When everyone hears about the problem of the FRM exam, very some believe it until they experience it for yourselves. For the past 10 years, the passing rates have averaged between 40 to 60 percent. People who are studying for the FRM exam are driven and smart and want to pass just as much as you do. That means it is critical that you have a study plan and adhere to it.
We asked over 100 of our one-time FRM Program students, who now hold FRM certifications, what advice they give to candidates just getting started in their studies. We assemble some of their advice for this article to help you figure out the best method to study for the exam.
Most successful FRM certification holders credit their study routine for their success in taking the FRM exams. Not only do you need to study the stuff, but you also need to be able to put what you learned into scenarios on the exam. This level of practical application and understanding takes time to develop. Therefore, it is critical that you get into a study routine early and stick to it.
We suggest the following Prepare > Practice > Perform method of studying. In the preparation stage, you take in information through listening to lectures and reading. In the practice stage, you start working through practice questions. In the presentation stage, you simulate exam conditions to assess your level of readiness. As you evolve your study plan, we typically suggest spending:
40–50% practicing
20% performing
30–40% of your time preparing
Focus on the Exam Learning and Weights Objectives
You should have a solid conception of the FRM Program curriculum and how each topic is weighted for the Part I exam. The syllabus is updated every exam cycle, with Part I focusing on four core topics, while Part II focuses on six. Exam burden varies by level and can change a bit from year to year, so it is good to be clear on what the burdens are for the exam you are taking.
FRM Part I Exam Topics and Weights
Quantitative analysis (20%)
Foundations of risk management (20%)
Financial markets and products (30%)
Valuation and risk models (30%)
FRM Part II Exam Topics and Weights
Operational risk and resiliency (20%)
Liquidity and treasury risk measurement and management (15%)
Risk management and investment management (15%)
Current issues in financial markets (10%)
Market risk measurement and management (20%)
Credit risk measurement and management (20%)
Apply Concepts to Real Situations
Just knowing the material isn’t sufficient to pass the FRM exam. You must be able to take the knowledge and apply it to real cases. Most queries are not asking you to repeat memorized material. They are asking you to use critical thinking skills.
It's essential for FRM professionals to look at a customer's circumstances and use what they know to help them. Hence the FRM exam wants you to show that you have that skill. Risk management jobs must be able to use all the knowledge they have and focus not only on those risk factors that were related to the latest dilemma but be able to set up plans for each and every risk factor based on current profiles, even if those scenarios seem dissimilar.
Learn How to Take the Exam
There’s a contrast between learning the material and learning how to take the exam. Be confident you practice taking the exam in realistic exam conditions in the last 4 weeks of studying. Because it takes off the pressure of exam day, the mock exam helps you grow familiarity with the testing conditions and gives you the surety to go into exam day fully prepared.
Mock exams study through each question and help you recognize where the answer comes from, the calculations needed, and what terms they are testing you on. This will help to charge in your knowledge gaps and give you a plan of how you should step yourself during the actual exam. Mock tests are not a substitute for practice questions or tests, and practice questions and tests are not a replacement for mock exams. Each has its own motive and unique advice usage. To further amaze the issue, some exam preparation providers market practice tests as mock exams. Do your research to make sure you’re getting the product you’re expecting when you purchase a mock exam.
Finominal Education is the best launchpad to gain financial expertise. Our well-versed faculties provide the CFA aspirants with a healthy and competitive environment and strive to impart knowledge to gain productive results.
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