General Certification in Distilling (GCD) requires a basic knowledge of the processes used to produce the main types of potable spirit consumed worldwide. The scope of the present GCD syllabus is therefore confined to spirits derived either from cereals, cane sugar and cane sugar molasses, and grapes. The generic descriptors "whisk(e)y", "rum" and "brandy" are consequently restricted to beverages made from those respective raw materials. Similarly, neutral spirits derived from the same sources and vodka and gin made from neutral spirit are the only other products covered in the following syllabus.

The General Certificate in Distilling allows candidates to qualify for certification in the following electives:

- GCD (Cereal)
- GCD (Sugar Cane Molasses)
- GCD (Grape)

The elective format contains a common or "core" section (of 14 modules) that will be studied by all candidates, and elective sections (each of 6 modules) related to the specific substrates of cereal or sugar cane molasses or grape and their related industries.

The examination will be based on a single 2 hour paper, comprising of 60 Multiple Choice Questions based on "core" distilling topics and the 3 elective options. Candidates must specify at registration for the examination which of the elective options they have chosen.

All these qualifications are examined by multiple choice questions, either on-line (currently available for GCB and GCP) or by paper exams.

The pass marks are set at 66% (40 correct answers from 60 questions for GC exams; 33 out of 50 for FBPB). Candidates attaining 90% or more achieve a Distinction pass and 80 - 89% achieves a Credit pass.

The GCD has City & Guilds accreditation at level 3 on the National Qualification Framework in the UK or equivalent internally recognised standards.

For the examination dates please click here
To register for this examination please click here