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FRM Course: Hone Your Risk Management & Finance Skills

Updated on 06 November, 2023

Akansha Semwal

Akansha Semwal

Study Abroad Expert

Synopsis

Insufficient risk management can have serious consequences for both businesses and people. Macro-level poor risk management can bring down an economy. To navigate such risks, FRM (Financial Risk Management) professionals can make a difference. Learn all about the FRM course to become the desired professional.

The FRM course is offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP, USA) to help professionals understand, analyze, and mitigate risks businesses may face. It is the gold standard with regard to academic excellence in risk management, and professionals who have completed this course can pursue a career in risk management. 

The FRM certification has propelled 80,000+ professionals with transferable knowledge applicable across industry platforms, a boost in job performance & career prospects, and the opportunity to be employed at the top banks as well as asset management companies. This article highlights the essential FRM course details that you should know before appearing for the exam.

FRM Curriculum

Let's start by looking at what the FRM curriculum entails. 

  Module

FRM Part I 

 

Exam: 100 MCQs, 4 hours

 

Applicants can appear for the exam in May, August, and November every year

 

Risk Management Overview, ERM, and Governance
Pricing Models and Risk Transfer
Financial Crises and Disasters, GARP Code of Conduct
Probability and Statistics
Hypothesis Testing and Regression
Time Series, Forecasting, Simulation and Machine Learning
Financial Institutions, Markets and Central Clearing
Forwards, Futures and Foreign Exchanges
Options Markets and Trading Strategies
Interest Rates, Swaps and Fixed Income Securities 
Measuring Risk and Volatility
Understanding Credit Ratings and Credit Risk
Operational Risk, County Risk and Stress Rating
Valuing Fixed Income Securities
Modeling Option Values and Sensitivities 

FRM Part 2

 

Exam: 80MCQs, 4 hours

 

Exams are offered in May, August, and November every year

Analyzing Market Risk and Correlation Risk
Term Structure and Volatility Modeling and Trading Considerations
Analyzing Credit Risk
Modeling Structured and Portfolio Credit Risk
Counterparty Risk Management
Retail Credit Risk and Credit Risk Transfer
Operational Risk Management, Governances, and Model Risk
Capital Frameworks and Capital Planning
Regulation and Resiliency
Introduction to Liquidity Risk Management
Stress Testing, Contingency Planning, Deposit Services and Non-deposit Liabilities
Repos, Liquidity Transfer, Interest Rate Risk Management and Cross-Currency Concerns
Portfolio Construction and Management
Risk Budgeting/Performance Measurement Funds
Current Issues in Financial Markets

Things to Remember 

  • The candidate has approximately 2.4 minutes to answer each question. 
  • The questions are of varying difficulty, with some requiring simple calculations to find the answer and others requiring the elaborate application of learned concepts to real-life situations. 
  • The exam questions focus on a candidate's grasp of concepts and the average pass rate is around 41-50%.

 Eligibility for FRM Clourse

  • There are no minimum eligibility criteria to apply for the FRM course. However, a minimum of two years of relevant work experience is necessary to earn the FRM certification. 
  • An undergraduate in the final year of their degree is eligible to apply for the FRM Part I exam. However, one needs to clear Part I to appear for Part II. The applicant should also have two or more years of work experience.
  • Parts 1 and 2 of the FRM program must be completed within four years of applying for the Part 1 exam.

How to Register for FRM

Registering for the FRM exam is simple. You can directly register via the website of GARP. Here are the important details that you need to know to fill out the registration form:

  • Go to the GARP website registration portal.
  • Select the Exam section.
  • Choose the exam you are interested in appearing for (Part 1 or Part 2). If you desire to appear for both, then select accordingly. 
  • Select the examination dates as per your desirability. 
  • Select your country, and fill in other details. 
  • Fill in other mandatory fields and pay your examination fee.
  • You will be registered for the exam.

Note: a) You will not receive FRM certification without qualifying Part 2 exam. 

           b) Ebooks for preparation will be available to you as a part of registration. However, if you     wish to buy a hard copy, you can do that.

Which should you choose?

MBA or FRM

FRM Exam Fees

FRM Exam Part I
Type 

Fees 

Early 

$1,000

Standard 

$1200

FRM Exam Part II
Type 

Fees 

Early 

$600

Standard 

$800

Exam Dates & Deadlines

It is just as important to stay updated with the latest dates and deadlines as preparation for a specific course. The exam windows for FRM are given in the table below. 

 

FRM Exam Part I

FRM Exam Part II

Fees

Registration Dates

Exam Dates

Fees

Registration Dates

Exam Dates

New Candidates

Early

Enrollment Fee: $400

Exam Fee: $600 

Opens December 1, 2023

May 11–17, 2024

-

-

May 18–22, 2024

Standard

Enrollment Fee: $400 

Exam Fee: $800 

Opens February 1, 2024

-

-

Returning Candidates

Early

Exam Fee: $600

Opens December 1, 2023

Exam Fee $600

Opens December 1, 2023

Standard

Exam Fee: $800 

Opens February 1, 2024

Exam Fee $800

Opens February 1, 2024

Job Prospects After FRM Course

The FRM course allows a professional to utilize risk management tools and techniques in the investment management processes. As a result, a professional certified in FRM has ample career options in risk management and trading, with outstanding job roles within the field.

Job

Average Expected Salary Range

Associate Vice President

$100,000 – 200,000 

Risk Analyst

$64,000 – 100,000

Risk Manager

$77,000 – 100,000 

Senior Business Analyst

$85,000 – 100,000 

Financial Analyst

$59,000 – 84,000 

Credit Risk Analyst

$70,000 – 100,000 

Senior Risk Manager

$92,000 – 100,000

Data Analyst

$59,000 – 90,000 

Source: Glassdoor

Some of the top hiring firms include: 

  • Bank of China
  • ICBC 
  • HSBC
  • JP Morgan Chase
  • CitiGroup 
  • UBS
  • Deutsche Bank
  • KPMG
  • Credit Suisse
  • Wells Fargo

FAQs

What is the FRM course duration?

The Financial Risk Management course can be completed within one to two years.

What are the fees for the FRM exam?

The initial enrollment fee for the FRM exam is $400, with the exam fees for Part I ranging from $600 to $800, whether early or standard registration. Only exam fees of $600 or $800 (early or standard) must be paid for Part II.

What are the job prospects for individuals with an FRM certification?

Job prospects for FRM-certified professionals are generally very promising. They often find opportunities in roles related to risk management, investment, and financial analysis in top banks and companies like PwC, ICBC, HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, and CitiGroup.

What is the salary of FRM?

Per Glassdoor, the salary of an FRM-certified professional starts from $59,000 annually and can go up to $200,000 depending on the job role, experience and skills. 

Did you find this article helpful?

Akansha Semwal

Study Abroad Expert

Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.

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