How Long is the FRM Exam? Duration, Breaks, and What to Expect
- Kateryna Myrko
- Oct 4
- 4 min read
Planning your FRM® exam day is mostly about timing: how long you’ll be in the seat, how breaks work, and what procedures to expect. Below is a concise, professional guide based on the latest official policies. How Long is the FRM Exam
Exam length and structure How Long is the FRM Exam
The FRM Program has two parts: Part I and Part II.
Duration: 4 hours per part, delivered via computer-based testing (CBT).
Format: Multiple-choice questions throughout.
Part I: 100 questions
Part II: 80 questions
Quick comparison
Part | Question count | Duration | Format |
FRM Part I | 100 | 4 hours | MCQ, CBT |
FRM Part II | 80 | 4 hours | MCQ, CBT |
What this means for pacing:
Part I: ~2.4 minutes per question.
Part II: ~3.0 minutes per question.
These are averages; you’ll naturally spend more time on some items than others.
Breaks and timekeeping
Breaks are permitted, but the exam clock does not stop. Any time you spend away from your workstation comes out of your 4-hour allotment.
Take your ID with you if you step away.
The on-screen clock is the official timekeeper. Keep an eye on it and plan checkpoints (e.g., every 30–60 minutes) to confirm you’re on pace.
Practical tip: Budget the last 5–10 minutes to review and submit your answers. Only final, submitted responses are graded.
What to expect at the test center
Arrival and admission
Arrive early. If you arrive after the start time stated in your appointment confirmation, you will not be admitted and you will forfeit your exam fee.
Check-in and desk setup
Keep these on your desk for the entire exam:
Your printed Confirmation of Appointment email.
Your original, valid, non-expired government-issued passport or driver’s license (physical ID, not digital).
The test center provides two sheets of scratch paper and a pencil. These must remain on your desk and will be collected and destroyed at the end.
Personal items and electronics
No personal belongings are allowed in the exam room. Lockers/storage are provided, but you cannot access them during the exam.
No watches or electronic devices at the workstation or on your person.
Ensure any stored phone or device is completely powered off. If a device makes noise—even in a locker—your exam can be terminated and not graded.
Approved calculators only
Bring one of the following business calculators (no exceptions). Non-approved models may lead to disqualification.
Hewlett Packard 12C family (including Platinum and anniversary editions)
Texas Instruments BA II Plus (including BA II Plus Professional)
HP 10BII / 10BII+ / 20B
Fresh batteries are strongly recommended.
Scheduling and same-day sitting
The FRM exam is offered in May, August, and November each year. Seating is first-come, first-served by location.
Same-day sitting of Part I and Part II is available only in August.
In May and November, you cannot sit both parts on the same day, though you can still take both parts in the same administration window (e.g., Part I on one day, Part II on another day in the same window).
Time-management blueprint
A solid pacing plan reduces stress and preserves accuracy:
First pass (bank the easy points): Move quickly through questions you can answer confidently. Mark tougher ones and keep momentum.
Targeted second pass: Return to flagged items with your remaining time.
Checkpoint discipline: At pre-set intervals, compare your progress to the on-screen clock. For Part I, many candidates aim for ~25 questions per hour as a baseline; for Part II, ~20 per hour.
Final review: Use the last 5–10 minutes to confirm submissions. Avoid spending the final minutes toggling between multiple uncertain items; lock in your best reasoned choices.
Test-day checklist
Printed Confirmation of Appointment email (name must match your ID exactly)
Passport or driver’s license (original, valid, non-expired)
Approved calculator (see list above) with fresh batteries
Arrive early; late arrivals are not admitted
Expect two sheets of scratch paper and a pencil from the test center
No watches/electronics; ensure any stored phone is fully powered off
Breaks allowed, but the clock keeps running; bring your ID if you step away
The bottom line
Plan on 4 hours per part, under CBT conditions.
Expect 100 MCQ in Part I and 80 MCQ in Part II.
Breaks are allowed but un-timed—manage your own pacing with the on-screen clock.
Follow ID, arrival, calculator, and personal-item rules to avoid disqualification.
If you want to sit both parts on the same day, that’s an August-only option; otherwise, schedule them on different days within the window.
Approach exam day with a clear pacing plan and strict compliance with test-center rules, and you’ll maximize both your time and your score potential.
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