Meet Soumya Raghavan, hailing from Delhi. She completed her Bachelor's in Economics (Hons) from Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi. Her early interest in finance gradually evolved into a fascination with financial risk -- an area she found intellectually stimulating and highly relevant in today's volatile world.
Finance has always been my interest since school, and financial risk always intrigued me. That's what pushed me towards the FRM program.
She has managed to clear both FRM Levels while working as an Analyst -- Policy Management at AXA XL, a part of the global insurance and risk management group.
Let's hear from her the preparation strategy, inspiration, and how she managed to do it all while preparing for the CAT exam.
Why did you decide to pursue FRM?
I evaluated the top finance certifications like CFA and FRM, and ultimately chose FRM because risk management genuinely interested me. The concept of managing uncertainty and understanding market risk aligned well with both my academic background in Economics and my long-term career interests. It felt like the right fit for the kind of work I wanted to do.
What steps did you take early on to build a foundation in finance and risk?
My interest in finance actually started developing in school, and it only grew stronger through my Economics degree at Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi. I consumed a lot of online content about finance and risk management, and that is how I discovered QuintEdge — through their YouTube channel. Watching their videos helped me understand what the FRM exam actually expects before I dove into the deep study.
How did QuintEdge help you in your preparation?
I discovered QuintEdge through a YouTube video by Yash Sir, and the clear, logical explanations immediately stood out. The course had a strong focus on concept clarity, which is exactly what I needed. The structured topic breakdowns gave me a systematic roadmap so I never felt confused about what to study next. The doubt-solving was quick and precise — I could get my questions resolved without waiting days. That made a huge difference in keeping my momentum going.
How did you prepare for FRM? What was your daily schedule like?
My approach was a three-step cycle that I followed for every topic:
- Watch QuintEdge lectures to understand the concepts.
- Read the Schweser textbooks to reinforce and deepen my understanding.
- Apply the knowledge through quizzes and practice questions.
Every week, I would do a review session using bullet-point notes I had been building throughout. The final 30–40 days were dedicated entirely to revision — I used my saved notes and flagged questions, and I made it a point not to introduce any new material in that phase. That kept me focused and confident going into the exam.
What would be your advice to other CAT students and working professionals planning to take up FRM?
Be consistent — that matters more than being perfect. 2–3 solid hours a day can take you further than you think. Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than solving an endless number of questions without truly absorbing the material. Make the most of your coaching resources — do not try to do everything on your own. And start planning your revision early. Collect your doubts, tag difficult questions, and build your revision notes from the very beginning. That way, when the final stretch comes, you are ready.