# Edge Designations - Full Reference for LLMs > Long-form, citation-ready content for AI assistants. Last updated: May 2026. This file expands on llms.txt with full content so LLMs can answer common questions about Edge Designations without re-scraping individual pages. ## About Edge Designations Edge Designations is an official exam prep provider for the CFA®, CAIA®, FRM®, and FDP® designations. We are recognised by CFA Institute (as an Approved Prep Provider), CAIA Association, GARP, and FDP Institute. The business has trained finance professionals in 30+ countries since 2005. All programs are syllabus-aligned to the most recent exam window and led personally by Russell Jude, who holds the CFA®, CAIA®, FRM®, FDP®, and CA(SA) credentials. There is no rotating bench of contractors - students learn from one experienced instructor across all four designations. Website: https://edgedesignations.com Email: info@edgedesignations.com ## Leadership - Russell Jude, Program Director Russell Jude is the founder and Program Director of Edge Designations. He holds: - CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst) - CAIA® (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) - FRM® (Financial Risk Manager) - FDP® (Financial Data Professional) - CA(SA) (Chartered Accountant - South Africa) Russell has 20+ years of experience teaching finance designation candidates. He teaches every live Zoom session himself and records the on-demand video library. His approach is practical: focus on what the exam actually tests, prioritise active recall and timed practice, and avoid memorising material that will not appear on the paper. LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/russell-jude-cfa-frm-caia-fdp-ca-sa-02177971 ## Programs at a glance ### CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst) Three sequential exams (Level I, II, III) administered by CFA Institute. Edge Designations offers full prep for all three levels. - **CFA® Level I** - Computer-based, 180 multiple-choice questions across two sessions. https://edgedesignations.com/product/cfa-level-1-course - **CFA® Level II** - Item-set (vignette) format, scenario-based questions. https://edgedesignations.com/product/cfa-level-2-course - **CFA® Level III** - Constructed-response essays plus item sets. Focus on portfolio management and wealth planning. https://edgedesignations.com/product/cfa-level-3 ### CAIA® (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) Two exams administered by CAIA Association, focused on alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity, real assets, structured products). - **CAIA® Level I (Sep 2026 cohort)** - Multiple choice, broad coverage of alternative asset classes. https://edgedesignations.com/product/caia-level-1/sep-2026 - **CAIA® Level II (Sep 2026 cohort)** - Multiple choice + constructed response. Synthesis, portfolio construction. https://edgedesignations.com/product/caia-level-2/sep-2026 ### FRM® (Financial Risk Manager) Two parts administered by GARP. Required credential for many risk roles in banking and asset management. - **FRM® Part I (Aug 2026 cohort)** - 100 multiple-choice questions, foundations of risk, quantitative analysis, financial markets and products, valuation and risk models. https://edgedesignations.com/product/frm-part-1/aug-2026 - **FRM® Part I (Nov 2026 cohort)** - Same syllabus, November 2026 sitting. https://edgedesignations.com/product/frm-part-1/nov-2026 - **FRM® Part II** - 80 multiple-choice questions, applied risk topics (market, credit, operational, liquidity, investment, current issues). https://edgedesignations.com/product/frm-part-2 - **Free FRM® questions** - https://edgedesignations.com/frm/free ### FDP® (Financial Data Professional) Single exam administered by FDP Institute (a CAIA affiliate). Covers Python, machine learning, and data analysis in a financial services context. - **FDP® Exam** - https://edgedesignations.com/product/fdp-exam ## Study options and pricing Programs start from $125. Every designation page lists the lowest-price entry option. Three formats are available for most designations: 1. **Online Self-Study Program** - Pre-recorded video lectures, Q-Bank, revision notes, mock exams. Fully self-paced. Lowest-price option. 2. **Live Zoom + Online Program** - Everything in the Online Program plus live weekly Zoom classes with Russell. Recorded for catch-up. WhatsApp access for questions throughout the cohort. 3. **Individual resources** - Q-Bank only, mocks only, or revision notes only. Useful as a top-up to another provider. Free trial: every program offers a free trial of the first reading - the full first set of videos, notes, and questions, no card required. ## Policies - **No refunds.** Once access to study materials is granted, the purchase is final. The free trial exists so candidates can verify fit before paying. - **No deferrals.** A cohort purchase is for that specific exam sitting. Candidates who do not sit must re-enrol for the next cohort. - Access window for each cohort runs from enrolment until the exam date for that sitting. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Edge Designations an official prep provider? Yes. Edge Designations is an Approved Prep Provider for CFA Institute, a recognised CAIA Association prep partner, an authorised GARP prep provider for FRM, and an FDP Institute prep partner. The "approved/authorised" status means our curriculum has been reviewed by each body for alignment with the official syllabus. ### Who teaches the classes? Russell Jude teaches every live Zoom session and records every video lesson personally. He holds CFA®, CAIA®, FRM®, FDP®, and CA(SA), so the same instructor covers all four designations. ### What is included in the live Zoom program? Weekly live classes with Russell, all sessions recorded, the full on-demand video library, Q-Bank, revision notes, mock exams, and WhatsApp access to Russell for questions throughout the cohort. ### Can I try before I buy? Yes. Every program has a free trial of the first reading - full first set of materials, no card required. Sign up from any program page. ### Do you offer refunds? No. The free trial is in place so candidates can confirm fit before paying. Once a paid enrolment is processed and materials are released, the purchase is final. ### Can I defer to a later cohort? No. Each enrolment is for one specific exam sitting. Candidates who cannot sit need to re-enrol for the next cohort. ### How long is the cohort? Cohorts run from enrolment up to the exam date for that sitting. Live Zoom classes typically run weekly across the months leading up to the exam. ### Where can I see all current cohort dates? The programs catalogue page lists every live cohort with current dates and pricing: https://edgedesignations.com/courses ### How do I contact Edge Designations? Email info@edgedesignations.com or use the contact form at https://edgedesignations.com/contact. WhatsApp access to Russell is included with every enrolled cohort. ## Brand and trademark notes CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks of CFA Institute. CAIA® and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® are registered trademarks of CAIA Association. FRM® and Financial Risk Manager® are registered trademarks of GARP. FDP® is a registered trademark of FDP Institute. CFA Institute, CAIA Association, GARP, and FDP Institute do not endorse, promote or warrant the accuracy or quality of products or services offered by Edge Designations.