CGA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CGA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CGA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CGA Topics to Study (69)
✍️ Sample CGA Questions & Answers
1. What does 'market rent' mean in the context of an income-producing property appraisal?
Market rent is the rental income a property would most probably command in the open market, which may differ from contract rent in existing leases.
2. When a conflict arises between standard procedures and a unique situation in Tenant Relations & Retention, what should a CGA professional prioritize?
Safety and ethics always take priority in Tenant Relations & Retention. When standard procedures don't adequately address a unique situation, consulting with experienced colleagues or supervisors ensures both safety and professional standards are maintained.
3. When the cost to cure a functional deficiency exceeds the resulting value increase, the obsolescence is classified as:
Functional obsolescence is incurable when the market value increase from correcting the deficiency is less than the cost to make the correction.
4. What is the purpose of adjusting for depreciation in the cost approach?
The cost approach begins by estimating the cost to construct a new building. Since most properties are not new, depreciation must be subtracted to reflect the loss in value due to age, physical wear and tear, outdated design, or external factors. This adjustment ensures the estimated value accurately reflects the property's current condition, utility, and remaining economic life.
5. Under USPAP, when an appraiser uses client-provided financial data in a real property report, the appraiser must:
USPAP requires disclosure of information sources and any extraordinary assumptions made when client-provided data cannot be fully verified.
6. What is the primary goal of the sales comparison approach in real estate appraisal?
The sales comparison approach, also known as the market data approach, estimates a property's value by analyzing recent sales of similar properties (comparables) in the same or similar market. The appraiser makes adjustments to the sale prices of these comparables to account for differences between them and the subject property. This process ultimately derives an indicated value for the subject property based on market evidence.