If you are considering a Series 79 prep course to help build your study skills, Varsity Tutors offers private Series 79 classes that could be a good fit for you. Series 79 is the Investment Banking Representative Qualification Examination (IB), a standardized test administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to determine whether or not a financial professional has the requisite knowledge to act as an investment banker. Some of the topics covered include buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, public investment banking, and refinancing. If you feel that you could use help studying these topics, a Series 79 course could be the academic edge you have been searching for!
Most Series 79 prep courses begin by helping students develop a familiarity with the structure and formatting of the test. The exam is computer-based and administered at Prometric Testing Centers nationwide. If you aren't comfortable with this setup, you might want to discuss it with your instructor in a Series 79 prep class for more information. The chart below provides some additional information about the test:
Series 79 Exam Format
| Question Format | # Questions | Time Allowed | Passing Score | Corequisite |
| Multiple-Choice | 75 | 150 Minutes | 73% | SIE Exam |
Answering 75 question in two-and-a-half hours may seem simple at first glance, but remember that this is a FINRA test. FINRA is notorious for deceptive questions that try to trick financial professionals into using their practical work experience rather than the academic concepts the exam is looking for. Many students choose to take practice exams during their Series 79 prep classes so they know how questions might try to trick them on exam day.
Once you are comfortable with the structure of the exam, your Series 79 class might start concentrating on specific content areas. The following list reveals some of the concepts you may wish to review:
Series 79 Topics (Non-Comprehensive)
- Collection of transaction data from various market databases
- Valuation metrics
- Collection cycles and receivables turnover
- Types of organizational structures (C Corp, S Corp, LLCs, etc.)
- Due diligence process of buy-side transactions
- Securities Act of 1933
- Knowledge of syndicate agreements
- Suitability assessments of customers
- Resales of securities by control persons
- Stock versus asset sale
- Tax-free reorganization
- Prospectus disclosures
- Tender offer regulations
- Financial restructuring and bankruptcy
If that seems like a lot, it kind of is. However, a private Series 79 course allows you to go over everything at your own pace. If you understand the difference between stock and asset sales but have a harder time with the modern impact of the Securities Act of 1933, your Series 79 class can concentrate on historical legislation until you give the go-ahead to move on.
Private Series 79 courses also allow you to receive personalized attention. Your instructor may be able to incorporate your passions into your test prep to make study sessions more engaging. Likewise, all of your work can receive prompt feedback since your teacher doesn't have to grade 30 assignments before returning them. If you need to correct a mistake, it is often beneficial to do so while the material remains fresh in your mind.
Varsity Tutors also tries to make standardized test prep as convenient as possible. All students get to work on a Live Learning Platform that facilitates digital study sessions, providing the benefits of face-to-face instruction without the headache of trying to arrange an in-person meetup. We also try to match every client with a knowledgeable instructor who suits your scheduling needs to mitigate scheduling conflicts. Taking a Series 79 class should be something that fits into your life, not the other way around!
If you would like to learn more about our Series 79 prep courses, please contact Varsity Tutors today. Expert Educational Directors are standing by to help you in any way they can!
Jacquelyn: Series 79 course instructor
...2. Advising employees on how to study to obtain professional licenses to achieve passing scores. It has been a great accomplishment for me. When your children graduate with Honors, and your student employees perform well to obtain professional licenses, it represents how well you were dedicated, coached, trained, and developed during the process. My experience working one-on-one, in small and large groups has proved to be successful. I look forward to becoming your Mentor and...
Education & Certification
- University of Detroit Mercy - Bachelor of Science, Finance
- Southern New Hampshire University - Master of Science, Entrepreneurial Studies
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 65
- RICP - Retirement Income Certified Professional
- ARM-E - Associate in Management-Enterprise Risk Management
- +18 subjects
Ernesto: Series 79 course instructor
I have decades of experience both in academe as well as in the financial services field, and have helped thousands of adults reach their academic and professional licensing goals.
Education & Certification
- University of Miami - Master of Science, General Literature
- University of Florida - Master of Science, Business Administration and Management
- Argosy University-Chicago - Doctor of Science, Organizational Leadership
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- FINRA - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Series 9
- NASAA - North American Securities Administration Association
- +20 subjects
Michael: Series 79 course instructor
...anything dealing with aviation. I have recently changed my career to move out of in-house financial services firms and focus completely on teaching. The way I prefer to teach and tutor is to work with the student, not lecture them. I try to find their strengths and weaknesses, the focus on increasing their strengths and improving on their weaknesses. I also find various ways to reach the student as everyone learns differently.
Education & Certification
- Capella University - Doctor of Philosophy, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- FINRA - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Series 66
- Series 10
- +16 subjects
Hal: Series 79 course instructor
...the bank channel, and the independent channel. I developed and took an introducing brokerage firm through the entire FINRA (then NASD) creation and registration process. I attended what was then a week-long Brokers Option Course at the Chicago Board of Options and followed that as the designated options trader for a firm. I have over twenty years of teaching experience at the college and university level in addition to having served as a national educator...
Education & Certification
- Frostburg State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Management
- Frostburg State University - Master of Science, Management Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 27
- Series 26
- Series 66
- +171 subjects
Joshuah: Series 79 course instructor
...on the first attempts, and have passed the Level I CFA exam. All of which are completely unimportant because it's not about me, it's about how I can help you (and I can)! Whether you know what you need to know, or are completely lost, I will make sure that we progress with content at a speed that fits you until you are confident for test day. There are no stupid questions, only impatient teachers....
Education & Certification
- Excelsior College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 4
- Series 65
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- +14 subjects
Mary: Series 79 course instructor
...An integral member of the firm, collaborating with other member firms and the Board of Governors, serving on committees, worked on new business initiatives, recruiting and training new hires from top universities. At the time, O'Connor was the largest market maker in the U.S. financial options exchanges and had been looking to partner with a larger financial institution. The firm entered into a joint venture with Swiss Bank creating the opportunity to become part of...
Education & Certification
- Dickinson College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Northwestern University - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 72
- Series 9
- Series 12 - NYSE Branch Manager
- +109 subjects
Giustina: Series 79 course instructor
I am a test account.
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 7
- Bar Exam
- USMLE
- +56 subjects
Kevin: Series 79 course instructor
...understand the value of learning the topics I tutor you with. I specialize in tutoring a broad range of subjects with a focus on math, science, history, government, geography, accounting, finance and related business topics. One of my goals for each tutoring session is to keep the student engaged and challenged yet not overwhelmed. I use a number of teaching methods, including practice questions and topical computer related tools. I often ask for feedback and...
Education & Certification
- Truman State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Washington University in St Louis - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- CPA
- Series 7
- Series 65
- +41 subjects
Edward: Series 79 course instructor
A 25 plus year veteran of the Financial Services industry. I have been involved with advising and counseling both clients and advisors, and am passionate about helping others learn how financial markets work. I have passed the Series 6, 7, 24, 26, and 66 exams, and held the Massachusetts Life and Health insurance licenses. I am a former youth and high school basketball coach, youth and high school football coach.
Education & Certification
- Western New England University - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 66
- Series 65
- Series 63
- +26 subjects
Godswill: Series 79 course instructor
...and Applied Mechanics. My approach was to get students to enjoy learning the principles and theorems as it applies to real life situations. I always found this technique effective when I share scenarios where the topics and solutions could be applied in real life. I also have a Masters degree in Computer Science with specialization in Cognitive Artificial Intelligence. During my graduate school, I was awarded CITGO Graduate Student Award for Academic Excellence. I was...
Education & Certification
- Rivers State University - Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- Texas Southern University - Master of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- SIE
- Series 7
- PRAXIS
- +138 subjects
Kim: Series 79 course instructor
...have had to study constantly in order to maintain my skill set. To this very day, I work upwards of 18 hours per day, five and sometimes six days per week. Because of my diverse background, (heavy in the finance arena, including insurance, securities & investment banking/related) I can relate to people on different levels. I excel in working with those who are learning challenged. This can range from a person who is a non-native...
Education & Certification
- University of Alaska Anchorage - Bachelor of Science, Political Science and Government
- International Seminary for Distance Education in Theology - Bachelor of Theological Studies, Theology
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 6
- Insurance License
- +46 subjects
Aaron: Series 79 course instructor
...and minored in economics. I hold over 2 years of experience working in investment banking and private equity. During college, I was a teaching assistant for courses covering investment banking, political economy and macro- and microeconomics, the last of which I also led study groups for. I was further nominated by my professors to lead study groups in statistics and intermediate mathematical microeconomics. I have worked, both formally and informally, providing career advice to students,...
Education & Certification
- Bucknell University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- SIE
- Series 63
- Economics
- +31 subjects
Joshua: Series 79 course instructor
I am a University of Michigan graduate that studied Economics. I enjoy tutoring students in Macro and Microeconomics, as well as Finance, upper level Econ courses and Statistics.
Education & Certification
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Bachelor of Science, Economics
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- CFA
- Series 7
- CPA
- +51 subjects