Attaining the MLARM Certificate
Eligibility Requirements
The only prerequisite to attempting the MLARM exam is candidates must be within the PRMIA membership network. Start your enrollment by becoming a member to gain valuable access to members-only information, or joining the network for free.
Exam Requirements
To receive the MLARM Certificate, candidates must pass the single exam with a score of 60% or higher.
Candidates may retake a failed exam, but must wait 90 days from the date of the failed exam.
Maintaining your MLARM Certification
The only requirement in maintaining your certification is to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards as defined by the PRMIA Standards of Best Practice, Conduct and Ethics.
Exam Exemptions
Completing the MLARM Certificate will not yield any exemptions toward the PRMTM Designation .
Exam Syllabus
A complete syllabus for each section of the exam is provided in the MLARM Certificate Candidate Guidebook. Below is a high level overview of the subject matter in each section.
| Section |
Subject Matter |
| Chapter 1 |
Market Risk Introduction |
| Chapter 2 |
Market Risk Governance & Management |
| Chapter 3 |
Market Risk Measurement |
| Chapter 4 |
Market Risk in the Trading Books: Business-Specific Context |
| Chapter 5 |
Commodities Market Risk Management |
| Chapter 6 |
Market Risk Stress Testing - Beyond the VaR Threshold |
| Section |
Subject Matter |
| Chapter 7 |
ALM and the Recent Crisis |
| Chapter 8 |
An Introduction to Asset Liability Management |
| Chapter 9 |
Interest Rate Risk |
| Chapter 10 |
Liquidity Risk |
| Chapter 11 |
Balance Sheet Management |
| Chapter 12 |
Bank Funds Transfer Pricing ('FTP') |
Exam Format
The exam is computer-based. Questions are all multiple choice drawn randomly from the exam data base, according to the syllabus order and weightings. The MLARM exam is offered in English only.
PRMIA computer-based method of delivery of the exam allows it to evaluate very specific details about each question administered, including down-to-the-second measurements of how long it takes most candidates to answer each question.
The exam consists of 60 questions, and candidates have 2 hours to complete it. Below is the percentage breakdown of exam questions for each exam syllabus section described above.
What to Expect at the Testing Facility
The MLARM exam is operated by Pearson VUE with testing centers in more than 170 countries, in secure and monitored testing facilities in approximately 6,000 locations.
Questions are presented digitally with responses entered directly into the computer. No materials may be brought into the testing room; however, you will be provided with an erasable board upon request. No calculators are needed nor provided.
Once admitted to the testing room, there will be a tutorial that introduces the functionality of the exam and a brief message from PRMIA. After this has been viewed, you may begin your exam. You will be asked multiple-choice questions with four possible responses. There are no breaks allowed during the exam.
The testing system allows you to mark and review questions as long as time is remaining. Please note that you are unlikely to finish your exam with substantial extra time. You are encouraged to use the tutorial in an expedient manner, but sufficient time is allocated for you to complete the tutorial and the exam.
Exam Results
Exams are graded digitally. Results are usually available within 15 business days of your test date and can be accessed by signing in to your PRMIA account and going to the 'Certifications Tab' in your 'PRMIA Profile'.
After becoming certified your digital certificate is instantly available via your Certifications Tab in your PRMIA Profile. Digital certificates offer more than a just a digital copy of your certificate, see Documentation & Sharing for features.