Rating: ★★★★★
Bionic turtle One of the first FRM preparation providers to offer instruction with video and e-learning tools. Founded in 2004 by David Harper, the owner writes practice test questions and tests them on the world’s most active FRM forum, creating Bionic Turtle.
The company’s goal is to provide high quality materials at a reasonable price. Study planners, study notes, instructional videos, practice questions and student forums provide a well-rounded package that prepares you for the FRM exam.
PROS
1. Instructional video
Bionic Turtle’s videos focus on the most important concepts and distill the more complex ones to make them easier to understand. FRM requires a high degree of quantitative skills. Many concepts are difficult to understand without visual demonstration, so videos help you understand the material better.
Its high quality videos are colorful and well designed. Complex concepts are explained in a simple and clear language and a yellow “spotlight” that moves over words and concepts helps direct your attention to specific points.
2. Excellent study material
Its study planner helps you create a personalized plan and gives you an easy way to bookmark resources The study planner is also searchable if you are looking for information on a specific topic. FRM study materials include daily questions, videos, learning spreadsheets, study notes, focus review videos, quizzes, and practice question sets. You can view free samples of all materials on the company’s website.
3. Question Bank
Large practice question database contains thousands of practice questions that are constantly updated (often by founder David Harper himself). You can find thousands of questions on forums, or you can choose packaged question sets that come with paid courses. Question sets come in PDF bundles.
4. Huge community forum
You will have ample opportunities to connect with other FRM aspirants thanks to the 30,000+ community forum that Bionic Turtle is famous for. The BionicTurtle Forum, which has been running for almost 10 years, has 3 main categories: Office, Financial Risk Manager and FRM Practice Questions. The first two are free for everyone, but practice questions can only be accessed by subscribers.
Office area posts announcements and daily practice questions. Financial Risk Manager includes a group of separate forums that cover basic information about FRM, and more specific forum domains dedicated to the individual elements covered in the test and how they are weighted. FRM Practice Questions Forum (locked until you purchase the course) includes practice questions and solutions.
5. Price
Bionic Turtle is one of the more affordable FRM prep courses. Considering the number of options and time allowed to access the program, Bionic Turtle’s courses offer the best overall value among the courses we reviewed. You can visit their discount page to submit a request for additional discounts if you qualify (full-time students, Bionic Turtles or other product purchases from another company).
6. Access for 1 year
One of the most attractive features of Bionic Turtle’s platform is that you get access to materials for a full year. If you make a study plan and stick to it, it should be more than enough time. A three month extension is available for an additional fee. I highly recommend that you do Sign up for a free trial Get a first-hand look at their study materials.
cons
1. No hard copy materials
All study materials are available electronically, and there is no option to purchase a hard copy textbook. Materials can be downloaded and printed, but this can be cumbersome.
2. Does not include all Garp curriculum
Some of the resources and readings that appear in the GARP curriculum are not included in the Bionic Turtles course of study. This is a deliberate choice on the part of the company. Bionic Turtle does not review every reading in the GARP syllabus because there are so many concepts in the FRM syllabus that there is no way that every concept will be tested during the exam. Readings also often vary from one test to the next. Bionic Turtle instead focuses on the most important concepts and practices.
ideal user
Bionic Turtle FRM offers an efficient and effective review course for clients who already have some experience in the field. If you have a lot of experience, Bionic Turtle’s review course may be the only resource.
However, you may want to use GARP core books and other study materials in addition to Bionic Turtle, especially if you are looking for a more comprehensive and comprehensive review that includes all the recommended readings and concepts. In other words, if you are not that familiar with the subjects and lack some experience, you may prefer to supplement the Bionic Turtle review course with other study aids.
my suggestion
Students enrolled in one of Bionic Turtle’s review courses spoke highly of the materials and gave the company a lot of credit for helping them pass the FRM exam. The forum is a great resource that you should check out. There is a wealth of information on tests, study hints, practice questions and other useful techniques that are sure to cover everything.
The study notes and videos are also excellent and really help you focus on the most important concepts. I highly recommend this course to anyone who has a good foundation and is serious about passing the FRM exam on their first try!
pricing
Basic course
Price: $249/year for Part 1 or Part 2; $399/year for both Part 1 and Part 2.
Includes: Full forum access, question sets, and study notes.
Higher Courses
Price: $349/year for Part 1 or Part 2; $599/year for both Part 1 and Part 2.
Includes: Full forum access, question sets, study notes, instructional videos and interactive quizzes.
Professional course
Price: $449/year for Part 1 or Part 2; $799/year for both Part 1 and Part 2.
Includes: full forum access, question sets, study notes, instructional videos, interactive quizzes, focus review videos, and learning spreadsheets.
