Published by sunandoroy on Fri, 2007-10-19 10:29
Recently, I had a chat with the PRM global topper , Vinayak Kamat from Pune, India. Vinayak has been named the 2007 PRM Candidate of the Year.”This is a highly prestigious award, identifying the best of the best among our PRM holders,” said David R. Koenig, former Executive Director of PRMIA. “We were highly impressed by Vinayak and congratulate him on this international recognition.”
Vinayak deserves our heartiest congratulations and appreciation for his achivement, considering the fact that he has achieved this distinction competing with candidates around the world and brought honour to a country which is now catching up ( fast, mind you) with risk management practices of the advanced economies.
I hope this interview will be of some use to the growing group of PRM candidates.
A Chat with Vinayak Kamat, PRM Candidate of the Year 2007 from Pune, India
SR: What motivated you to appear for PRM?
Vinayak: I had some basic knowledge in the area of risk management due to previous exposure but I was looking for ways to validate and enhance the same. I also wanted to and upgrade my skills and exercise my learning ability in the process. The best way to achieve this was to go for an industry standard certification program like PRM. I was impressed with the PRM curriculum and its self-paced structure. This in turn allowed me to take the exam at my convenience.
SR: How much time you devoted to preparation before taking the examination?
Vinayak: I had attempted all 4 exams together. Overall I think I devoted around 200 hours (on an average 10 hrs per week for 20 weeks) for preparation. However, it took longer in terms of elapsed time, as I had to take a few extended breaks in preparation due to professional and personal reasons.
SR: What resources/books/courses you find useful for study for papers I, II, III, IV?
Vinayak: The PRM handbook was my primary study material. As an additional reference on some topics, I studied the FRM Handbook. For quantitative subjects, I also referred few standard reference books. In some cases, I found useful information on the web. I relied on self-study and did not take any courses.
SR: Where did you appear for the exam? Did you find any difficulty in selecting an exam center?
Vinayak: My preference was a center close to my residence. Also I needed a slot for 6.5 hours for the entire exam on my preferred dates. With these criteria, I selected a center at Borivali, Mumbai. I got their details from the Pearson Vue website and visited their premises once to see the facilities. I could book the slot with a couple of days notice. I did not face any particular difficulty in selecting the center.
SR: What tips you would like to offer to prospective PRMIA candidates?
Vinayak: Make a plan and commit to it. Avoid extended gaps in preparation. Devote some time daily. Try some practice questions and tests. Last but not the least, enjoy learning the subject.
SR: What this Award means to you and how it has helped you so far?
Vinayak: I am delighted and proud to receive this award. The evaluation process was quite challenging. Also the competition was global and of very high quality. Hence I rate it as one of my most special achievements. Professionally, the award has brought me recognition. Personally, it has given me added self-confidence and motivation.
SR: Thanks Vinayak, for your time. If i receive more questions from PRM candidates, I’ll get back to you for another interview. All the best !
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