FRM 2022 Candidate Guide
FRM 2022 Candidate Guide
ANALYTICS
PLATFORM
FRM®
GUIDE 2022
CANDIDATE
Setting the Standard for
Trusted Global Risk Analytics
Contents
2 Introduction
Becoming a Certified FRM
Who Should Consider the FRM Certification?
11 Registration
Exam Locations
Exam Date Changes
Your GARP Profile
12 Study Resources
Study Materials
Exam Preparation Providers (EPP)
Study Groups
skills and knowledge needed to help organizations succeed in today’s covers the tools used
ensuring that the designation meets the evolving demands of the • Financial Markets
Currently, more than 70,000 certified FRMs are employed at nearly Risk Models
by an average of 15% per year since 2010, surpassing 83,000 in 2020. Part II focuses on the
This growth reflects the rapidly increasing demand for professionals application of the tools
By achieving the FRM Certification, candidates join a worldwide deeper exploration of:
network of professionals in more than 190 countries and territories, • Market Risk
Moreover, employers know that FRMs have the knowledge needed to and Management
anticipate and respond to critical issues, providing them with an edge • Credit Risk
Finance Professionals
The FRM helps professionals in risk management, investment
management, or other critical areas of the financial services industry
broaden their knowledge of financial risk and enhance their skill sets.
Individuals just beginning their careers benefit from the breadth of the TOP 10 COMPANIES
curriculum, which exposes candidates to the major strategic aspects EMPLOYING THE
of risk management. More established practitioners often choose MOST FRMs
to become FRMs in order to ensure that they are apprised of the
latest trends in risk management, or because they want to challenge INDUSTRIAL
themselves by testing their knowledge against an elite pool of risk COMMERCIAL BANK
managers from around the world. OF CHINA
Students
PWC
At a time when many universities are moving online, earning the FRM
Certification can be completed more quickly and more efficiently AGRICULTURAL
than most degrees. For students with an interest in finance, the FRM BANK OF CHINA
designation demonstrates to future employers an ability to master
complex, real-world challenges. Students may elect to sit for the FRM JPMORGAN CHASE
Exam during or immediately after completing their studies. The FRM
curriculum can complement prior course work or enable students
to develop a foundation of specialized knowledge that goes beyond
their academic curriculum.
UNITED KINGDOM
Benefits of the FRM
EUROPEAN UNION
• Demonstrate your knowledge
Earning your certification shows that you have mastered the HONG KONG
knowledge bases necessary to effectively assess and manage risk.
TAIWAN
• Highlight your experience
SINGAPORE
The designation testifies that you have worked in the profession
for at least two years, signaling to employers that you have the
AUSTRALIA
experience necessary to succeed.
INDIA
• Join an elite group
You’ll be part of a network of like-minded professionals, allowing SOUTH AFRICA
you to expand your career opportunities.
The FRM program is developed under the guidance of the FRM Committee, which is comprised of
prominent global risk management professionals and academics. The FRM Committee establishes the
topic areas tested on the Exam on an annual basis.
To further align with industry needs and calibrate understanding of the demands of the global risk
management community, GARP also conducts formal surveys designed to determine the knowledge, skills,
and abilities required of effective risk managers. This process helps ensure that successful candidates are
prepared to effectively contribute to their organizations.
Exam Structure
The FRM consists of two multiple-choice exams. The FRM Exam Part I contains of 100 equally weighted
questions, and the FRM Exam Part II has 80 equally weighted questions. Candidates are allotted four hours
to complete each Exam. Part I and Part II are offered via computer-based testing (CBT). The Exams are
comprehensive, practice-oriented assessments that cover the fundamental tools and techniques used in
risk management, their underlying theories, and the major sub-areas of risk.
FRM Exam Part I: This area focuses on a candidate’s knowledge of foundational concepts of
Foundations of Risk risk management and how risk management can add value to an organization
Management | 20% and includes:
• Basic risk types, measurement, and management tools
• Creating value with risk management
• Risk governance and corporate governance
• Credit risk transfer mechanisms
• The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
• Risk-adjusted performance measurement
• Multifactor models
• Data aggregation and risk reporting
• Financial disasters and risk management failures
• Ethics and the GARP Code of Conduct
• Enterprise risk management (ERM)
FRM Exam Part I: This area tests a candidate’s knowledge of basic probability and statistics;
Quantitative Analysis | 20% regression and time series analysis; and various quantitative techniques useful
in risk management such as:
• Discrete and continuous probability distributions
• Estimating the parameters of distributions
• Population and sample statistics
• Bayesian analysis
• Statistical inference and hypothesis testing
• Measures of correlation
• Line regression with single and multiple regressors
• Time series analysis and forecasting
• Simulation methods
FRM Exam Part I: This area tests the candidate’s knowledge of financial products and the markets
Financial Markets and in which they trade including:
Products | 30% • Structures and functions of financial institutions
• Structure and mechanics of over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange markets
• Structure, mechanics, and valuation of forwards, futures, swaps, and options
• Hedging with derivatives
• Interest rates and measures of interest rate sensitivity
• Foreign exchange risk
• Corporate bonds
• Mortgage-backed securities
FRM Exam Part I: This area will test a candidate’s knowledge of valuation techniques and risk
Valuation and Risk models such as:
Models | 30% • Value-at-Risk (VaR)
• Expected shortfall (ES)
• Estimating volatility and correlation
• Economic and regulatory capital
• Stress testing and scenario analysis
• Option valuation
• Fixed income valuation
• Hedging
• Country and sovereign risk models and management
• External and internal credit ratings
• Expected and unexpected losses
• Operational risk
FRM Exam Part II: This area tests a candidate’s knowledge of market risk measurement and
Market Risk Measurement management techniques. These include:
and Management | 20% • VaR and other risk measures
• Parametric and non-parametric methods of estimation
• VaR mapping
• Back testing VaR
• Expected shortfall and other coherent risk measures
• Extreme Value Theory (EVT)
• Modeling dependence: correlations and copulas
• Term structure models of interest rates
• Volatility: Smiles and term structures
• Fundamental Review of the Trading Book
FRM Exam Part II: This area focuses on a candidate’s understanding of credit risk management with
Credit Risk Measurement some focus given to structured finance and credit products such as collateralized
and Management | 20% debt obligations and credit derivatives. Areas of knowledge include:
• Credit analysis
• Default risk: Quantitative methodologies
• Expected and unexpected loss
• Credit VaR
• Counterparty risk
• Credit derivatives
• Structured finance and securitization
FRM Exam Part II: This area addresses a candidate’s knowledge of two areas of increasing
Operational Risk and importance for many firms — operational risk management and operational
Resiliency | 20% resilience in the face of changing market conditions. This includes:
• Principles for sound operational risk management
• Risk appetite frameworks and enterprise risk management
• Risk culture and conduct
• Analyzing and reporting operational loss data
• Model risk and model validation
• Risk-adjusted return on capital (RAROC)
• Economic capital frameworks and capital planning
• Stress testing banks
• Third-party outsourcing risk
• Risks related to money laundering and financing of terrorism
• Regulation and the Basel Accords
• Cyber risk and cyber resilience
• Operational resilience
FRM Exam Part II: This area tests a candidate’s understanding of liquidity and treasury risk
Liquidity and Treasury measurement and management techniques. These include:
Risk Measurement and • Liquidity risk principles and metrics
Management | 15% • Liquidity portfolio management
• Cash-flow modeling, liquidity stress testing, and reporting
• Contingency funding plan
• Funding models
• Funds transfer pricing
• Cross-currency funding
• Balance sheet management
• Asset liquidity
FRM Exam Part II: This area focuses on a candidate’s knowledge of risk management techniques
Risk Management and applied to the investment management process, including:
Investment Management | 15% • Factor theory
• Portfolio construction
• Portfolio risk measures
• Risk budgeting
• Risk monitoring and performance measurement
• Portfolio-based performance analysis
• Hedge funds
FRM Exam Part II: This area tests a candidate’s knowledge of current issues in financial
Current Issues in markets, including:
Financial Markets | 10% • Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and “big data”
• Risk management implications of COVID-19
• Phasing out of LIBOR/Reference rates
• Climate risk
• Cyber resiliency in the wider financial system
• Digital currencies
PAYMENT
Standard
Fees can be paid in one of three ways: by secure online payment,
February 1, 2022 –
check (if drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars), or wire
March 31, 2022
transfer. There is an additional processing fee of USD 50 if payment is
USD 750
made via check or wire.
Exam windows
ENROLLMENT FEE
Part I May 7-20, 2022
The FRM Exam requires a program enrollment fee of USD 400, which
(14-day window)
is payable when a candidate initially registers for the FRM Exam Part I.
Part II May 21-27, 2022
The enrollment fee is not charged again unless the candidate has not
(7-day window)
passed the FRM Exam Part II within four years after passing the FRM
Exam Part I.
Candidates must schedule
their exam date/select an
Other fees may apply.
exam location by April 22.
POLICIES
Standard
Get acclimated with the full list of FRM Exam deadlines and policies
August 1, 2022 –
listed online.
September 30, 2022
USD 750
LOCATIONS
View the full list of examination locations around the world on garp.org.
Exam windows
Part I Nov 5-18, 2022
ACCOMMODATIONS
(14-day window)
If applicable, request a special accommodation in accordance with the
Part II Nov 19-25, 2022
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The deadline to submit your
(7-day window)
request is February 28, 2022 for the May 2022 Exam and August 31,
2022 for the November 2022 Exam.
Candidates must
schedule their exam date/
IDENTIFICATION
select an exam location
Bring a current, valid, original, government-issued passport or driver’s
by October 21.
license bearing your photograph.
The FRM Exams Part I and Part II are offered at more than 100 exam
sites around the world. While the cities generally remain the same,
locations within each city may change from year to year. See the
complete list of locations where the Exam is offered on garp.org.
Rescheduling
FRM candidates have one opportunity to reschedule their exam
sitting to another available day/time within the current month they’re
registered in on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for
this move. For example, a candidate may reschedule once from May
10 to May 12.
Deferrals
Candidates may defer their exam registration only once to the
next available exam administration for a deferral fee of USD 200.
A deferral to the next exam month must be submitted by the last day
of registration, which is March 31 for the May Exams and September
30 for the November Exams. Please note: FRM readings are updated
every year. Deferring an Exam may require obtaining a new set of
study materials.
Preparation time will vary based on prior professional experience, academic background, and familiarity
with the curriculum’s concepts. Preparing for the Exam at the last minute is strongly discouraged.
Study Materials
• The FRM Study Guide summarizes all • The Optional Regulatory Readings contain
recommended readings for the FRM Exam. full texts of some of the Basel regulations
Key concepts are listed as bullet points at the covered in the FRM curriculum. Though not
beginning of each section and are intended to required, these are highly recommended as
help candidates identify the major themes and they provide additional insights into the context
categories associated with a section. and mechanics of the Basel regulations.
• The FRM Learning Objectives document • FRM Practice Exams offer examples of the
contains information and approximate types of questions featured on the Exam,
weightings for each broad knowledge domain allowing candidates to estimate how much time
covered by the Exam, specific curriculum they can expect to spend on each question.
readings associated with each knowledge Each practice exam contains questions, answer
domain, and learning objectives for each keys, and detailed explanations for all answers.
reading. Every FRM Exam question maps to at It is strongly recommended that candidates
least one learning objective, making this a vital replicate exam day conditions when taking a
resource that should be consulted regularly practice exam.
during exam preparation.
• A recommended Study Module offers a
• FRM Books are available digitally and in print, customizable sample framework. GARP
and cover readings and themes that make up encourages candidates to use this study
the core curriculum. Exam questions are based module as a foundation and modify it based
solely on the material in the current year’s on their study schedule and areas of strength
curriculum and Learning Objectives, making or weakness.
the books essential for exam preparation.
• The GARP Study Center app allows candidates
FRM Part I eBooks are provided to all Exam
to structure their study time, track progress,
Part I registrants.
and take practice questions.
• Additional Required Readings, available online,
supplement the books. They are a required part
of the FRM curriculum.
Available on garp.org/frm/study-materials
DR. JING LÜ
GRAMESPACHER, FRM
* Please note that GARP does not endorse, promote, review, or warrant the accuracy Senior Risk Manager
of the products or services offered by providers of FRM-related information, nor Credit Suisse
does it endorse any pass rates claimed by an EPP. Further, GARP is not responsible
for any fees or costs paid by the user to an EPP.
All clocks, watches, electronic devices, and wearable Any activity that compromises the integrity or
technology (including FitBits and Google glasses) validity of the Exam, including any activity
must be stored in a locker, storage bag, or area or misconduct before, during, or after the
designated by the proctor for personal belongings administration of the Exam, will be considered a
prior to the start of the Exam. violation of GARP’s Exam Policies. If a candidate’s
actions result in an Exam Policy Violation, the
If a candidate places his/her cellular phone into exam session will end, and the candidate may be
the locker, storage bag, or area designated by the dismissed from the exam room and site. A proctor
proctor for personal belongings, it must be turned will complete an Exam Policy Violation Report and
completely off (airplane mode is not sufficient). send the report to GARP.
Exam Results
Within six weeks of the exam window, candidates are notified via email of the availability of their exam
results. Candidates will receive only a pass/fail notification, including percentile ranges comparing their
results to those of their peers. There is no numerical score available for review.
Q. What is the difference between the FRM and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA ®)?
A. The two designations attest to different skills and aspects of a professional’s capabilities and complement
each other well. The FRM is focused on risk and tests knowledge of topics such as market risk,
operational risk, integrated risk management, valuation, risk models, and investment risk management.
The CFA provides an overview of financial topics but does not cover risk in the same depth as the FRM.
Many professionals choose to demonstrate their mutual competencies by earning both designations,
especially given the prominent role of risk management in the global financial industry.
Q. Do you offer any exemptions for either part of the FRM Exam?
A. No, we do not offer exemptions and cannot accept other designations in partial fulfillment of our
requirements. In order to obtain a true, objective representation of your risk management competency,
we cannot rely on assessments performed by other designation-granting organizations.
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