Final Preparation for the FRM Exam

As part of your overall study strategy for the FRM^® Exam, you’ll need to have a well-defined plan for the last weeks before the FRM Exam, which includes taking leave from your job if at all possible. Here are some other helpful tips for your final preparation:

Save at least one FRM^® practice exam for the last week.

To simulate the real exam, you should avoid looking at this exam or studying questions from it until you are ready to sit down and take it for the first time. Take this FRM Part I Mock Exam early in the final weeks. Time yourself, so you can get a feel for the time constraints and pressure of exam day.

Remember, you have an average of about 2.5 to 3 minutes per question. When you have completed the entire exam, grade your answers, and use these results to identify areas where you need to focus your study efforts over the last few days. You should devote most of your time to areas where you performed poorly, but you should also spend enough time keeping your stronger topics fresh in your mind.

Check out the exam center.

At some point during the week of the exam, it is a good idea to visit the actual exam center. Figure out how long it will take to get to your test center and where you can park. The fewer surprises and distractions you have on exam day, the better.

Are you considering earning the FRM designation? Download the free Before You Sit for the FRM^® Exam eBook for advice and tips from successful FRM professionals.

Keep calm the night before.

During the evening before the FRM Exam, it is best to avoid cramming. Try to relax, and make a concerted effort to get a good night’s sleep. Tired candidates tend to make silly mistakes on the exam. If you are not rested, you will more than likely miss easy points.

This seems like an obvious and trite point, but it is difficult to overemphasize the importance of going into the exam well-rested. If for some unfortunate reason, you do not sleep well the night before, do not panic! It happens to the best of us. Sometimes your brain cannot stop thinking about the pressures of the upcoming day. Keep in mind that you can still function and give a solid effort on exam day with just a little sleep (even though it is not recommended).

Plan for minor inconveniences.

Expect problems on exam day—not major ones, but be prepared for things like cold or hot exam rooms, excessive noise, long lines, and so on. Some of these problems you cannot control, but if you are prepared for them, they are less likely to affect your exam performance.