We cover the complete syllabus given by GARP in our preparation modules. Given below is an index of the same.
Part 1: Quantitative Analysis
- Understanding of Descriptive and Inferential Statistics.
- A flavor of probability, distribution like Normal distribution, lognormal distribution, Chi-square distribution etc. for statistical testing and application.
- Understanding of how to apply regression and time series analysis in risk management and forecasting ex-ante risk..
- Weightage of this section is 20%
Part 2: Foundation of Risk Management
- Portfolio construction : Here, we’ll learn to construct an efficient portfolio. We’ll discuss the concept like Harry Markowitz's efficient frontier and Capital asset pricing model. This subsection gives a glimpse of risk - return trade off with different financial ratios like Sharpe Ratio, Treynor ratio and others.
- GARP code of conduct (Ethics) : Ethics is a very important ingredient of financial risk manager. GARP code of conduct helps candidates to understand the do's and don’ts in the financial world.
- Financial disasters and case study : This subsection highlights some past mishappening in the financial world, helps students to understand each case to save the financial world from future financial disasters like ENRON and LTCM. Understanding of the Ponzi scheme and incorrect approach in financial risk management is also covered.
- Arbitrage pricing theory : It is an important concept to price any financial instrument on the planet. Once understood properly this will be leveraged in pricing of derivative and bonds in other sections of FRM level 1.
Part 3: Financial market and Products
- It's one of the most complex and voluminous sections. It stands at a whooping weight of 30%. As the name suggests, this section helps to understand the basics of Financial market instruments like future, forward, equity options, swaps and fixed Income.
- This section does not talk much about equity but delves in the discussion of the derivative products on equity and other instruments.
- Candidates need to understand the pricing, payoffs and features of the financial instruments properly to score well in this section.
Part 4: Valuation and Risk Models
What you learn:
- This section is all about Value at risk and extreme measure of risk like Expected shortfall and unexpected loss. Candidates will develop a good understanding of stress testing, scenario analysis, which is one of the key features in calibrating regulatory risk and Enterprise level risk.
- This section is also embedded with the concept of bond and option valuation. The weightage to this section is 30%.
- This section can further be segregated into the following -
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Valuation : Discuss some of the most interesting valuation concept of options like binomial model, BSM model etc. This section gives you a glimpse of Greeks in option and bond valuation.
- Risk management: Make you familiar with the concept like VAR, Estimated Shortfall and Stress testing. This subsection is discussed in FRM level 2 in a very exhaustive manner.