A realistic FRM plan runs about a year and roughly 400 hours, taking Part I first and finishing each part with full timed mocks. Plan around GARP’s exam windows rather than a fixed calendar.
| Stage | Focus | Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Part I, months 1-2 | Foundations + Quantitative Analysis | You can apply core probability and statistics |
| Part I, months 3-4 | Financial Markets and Products + Valuation and Risk Models | You can compute and interpret Value at Risk |
| Part I, final weeks | Full timed multiple-choice mocks | You score comfortably above target |
| Part II, months 5-7 | Market, Credit, Operational, Liquidity risk | You can measure and manage each risk type |
| Part II, month 8 | Investment management + Current Issues | You can apply risk thinking to portfolios |
| Part II, final weeks | Full timed mocks + weak-area revision | You consistently pass timed papers |
Final-weeks tips
For each part, switch from learning to full-length, timed multiple-choice mocks to build stamina for the four-hour paper. Review every missed question back to the model or formula it tests. Confirm exam dates, fees and the current curriculum with GARP.