What is FRM? A complete FRM course eligibility and course details

Finance is crucial to the operation and performance of organizations and top-level businesses. The role that finance and its management play serves as a crucial catalyst for the expansion and sustained improvement of the firm. For individuals in the finance industry, FRM is one of the best courses in India and one of the most preferred courses that may help you obtain the appropriate job or earn the promotion you've been looking for. Financial Risk Manager, or FRM, as it is abbreviated, is one such course that is part of the industry's premier qualification in finance. It is one of the most prestigious risk management credentials and helps a person obtain insights into the financial world, which makes him a wanted risk professional in the global association of risk management.
In this blog, we'll provide all the information you need about the FRM Course, from its curriculum and costs to the course's scope and requirements for membership. 

Key Takeaways

• What is the FRM course?

• Who Should Pursue FRM Course?

• Eligibility Criteria for FRM

• FRM Certification Process

Who Should Pursue the FRM Course?

An FRM course is appropriate for you if you:
Are you a  students who is looking to build your resume for a profession in the risk or financial markets industry
Wish to change from another domain to the Risk Management domain. Without pursuing a traditional academic degree in the field, this certification will open up several prospects for you in the field of risk management.
Want to learn more about risk, financial products and markets, and risk management tools (You get a broad understanding of financial risk management course that you may use in various jobs across businesses like risk management professionals).

 

Eligibility Criteria for FRM

There are no prerequisites for taking the FRM Exams, a graduate student in their first year of college is also qualified to take the FRM Part 1 exam. However, there are a few requirements that a candidate should meet to receive the FRM certification.
To be qualified to become certified as a financial risk manager:
The applicant must hold an undergraduate degree in a field related to finance or in any other field with appropriate work experience linked to financial risk management.
Within four years of applying for the Part 1 test, you must have passed Levels 1 and 2 of the FRM Program.
The applicant must complete both parts of the FRM Exam—Part I and Part II—in the allotted time and in chronological order.
Within five years of passing the Part 2 test, you must have at least two years of experience working in Financial Risk Management and then you become a FRM.

 

FRM Certification Process

The following procedures must be taken by potential candidates to earn the professional certification required to become a Financial Risk Manager:

• By generating a registration ID and paying the FRM costs, candidates must register for GARP membership and the FRM Exam Part I using the "New Candidate" method.
• The applicants will have access to their GARP accounts and be able to book their exams after the FRM costs have been successfully paid.
• For the exact exam date of application, candidates can choose from more than 100 test cities worldwide.
• Through the candidate's GARP account, study materials for FRM are also accessible online. It contains test papers, official texts, and study guides.
• The cost of the FRM books, which must be purchased in addition to the FRM fees, goes toward the entire cost of FRM certification.
• Before choosing to take the FRM Exam Part II, candidates must pass the FRM Exam Part I. If a candidate chooses to take both examinations on the same day, the Part II scores will only be determined if the individual passes the Part I exam.
  
• After passing FRM Part I, applicants have up to 4 years to attempt and pass FRM Part II. 
• Candidates must demonstrate and then document a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience. The applicant must complete this within five years after their Part II FRM exam date.
• After candidates provide proof of the necessary work experience, certification will be granted. Through ongoing professional development, candidates may preserve the value of their FRM certification.

FRM Exam

The FRM examinations (both parts) are given twice a year on the third Saturday of May and November. However, the two exams may be taken on the same day. The exam consists of two sections, each lasting four hours, and both have multiple-choice questions. The tools used to analyze financial risk are covered in Part I. Fundamental risk management, quantitative analysis, risk and value models, financial markets, and financial products are all included in this.
Application of the tools outlined in Part-I is connected to FRM Exam Part II. It covers managing investments, managing credit, market, operational, and integrated risks, as well as current market challenges. 
The following table includes the FRM exam pattern for both sections.

Specifics	Exam Part 1	Exam Part 2
No. of Question	100 MCQ	100 MCQ
Duration	4 Hours	4 Hours
Timings	Morning	Afternoon

Study FRM in India

Several institutions across the nation offer coaching for the FRM course. The following is a list of some of the well-known Indian institutions that offer FRM course coaching to applicants. In terms of the best FRM course for them, aspirants have a variety of alternatives to select from.
1. NorthStar Academy
2. Share Market Solutions
3. JK Academy of Professional Excellence 
4. Skillfin Learning
5. Excel Strategies 
6. Seair Exim Solutions
7. Vruddhi Vikas Group
8. Bhakoo Training Institute Pvt. Ltd.
9. EMS Share Market Classes
10. Toppers Trading Institute for Share Market

 

Study FRM Abroad

The FRM certification is widely recognized across the world, allowing students to pursue it overseas. The best FRM institutions worldwide are listed below:
1. Coventry University, UK
2. Birmingham City University, UK
3. University of Leeds, UK
4. University of New South Wales, Australia
5. Ohio State University, USA
6. University of Toronto, Canada
7. La Trobe University, Australia
8. University of Limerick, Ireland
9. Pace University, USA
10. University of Michigan – Ann Arbour, USA

 

Fee Structure for FRM

The overall cost of the Financial Risk Manager includes the cost of the FRM exam, the cost of enrollment, the cost of GARP membership, and the cost of FRM books and study materials. For first-time applicants and repeat candidates, there are different FRM exam costs and registration expenses. Only FRM Part I is available for new applicants to register for, and the FRM costs include both the application and the exam. Returning applicants, on the other hand, are only required to pay the FRM exam fee; they are excused from paying the registration cost.
Exam Fees for FRM (FRM Part I/Part II)

Registration	Enrollment Fee	Early	Standard
Exam Part 1	USD $400	USD $550	USD $750
Exam Part 2	NA	USD $550	USD $750

Although it is not required to be a GARP member in order to take the FRM Exam, candidates can afterward decide whether or not to keep their membership.

FRM Fees: GARP Membership Fee

Members Type	GARP Membership Fee
Individual member	USD $195
Certified FRM/ERP	USD $195

Candidates can use online options, wire transfers, and checks to pay the FRM certification fee. Only online payment options, such as MasterCard, Visa, or Amex Check, are accepted for overseas applicants. 

Syllabus & Subjects for FRM

The organizing body, GARP, has made the FRM syllabus available, which includes the numerous topics for both Part I and Part II. The two FRM exams have different syllabuses; Part-I is more focused on the various techniques used to assess financial risk, while Part II covers themes related to the usage and application of these instruments.
In the tables below, the official syllabus for each of the FRM examinations is listed.

Exam Part 1

Area of Study	Topic	Weightage
Foundations of Risk Management(FRM)	• Basic risk types  • Measurement and management tools   • Creating value with risk management  • The role of risk management in corporate governance  • Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)  • Financial disasters and risk management failures  • The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)  • Risk-adjusted performance measurement  • Multifactor models  • Data aggregation and risk reporting  • Ethics and the GARP code of conduct	20%
Quantitative Analysis (QA)	• Discrete and continuous probability distributions  • Estimating the parameters of distributions  • Population and sample statistics  • Bayesian analysis  • Statistical inference and hypothesis testing  • Estimating correlation and volatility using EWMA and GARCH models  • Volatility term structures  • Correlations and copulas  • Linear regression and single and multiple regressors  • Time series analysis and forecasting  • Simulation methods	20%
Financial Markets and Products (FMP)	• Structure and functions of financial institutions  • Structure and mechanics of 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	30%
Valuation and Risk Models (VRM)	• Value-at-Risk (VaR)  • Expected shortfall (ES)  • 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	30%

Exam Part 2

Area of Study	Topic	Weightage
Market Risk Measurement and Management (MR)	• VaR and other risk measures  • Parametric and non-parametric methods of estimation  • VaR mapping  • Backtesting VaR  • ES and other coherent risk measures  • Modeling dependence: correlations and copulas   • Term structure models of interest rates  • Volatility: smiles and term structures	25%
Credit Risk Measurement and Management (CR)	• Credit analysis  • Default risk: quantitative methodologies  • Expected and unexpected loss  • Credit VaR  • Counterparty risk  • Credit derivatives  • Structured finance and securitization	25%
Operational and Integrated Risk Management (OR)	• Principles for sound operational risk management  • ERM and enterprise-wide risk governance  • IT infrastructure and data quality  • Internal and external operational loss data  • Methods of determining operational risk capital for regulatory purposes  • Model risk and model validation  • Extreme value theory (EVT)  • Risk-adjusted return on capital (RAROC)  • Economic capital frameworks and capital planning  • Liquidity risk measurement and management  • Failure mechanics of dealer banks  • Stress testing banks  • Third-party outsourcing risk  • Risks related to money laundering and financing of terrorism  • Regulation and the Basel Accords	25%
Risk Management and Investment Management (IM)	• Factor theory  • Portfolio construction  • Portfolio risk measures  • Risk budgeting  • Risk monitoring and performance measurement  • Portfolio-based performance analysis  • Hedge funds	15%
Current Issues in Financial Markets (CI)	• Credit loss provisioning, IFRS 9/CECL  • Machine learning and ‘big data’  • Central clearing and risk transformation  • The failure of covered interest rate parity  • FinTech credit  • Corporate culture	10%

Why Choose FRM Course?

A professional certification like the FRM will open doors not just nationally but also internationally. Obtaining certification can have a significant impact on the average salary of FRM, benefits, and bonuses.
Because of the challenges of obtaining this certification, getting it also shows that you are competent, proficient, and dedicated to your work.
This course includes only two main sections and may be finished within a year, depending on the student's ability and time availability.
Additionally, licensed experts often upgrade their knowledge and abilities. Many employers look for this additional benefit. 

What Does an FRM Graduate Do?

The financial risk manager certification program is a top-tier qualification that grants you specialized knowledge and skills in the field of financial risk management. It offers several career options in a variety of industries, including risk management, trading, structuring, and modelling. A financial risk analyst is in charge of formalizing risk management inside a company. Making business judgements and simplifying the process of taking risks fall under this category. Analysts of credit risk assess the company's vulnerability to the risk that its customers will stop making payments for products or services or will default on loans.
Preparation Tips for FRM Course
When choosing to pursue an FRM degree, students should take into account a number of recommendations. Below are some crucial study tips to make sure students breeze through the curriculum and ace their exams.
Become familiar with the FRM topics - In order to stay current in the constantly evolving financial business, the FRM topics and weights change from year to year. It would be ideal to have a basic understanding of each of these areas' concepts. Your response options will be more constricted, and it will be easier for you to find the pertinent material in long questions if you have some fundamental knowledge.
Revise Methodically - To get high scores, revision is essential. The secret to doing well on the final exam can be found in periodic revision. Keep practicing and making sure you fully comprehend the material. 
Set up a meticulous study plan - For each portion of the FRM certification, you must dedicate more than 240 hours of study time. You can complete the course material by creating a study schedule and following it. Pay special attention to the main points and comprehend the importance of each subject.
Make use of sample questions and practice tests - By completing practice tests, you may improve your ability to apply your knowledge and give accurate answers to exam questions. Additionally, you will locate any weak points or knowledge gaps and make the appropriate corrections.
Join top Academy - You should always seek out all-inclusive and experienced mentors to get precise guidance. Enrolling at the NorthStar Academy for FRM course, an acclaimed study partner of the GARP material will benefit the candidates in a number of ways. You can get the assistance you need, with the best and most relevant study material severalTo sever

Scope For Higher Education

Graduate students with an FRM certification have a wide range of higher education alternatives at their disposal, which can help in their comprehension of the topic. Additionally, if a student is interested in a job in research, further education might assist them in doing so. Some of the well-liked higher education alternatives for students are listed below:

• MBA
• CFA
• CMA

Salary of an FRM Graduate

The FRM Salary in India is affected by the number of years of experience, as are the salaries for other job roles. A person's salary is determined by a number of factors. Experience, location, and the sector they operate in are all variables that may impact the FRM compensation in India. Graduates can boost their income by participating in internships and job placements, which will broaden their experience. For graduates, the typical FRM job compensation is between INR 5 and7 LPA.

Career Options After FRM Graduation

An FRM would be most effective in financial risk management positions. However, a strong experience in risk management may open doors for many additional jobs; here, we just touch upon a few of them. For those interested in a career in the humanities and social sciences, there are many job opportunities accessible. Depending on the specialization a person chooses, different employment roles will apply.
Graduates of FRM programs have a wide range of employment options with competitive pay packages in the following industries:

• Risk Quantification Manager
• Enterprise Risk Manager
• Risk Manager
• Market Risk Specialists
• Credit Risk Specialists

Skills to Scaleup in FRM Jobs

Financial Risk Management is abbreviated as FRM. For FRM course graduates to excel in their employment, they must possess various complex and soft skills. Students may not always be able to learn these abilities in a traditional classroom setting. These are rather the kinds of abilities that you gain via practice. To gather as much experience as they can, students should always make an attempt to step outside of their comfort zone.
Among these abilities are:

• Quantitative Analysis Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Research Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• The Ability to Work Under Pressure

Conclusion

The Financial Risk Manager (FRM) course provides a profitable opportunity for people looking to further their careers in finance and risk management. Pursuing the FRM certification can open doors to a wide range of employment opportunities because of its extensive curriculum, global reputation, and attractive earnings. 

NorthStar Academy equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their chosen field. Invest in your future with NorthStar Academy and take the first step towards a rewarding career in finance and accounting.
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