BT 2010 L1 Notes and Material

[Roozbeh]

Hi David,

I am planning to take the Level 1 FRM exam in May 2010. I am currently studying the new version of FRM Handbook as it is my only resource at the moment (i have just finished the quant part).
After looking at some of BT's 2008 note (pdf) samples and viewing some videos I have become interested in purchasing the Level 1 package. But my concern is that the current L1 package you guys are offering is for 2009. My first question is, if I pay for BT L1 now, can i freely access the new 2010 L1 material when they become available on your website?
Also, how valuable you see the Handbook? should i study the Handbook and wait till December when GARP introduces the 2010 study topics or should I purchase BT's 2009 L1 package and get working on that until the 2010 stuff become available?

Thank you

Roozbeh

 

[David Harper CFA FRM]

Hi Roozbeh,

Thanks for your interest ... re your first question: currently, purchase enables 1-year access; e.g., if you purchased L1 today, you'd obviously have access thru May 2010 L1 and beyond (so, yes, of course you'd have 2010 L1 access). It really depends on whether you want a "head start" with 2009 material

Re "How valuable you see the Handbook"
(you might find yesterday's comments here about the handbook useful: http://forum.bionicturtle.com/viewthread/283/)
In regard to Handbook, my view:
* 5th is essentially unchanged from 4th (a criticism of mine)
* Therefore, correlation varies with exam, better for L1 and less tight correlation to L2
* Written by Jorion, therefore, excellent & *precise* introduction. I think it is an *excellent* place to start. But too many flawed questions (a criticism I am going to keep repeating until they get fixed)
* Also good places to start: assigned Gujarati, Hull, Jorion VaR book (3rd) and Tuckman (what i call the "core" to L1; necessary but not sufficient to L1) ... I will offer this opinion: if you are rusty/fresh to the quant: I recommend the assigned Gujarati and some calculus introduction ... it amazes me how much easier some of the subsequent material can be if you are versed with some of the basics (e.g., variance and covariance properties)

Re: "should i study the Handbook and wait till December when GARP introduces the 2010 study topics or should I purchase BT’s 2009 L1 package and get working on that until the 2010 stuff become available?"
I really don't know, sorry, I'm not much a salesperson ... you don't need BT to start prep, of course ... GARP has said the new AIMS will publish in December so, until then, nobody knows exactly what new program will look like (my hunch is, since the full L1+L2 was a new format deployed late in this year, they simply will *not* introduce a lot of variation...and variation, by definition, should predominate in the L2 like current issues).

David

 

[thirteen]

Hi David,

I plan to take FRM L1 in 2010. I have just started through Jorion 4th edn, and Hull-7th edn.

Would request you to tell what chapters of Jorion and Hull are applicable for Level-1.

Many Thanks,

 

[Maderix]

Just to let you know the study guide is published. I don't see too many changes except for example a new Madoff Chapter and some changes in current issues in financial markets

http://www.garp.com/frmexam/download/2010FRMStudyGuide.pdf

 

[amvantagev8]

Hi David,

I passed Level 1 and I'd like to continue with Level 2 as soon as possible. When will you start posting the screencasts, notes and sample questions for Level 2, 2010?
Also, how much will it cost to upgrade from Level 1 access to Level 2 access to Bionic Turtle?

Thanks again for the great Level 1 content ! I wouldn't have been able to pass without it.

regards
Melle