveany
confidentialityorothersimilarrightswithrespecttoyourdevice,ourreviewofthememoryofyour
deviceand/orthedeletionofanymaterials.Castle,theexaminationsite,andthetestadministration
staffarenotliableforlostordamageditemsbroughttotheexaminationsite.

CodeofEthicsandProfessionalConduct
ByregisteringfortheCGMSexamination,candidatesagreetotheCodeofEthicsandProfessional
ConductpublishedbytheCGMSCommissionandpostedontheNGMAwebsite.

FORMOREPREPARATION
DemoTest
Castleoffersafreeonlinetutorialandanunscoreddemotesttofamiliarizecandidateswiththe
computerbasedtestingenvironment.Theonlinedemonstrationandtutorialareaccessibleatanytime,
anywhere,throughanycomputerwithInternetaccess.Candidatesmayaccessthetutorialanddemoon
Castleswebsite(www.castleworldwide.com/castleweb/candidates/sampletests/index.aspx).Thedemo
isnotintendedtobeareviewofCGMSexaminationcontent.

RECERTIFICATION
CandidatespassingtheCGMSexaminationarecertifiedforaperiodofthree(3)years.CGMS
recertificationassuresemployersandpeersthatyouareknowledgeableaboutthemostcurrent
processesandpracticesinthefieldoffulllifecyclegrantsmanagement.

TherecertificationcyclebeginsthedayacandidatepassestheCGMSexaminationandendsthreeyears
later.

Toqualifyforrecertification,youmustsubmitaminimumof60ContinuingProfessionalEducation
credits(CPEs)/ContinuingEducationUnits(CEUs)priortoyourcertificationexpiration.Ifyour
recertificationapplicationisreceivedafteryourexpirationdate,thereisathreemonthgraceperiod
withanadditionalfeeof$100paidatthetimeoftheapplicationbeingsubmitted.Thecontinuing
educationcreditsmustbevalidCPE/CEUcreditsthatdealwithsubjectsrelatedtogrants,financial
management,auditcontrolandthegrantmakingprocess.Accordingtogenerallyacceptedstandards,
50minutesoftrainingequalsoneCPE.GeneralknowledgeandethicsrelatedCPE/CEUsthatarenot
relatedtograntswillnotbeaccepted.ApplicantsmayaccruegrantrelatedCPEs/CEUsfromavarietyof
sources;forexample,NGMAintendstooffertrainingatitsNGMAAnnualConferenceandmonthly
trainingeventstohelpCGMScredentialholderssatisfythecontinuingeducationrequirementfor
recertification.

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AppendixA:RecommendedReferences

SomeoftheresourcesthatarerecommendedforreviewbycandidatespriortotakingtheCGMS
examinationareasfollows:

CastleOnlineDemoExamination

U.S.OfficeofManagementandBudget(OMB)CircularsandGuidanceforGrantsandAgreements:

UniformAdministrativeRequirementsforGrantsandAgreementswithInstitutionsofHigherEducation,
Hospitals,andotherNonProfitOrganizations(OMBCircularA110)publishedat2CFR215,including
appendices.

UniformAdministrativeRequirementsforGrantsandCooperativeAgreementstoState,Local,andTribal
Governments(OMBCircularA102)publishedasacommonrulebyfederalawardingagencies.Forthe
completeversionofOMBCircularA102commonrule,seeagencyregulations,suchasHHSat45CFR92
andUSDAat7CFR3016.(Note:OMBCircularA102,asmaintainedonOMBwebsite,doesnotcontain
thefullrequirementsoftheOMBCircularA102commonrule.)

CostPrinciplesforEducationalInstitutions(OMBCircularA21)publishedat2CFR220,including
appendices

CostPrinciplesforState,Local,andIndianTribalGovernments(OMBCircularA87)publishedat2CFR
225,includingappendices.

CostPrinciplesforNonProfitOrganizations(OMBCircularA122)publishedat2CFR230,including
appendices.

CostPrinciplesforCommercialOrganizationsat48CFRpart31(FederalAcquisitionRegulation).

AuditsofStates,LocalGovernments,andNonProfitOrganizations(OMBCircularA133)publishedat
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a133/a133_revised_2007.pdf

OMBCircularA133ComplianceSupplementspublishedonOMBwebsite:
June2012ComplianceSupplement
March2011ComplianceSupplement
June2010ComplianceSupplement
March2009ComplianceSupplement
March2008ComplianceSupplement
AppendixA:DataCollectionForm(FormSFSAC)

OMBGuidelinestoAgenciesonGovernmentWideDebarmentandSuspension(Nonprocurement)
publishedat2CFR180,includingagenciesimplementingregulationsat2CFRSubtitleB.

OMBGuidance

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OtherGrantRequirements:

GovernmentwideRequirementsforDrugFreeWorkplacepublishedat2CFR182,includingagencies
implementingregulationsat2CFRSubtitleB.

UniversalIdentifierandCentralContractorRegistrationpublishedat2CFR25.

ReportingSubawardandExecutiveCompensationInformationpublishedat2CFR170.

AwardTermforTraffickinginPersonspublishedat2CFR175.

AwardTermsforAssistanceAgreementsthatincludefundsundertheAmericanRecoveryand
ReinvestmentActof2009publishedat2CFR176.

ByrdAntiLobbyingAmendmentCommonRule,seeagencycodificationsat
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_chart/.

FederalGrantsandCooperativeAgreementAct,31USC6301.

FederalCashManagementImprovementsAct,31USC6501.

SingleAuditAct,31USC3751.

GovernmentPerformanceandResultsAct,31USC1101note.

FederalManagersFinancialIntegrityAct,PublicLaw97255.

ImproperPaymentsEliminationandRecoveryAct,31USC3301note.

NationalArchivesandRecordsAdministrationEfficiencyAct,44USC101note.

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AppendixB:CGMSExaminationClassificationSystemSummary

GeneralKnowledge
GrantLifeCycle
UniformAdministrativeRequirements
CostPrinciples
OrderofPrecedenceofLaws,Regulations,Policies,Guidance
FederalAppropriationProcess
RolesandResponsibilities

PreAward
ChoosingAppropriateFundingInstrument
FederalFundingOpportunityNotices
ApplicationRequirements
TypesofGrants
ApplicantEvaluation

Award
NoticeofAwardandAcceptance
ContractualTerms
LobbyingRestrictions
PublicPolicyRequirements
VendorandSubrecipientDistinctions
FinancialandPerformanceReports
GrantFileContents

PostAward
ProcurementStandards
FinancialManagementStandards
PropertyManagementStandards
InternalControls
ElectronicPaymentSystems
PriorApprovalRequirements
AuditsandResolutionProcess
Debarment
Enforcement

Closeout
RecordRetentionRequirements
FinalReportingRequirements
AccesstoRecords

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AppendixC:SampleQuestionAnswerKey

Question# Domain Answer

1 1 A
2 1 D
3 2 D
4 2 A
5 3 D
6 3 A
7 4 B
8 4 B
9 5 D
10 5 A

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AppendixD:ExamPreparationTips

HowtoStudy
NGMAencouragescandidatestopreparefortheexaminationbyusingresourcessuchasthoselistedin
thishandbook.(AlistofrecommendedreferencescanbefoundinAppendixA.)

Planyourreviewmethodswellinadvanceoftheexamination.Thinkaboutthestudymethodthatis
bestforyou(e.g.,individualreview,studygroup,class)andthetypesofmaterialsthataremosthelpful
(e.g.,textbooks,audioorvideoprograms,outlines,memoryaids).Itmayalsobehelpfultousematerials
giventoyouduringtrainingactivitiesrelatedtoyourwork.

ManagingTestAnxiety
Alittleanxietyregardingtesttakingcanbehelpfulbecauseitstimulatesandmotivatesyoutoperform
atyourbest;however,severeanxietycanhindertestperformance.Ifyouknowthatyoufrequently
experienceseveretestanxiety,considerpreparingyourselffortheexaminationbydevelopingcoping
mechanismstomakeyourtensionworkforyou.Inaddition,anonlinedemonstrationandtutorialare
availableatwww.castleworldwide.com/tds_v5/asp/home.asp.Thedemonstrationandtutorialwill
familiarizeyouwiththetestingenvironment.TheyarenotintendedtobeareviewofCGMS
examinationcontent.

Beforethedayoftheexamination,visualizeandrehearsethetestingsituation.Imagineyourselftaking
theexaminationwithapositiveattitudeandfocusedbutcalmbehavior.

Takemeasurestoreduceyourstressduringtheexamination.Usedeepbreathingtechniques,andbe
suretostretchyourmusclesperiodically.Suchexercisescanreducebothphysicalandmentalstress.If
necessary,takeafewminutestoimagineacalm,pleasantscene,andrepeatpositivephrases.

Donotletthecommentsorbehavioroftestingpersonnelorotherexamineesmakeyouanxious.As
examineesaretakingdifferentversionsoftheexamination,examineeswillfinishatdifferenttimes
somefinishingveryearly,otherstakingthefullthreehours.Examineeswhofinishmorequicklythanyou
maynotperformanybetterthanyou.Everyoneworksathisorherownspeed.Someofthebesttest
performersroutinelyusethetotalallocatedtime.Rememberthat(a)thereisnolimittothenumberof
examineeswhocanreceivepassingscores,(b)thereisnobonusforcompletingtheexaminationearly,
and(c)youarenotcompetingwithanyoneelse.

Eatingwell,avoidingtoomuchalcohol,andmaintainingaregularsleeppatternforseveraldaysbefore
theexaminationwillhelpyoutobephysicallyprepared.Also,onthedaybeforeyoutakethetest,
collectallthesuppliesyouwillneedandchoosecomfortableclothing.Knowingthatyouareprepared
forthetestwillhelptoreduceyouranxiety.

Finally,yourbestmethodforcontrollingyouranxietyistofeelpreparedforthetest.Designingastudy
planwellinadvancewillhelpyougetready.

TipsforTakingtheExamination
Budgetyourtimewell.Becauseyouwillthree(3)hourstocomplete150questions,youwill
wanttocompletemorethanhalf(75)inlessthanhalfthetime.Thisisbecauseyouwillwant
extratimeaftercompletingthefullexaminationtoreviewquestionsyoueitherskippedor

NGMACGMSCandidateHandbook Page15
2012,NationalGrantsManagementAssociation.Allrightsreserved.
 questionsyoumayhavemarkedforreview.Also,allowtimesothateveryhouryoucantakea
minuteorsotorelaxyoureyesandstretchyourneckandhandmuscles.

Readeachquestioncarefully,focusingonwhatisbeingasked.Ifyouareuncertainaboutthe
answerbutneverthelesswanttogiveatentativeresponseatthetime,markthetestquestion
toindicatethatyouwanttoreviewthetestquestionandyouransweriftimeallows.Gobackto
questionsmarkedinthismanneraftercompletingtheentiretest.

Readalloptionsbeforeselectingyouranswer.Alwaysselectthebestchoice.

Donotoveranalyzeortrytoreadintoaquestion.Questionsarenotwrittentobetricky.Do
notassumeadditionalinformationbeyondwhatisgiveninthetestquestion.Allinformation
necessarytoanswerthequestionwillbegiveninthetextofthequestionorscenario.

Rememberthatthisisanationaltest.Thequestionswillbebaseduponanacceptedknowledge
base.Chooseoptionsthatyouknowtobecorrectinanysetting.

Iftherearequestionsincludingthewordsnot,except,orleast,answerwithparticular
carebecauseyouwillbelookingfortheexception.Thesequestionsinvolveareversalofyour
usualthoughtpatterns.

Paycloseattentiontokeywordssuchasbest,most,primary,orusually.Thesewords
indicatethatotheroptionsmayattimesbecorrect,butgiventhewordingorsituationinthe
testquestion,youmustjudgewhichoptionisthebest.

Skipdifficultquestionsandcomebacktothemlater.Questionsonthetestarenotorderedby
difficulty(i.e.,theydonotgofromeasiesttohardest).Also,contentareas(thedomains)and
topicsareaddressedrandomlyinquestionsthroughoutthetest.

Whenguessing,usetheprocessofelimination.Treateachoptionasatrueorfalsestatement,
andeliminatethosethatyouwouldnotselect.Narrowyourchoicesandthenmakeaneducated
guess.

Answereveryquestion,becausethereisnopenaltyforguessing.Gothroughtheentiretest,
answeringthequestionsyoubelieveyouknowandskippingtheonesyoudonot.Leavetimeat
theendofthetestingperiodtogobacktothequestionsyouskippedorwanttoreview.Ifyou
arerunningoutoftime,leaveaminuteorsoattheendtocompletealloftheblankquestions
randomly.Remember,youhavea25%probabilityofansweringaquestioncorrectlybychance
alone,sodontmissany!

IfreadingEnglishisdifficultforyoubecauseEnglishisnotyourprimarylanguage,maximizeyour
timebyreadingandansweringalltheshorterquestionsfirst.Aftercompletingalloftheshort
questions,gobackandattempttoanswerthelongerquestions.

Reviewthesuggestedresourceslistedinthishandbook.

NGMACGMSCandidateHandbook Page16
2012,NationalGrantsManagementAssociation.Allrightsreserved.