Visual breakdown of every GARP domain weight for Part 1 and Part 2, with recommended study hours, priority rankings, and the optimal study sequence.
Updated for the 2026 FRM curriculum • 250 study hours (Part 1)
Part 1 Weights
Part 1 has four domains. Financial Markets & Products and Valuation & Risk Models carry 30% each — together they account for 60% of the exam.
Total: 100% weight • 250 recommended study hours • Based on GARP's published study guide
Part 2 Weights
Part 2 spreads across six domains. Market Risk, Credit Risk, and Operational Risk carry 20% each. Current Issues is the lowest-weighted at 10% but changes annually.
Total: 100% weight • 250 recommended study hours • Hours scale linearly with domain weight
Quick Reference
Every domain across both parts in one table. Priority is based on weight — higher-weighted domains deserve more study time and earlier attention.
| Domain | Weight | Study Hours | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Risk Management | 20% | 50 | Medium |
| Quantitative Analysis | 20% | 50 | Medium |
| Financial Markets and Products | 30% | 75 | High |
| Valuation and Risk Models | 30% | 75 | High |
| Market Risk | 20% | 50 | High |
| Credit Risk | 20% | 50 | High |
| Operational Risk | 20% | 50 | High |
| Liquidity & Treasury | 15% | 37.5 | Medium |
| Risk & Investment Mgmt | 15% | 37.5 | Medium |
| Current Issues | 10% | 25 | Low |
Recommended Order
Topic order matters. Each domain builds on the previous one — follow this sequence to avoid re-learning material later. See the full study plan for a week-by-week breakdown.
Establishes the vocabulary and conceptual framework — risk governance, ERM, performance metrics — that every other domain references.
Builds the mathematical toolkit (probability, regression, simulation) you'll apply in FMP and VRM calculations.
Covers the instruments (bonds, derivatives, securitization) whose risk you'll measure next. Worth 30% — give it the most time.
Ties everything together: VaR, Expected Shortfall, Greeks, credit risk models. Requires knowledge from all three previous domains.
PrepAscend automatically allocates your practice sessions based on GARP domain weights, your strengths, and your weak spots — 1,100+ questions, spaced repetition, and an AI coach included.
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