{"id":3456,"date":"2024-12-12T20:44:51","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T02:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/?p=3456"},"modified":"2026-06-19T08:49:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:49:19","slug":"frm-pass-rate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/frm-pass-rate\/","title":{"rendered":"FRM\u00ae Pass Rates: How Hard is the FRM\u00ae Exam?"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you&#8217;re considering the right career path for you, it&#8217;s natural to look for something you&#8217;re passionate about\u2014and let&#8217;s face it, a six-figure salary doesn&#8217;t hurt.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve stumbled across the world of financial risk management, you may be interested in joining nearly<a href=\"https:\/\/www.garp.org\/frm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> 100,000<\/a> other professionals from over 190 countries and regions across the globe.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But there&#8217;s an important question to ask first: how hard is it to pass the FRM\u00ae exams?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The easiest way to figure that out? Take a look at the FRM\u00ae pass rate data.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;ll break down historical and modern FRM\u00ae pass rates, what makes the exams so challenging in the first place, and how you can prepare to succeed.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>The FRM Exam Is Challenging:<\/strong> With average pass rates of 47% for Part I and 57% for Part II, success requires serious preparation and dedication.<\/li> <li><strong>Broad and Detailed Syllabus:<\/strong> Topics range from quantitative analysis to operational risk, testing both your foundational knowledge and practical application skills.<\/li> <li><strong>Two Parts, Two Focus Areas:<\/strong> Part I emphasizes technical fundamentals, while Part II tests applied knowledge in risk measurement and management.<\/li> <li><strong>Historical Pass Rates Vary:<\/strong> Part I\u2019s pass rate has ranged from 39% to 56%, and Part II\u2019s from 50% to 63%, showing fluctuations in difficulty over time.<\/li> <li><strong>Preparation Is Key:<\/strong> Consistent study, practice exams, and understanding real-world applications can dramatically improve your chances of passing.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-historical-frm-exam-pass-rates-at-a-glance\"><strong>Historical FRM\u00ae Exam Pass Rates at a Glance<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To give you a clearer picture of how challenging the FRM exams are, here\u2019s a breakdown of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.garp.org\/hubfs\/Website\/FRM\/PDF\/FRM_PassRates_011024.pdf\">historical<\/a> pass rates for both Part I and Part II. These figures highlight the range of difficulty and overall trends since 2010.<\/p> <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang=\"en\"> <head> <meta charset=\"UTF-8\"> <meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\"> <title>Interactive Table<\/title> <style> body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 20px; background-color: #ffffff; } table { margin: 20px auto; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff; box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; border: none; width: 80%; } th, td { padding: 12px 15px; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-weight: bold; } th { background-color: #0C66B2; color: #ffffff; } tr { transition: background-color 0.2s; } tr:hover { background-color: #f1f1f1; } <\/style> <\/head> <body> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Exam Part<\/th> <th>2024 Average Pass Rate<\/th> <th>Lowest Pass Rate<\/th> <th>Highest Pass Rate<\/th> <th>Overall Average Pass Rate<\/th> <\/tr> <\/thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Part I<\/td> <td>56%<\/td> <td>39%<\/td> <td>56%<\/td> <td>47%<\/td> <\/tr> <tr> <td>Part II<\/td> <td>52%<\/td> <td>50%<\/td> <td>63%<\/td> <td>57%<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/body> <\/html> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-takeaways\"><strong>Takeaways:<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Part I:<\/strong> Known for its technical depth and broad coverage, it has historically been the tougher exam, with an average pass rate of <strong>47%<\/strong>.<\/li> <li><strong>Part II:<\/strong> Although focused on application, it sees a slightly higher success rate, averaging <strong>57%<\/strong> overall.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These stats underline the challenge and show that many candidates succeed with the right preparation!<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-makes-the-frm-exam-challenging\"><strong>What Makes the FRM Exam Challenging?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FRM certification is globally recognized in the world of financial risk management, and its rigor reflects that. The exam is split into two parts, each covering highly technical material. Here\u2019s why many candidates find the FRM difficult:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Broad Subject Coverage:<\/strong> The syllabus spans everything from quantitative analysis to market risk measurement to operational risk and resilience.<\/li> <li><strong>High Level of Detail:<\/strong> The questions often test your understanding of FRM concepts and your ability to apply them to real-world scenarios.<\/li> <li><strong>Pass Rates Tell the Story:<\/strong> With average pass rates between 47% for Part I and 57% for Part II, it&#8217;s obvious that there&#8217;s a high level of exam difficulty.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-tips-for-passing-the-frm-exam\">6 <strong>Tips for Passing the FRM Exam<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passing the FRM exams is possible with the right approach. Here are some actionable tips:<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-understand-the-minimum-passing-score-mps\"><strong>1. Understand the Minimum Passing Score (MPS)<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MPS isn\u2019t officially disclosed by GARP (the exam administrator), but it varies by exam version. It\u2019s likely in the 60%-70% range, meaning you don\u2019t need a perfect score\u2014just enough to outperform many candidates.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-create-a-study-plan\"><strong>2. Create a Study Plan<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Give yourself enough time to cover the material thoroughly. On average, students spend around<a href=\"https:\/\/www.garp.org\/frm\/program-exams\"> 240<\/a> hours studying per part. For Part I, 200-300 hours of study is recommended. For Part II, plan for 200-250 hours.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-use-practice-exams-and-mock-exams\"><strong>3. Use Practice Exams and Mock Exams<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practice is key to success. Work through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/frm-sample-questions\/\">FRM practice questions<\/a> and take mock exams under timed conditions. These help you get comfortable with the format and identify weak areas.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And pay close attention to errors: why did you get question 27 wrong? Did you truly not know the answer? Did you go against your gut? Did you misread the question? Identifying why you make mistakes is as important, if not more important, than knowing which mistakes you make.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-focus-on-high-weight-topics\"><strong>4. Focus on High-Weight Topics<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Part I, prioritize Financial Markets and Products (30%) and Valuation and Risk Models (30%). For Part II, devote extra time to Market Risk, Credit Risk, and Operational Risk (20% each).<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-master-multiple-choice-questions\"><strong>5. Master Multiple-Choice Questions<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both exams are comprised entirely of multiple-choice questions. I had a friend who could take a test she knew very little about, pass, and land in the top scores. How? She understood MCQs. She knew the structure and could identify what the writers were looking for by looking for little clues in the writing. And the best news? It&#8217;s a skill you can learn yourself.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a fantastic<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/MULTIPLE-CHOICE-TEST-TAKING-STRATEGIES.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> resource<\/a> to check out to begin your MCQ guru journey!<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-seek-support\"><strong>6. Seek Support<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Study Groups:<\/strong> Collaborate with other candidates to share insights and resources.<\/li> <li><strong>Study Guides:<\/strong> Invest in high-quality study materials that explain concepts clearly.<\/li> <li><strong>Coaching:<\/strong> If you\u2019re struggling, consider working with a tutor or taking a preparatory course.<\/li> <li><strong>Therapy:<\/strong> <em>&#8220;Seriously?&#8221;<\/em> Yes! This is stressful, and caring for your mental health will be crucial.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-succeeds-on-the-frm-exams\"><strong>Who Succeeds on the FRM Exams?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FRM isn\u2019t for everyone, and that\u2019s okay. Success depends on your study habits, test-taking skills, and dedication. Here\u2019s an honest breakdown:<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-great-candidates-for-the-frm\"><strong>Great Candidates for the FRM<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Top Students:<\/strong> If you\u2019ve excelled academically, especially in finance, economics, or quantitative fields, you\u2019ll find the material challenging but manageable.<\/li> <li><strong>Hard Workers:<\/strong> Even if you weren\u2019t at the top of your class, a solid work ethic and a good study plan can bridge the gap. I truly believe that most candidates who are willing to put in the hours can succeed, even if it takes a few tries.<\/li> <li><strong>Professionals in the Field:<\/strong> Those with experience in risk management, finance, or related fields often have a head start. After all, those questions they&#8217;re asking? You&#8217;ve actually <em>done <\/em>them.<\/li> <\/ul> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-might-struggle\"><strong>Who Might Struggle?<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Poor Test-Takers:<\/strong> The FRM exams are known for their tricky multiple-choice questions and require quick thinking under pressure. I firmly believe that test-taking ability is <em>not <\/em>indicative of intelligence. However, if you and exams don&#8217;t click, this could be stressful and expensive for you.<\/li> <li><strong>Unprepared Candidates:<\/strong> If you don\u2019t dedicate enough time to study or rely on last-minute cramming, passing will be tough, even if you&#8217;re normally an outstanding test-taker. This isn&#8217;t a college final that you can study a week for and pass.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-encouragement-for-nervous-test-takers\"><strong>Encouragement for Nervous Test-Takers<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re feeling unsure because you weren\u2019t a straight-A student, don\u2019t let that discourage you. Plenty of FRM candidates who started in the middle of the pack have gone on to earn their certification. The key is consistent effort and belief in your ability to improve.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s why you shouldn\u2019t give up:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Pass Rates Improve with Preparation:<\/strong> Many candidates who fail the first time pass on their second attempt.<\/li> <li><strong>It\u2019s Not About Perfection:<\/strong> You don\u2019t need to score 100%; just focus on mastering the material enough to pass.<\/li> <li><strong>The Reward Is Worth It:<\/strong> Becoming an FRM can open doors to prestigious roles in risk management, investment management, and beyond.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion-can-you-pass-the-frm-exams\"><strong>Conclusion: Can You Pass the FRM Exams?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FRM exams are hard\u2014there\u2019s no sugarcoating it. But with the right study plan, resources, and mindset, you can succeed. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned professional or someone stepping into the world of financial risk management for the first time, success comes down to how much effort you\u2019re willing to put in.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, ask yourself: Do you have the determination to commit to the process? If the answer is yes, then go for it. Start with small, consistent steps, and before you know it, you\u2019ll be well on your way to earning your FRM certification.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good luck, and remember\u2014you\u2019ve got this!<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1734000116283\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How difficult is the FRM exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The FRM exam is known for being tough. It covers complex topics in financial risk management, and the pass rates are relatively low, reflecting its difficulty. To succeed, you&#8217;ll need to prepare thoroughly and have a strong grasp of the concepts. It\u2019s not an exam you can cram for\u2014consistent study and practice are key to mastering the material.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1734000123928\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the passing score for the FRM exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">GARP does not disclose the exact passing score, but it is estimated to be between 60% and 70%. Your goal should be to score as high as possible to confidently exceed the minimum.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1734000130380\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is FRM Part II harder than Part I?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Many candidates find Part II harder due to its focus on applying concepts to real-world scenarios. However, Part I often feels more technical and intense for first-timers.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1734000136431\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is the FRM exam multiple-choice?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, both Part I and Part II are entirely multiple-choice. However, the questions are highly analytical and require deep understanding, not just memorization.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1734000144587\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is FRM more difficult than CFA\u00ae?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The FRM and CFA\u00ae exams are both challenging but in different ways. FRM focuses on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/financial-risk-management\/\">financial risk management<\/a>, while the CFA\u00ae has a broader scope in investment management. Which is harder depends on your background and career focus.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you&#8217;re considering the right career path for you, it&#8217;s natural to look for something you&#8217;re passionate about\u2014and let&#8217;s face it, a six-figure salary doesn&#8217;t hurt. If you&#8217;ve stumbled across the world of financial risk management, you may be interested in joining nearly 100,000 other professionals from over 190 countries and regions across the globe. [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3458,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,244],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-finance"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/FRM-Pass-Rate-1-768x427.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>FRM\u00ae Pass Rates: How Hard is the FRM\u00ae Exam?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how hard the FRM\u00ae exam really is! Learn about the FRM\u00ae pass rate, challenges, and tips to ace the exams (even if you aren&#039;t a gifted test-taker!).\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/frm-pass-rate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FRM\u00ae Pass Rates: How Hard is the FRM\u00ae Exam?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover how hard the FRM\u00ae exam really is! Learn about the FRM\u00ae pass rate, challenges, and tips to ace the exams (even if you aren&#039;t a gifted test-taker!).\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/frm-pass-rate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kansas City Star - Careers &amp; Education\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-13T02:44:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-19T14:49:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/12\/FRM-Pass-Rate-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"7501\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"4170\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"image\":false,\"name\":null,\"jobTitle\":\"Writer\",\"url\":false,\"description\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"FRM\u00ae Pass Rates: How Hard is the FRM\u00ae Exam?\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-13T02:44:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-19T14:49:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1509,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/7\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/FRM-Pass-Rate-1.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Careers &amp; Education\",\"Finance\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/\",\"name\":\"FRM\u00ae Pass Rates: How Hard is the FRM\u00ae Exam?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/frm-pass-rate\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.kansascity.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/7\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/FRM-Pass-Rate-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-13T02:44:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-19T14:49:19+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"description\":\"Discover how hard the FRM\u00ae exam really is! 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