This is an interview in a series of Interviews that EduPristine Careers will conduct. EduPristine sets up meetings with professionals/ students / other people, who have been successful in clearing FRM, and gets their views on how to succeed. EduPristine is hopeful that it will provide the readers some insight into how to crack FRM and other certification courses in finance.
Paramdeep Singh, a director with EduPristine Careers speaks to Vidur Gujral, an expert in Risk Management and Financial Markets. He secured all Q1s in the FRM Examination. Vidur has been working in the field of trading for the past 4 years. He has significant experience in Financial Markets as a trader and derivatives specialist. He has a strong background in Financial Engineering and thinks that FRM is a big plus on the resume. Vidur is a graduate of Mathematics and Economics at the undergraduate level, and Financial Engineering at the postgraduate level from University of California, LA.
Param: Tell me a brief about your background?
Vidur: Please refer to my LinkedIn profile.
Param: Why did you give the FRM exam?
Vidur: I gave the FRM exam because:
- I wanted to learn more about the financial markets
- It ties in well with my Masters
- It is a big plus on my resume.
Param: Do you think that background plays an important role in clearing FRM?
Vidur: Yes, studying for the FRM is simplified if one has prior knowledge of financial markets. If one has no prior knowledge of finance, preparing for the FRM could be a daunting task.
Param: What has been your Mantra for success?
Vidur: Hard work
Param: When did you start preparing?
Vidur: I was enrolled in the online classes with EduPristine Careers in June, but my serious preparation started two months before the exam.
Param: How much did you study?
Vidur: An average of 7 hours/ day for the last two months (This might have been excessive, but I wanted to make sure I pass). I also solved over 1500 questions.
Param: What subjects did you concentrate on?
Vidur: I focused equally on all subjects.
Param: What do you think is the best way to crack the subjects?
a. Credit Risk
b. Market Risk
c. Operational risk
d. Quantitative Analysis
e. Portfolio & hedge Funds
Vidur: Master Schweser Notes (I read though them thoroughly 3 times) and solved lots of questions. Make your own personal study notes.
Param: What books did you study for the subjects?
a. Credit Risk
b. Market Risk
c. Operational Risk
d. Quantitative Analysis
e. Portfolio & Hedge Funds
Vidur: Schweser Notes, GARP practice papers, Golden Future Education question bank
Param: What other reference material did you use while studying?
Vidur: Mentioned above.
Param: How best can EduPristine Careers be used for preparing for FRM?
Vidur: For building basic concepts that are useful in understanding the FRM material.
Param: What are your career plans after achieving the FRM certification ?
Vidur: Complete my Masters Degree, and then work in the Quantitative Finance stream.
Param: Lastly, what did you do on the final day before the exam?
Vidur: A light revision of my own self-prepared notes. Relax, Relax, Relax!.
Param: Your Advice to FRM/ Finance aspirants:
Vidur: Start early, master at least one set of study notes (preferably Schweser) and do lots of practice questions.
These FRM Interviews are presented by EduPristineCareers (Leader in FRM/ CFA®/ PRM/ FinanceTraining.
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