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!

Angelo: Series 79 course instructor
I love helping students in topics related to math, to finance (public and private equity) and to engineering. I believe that if I can't explain concept, then I don't understand it. By that same token, if a student can't explain a concept back to me, then they don't understand it even if they say they do. I believe in getting to know all students, as their background is intricately connected with how they learn.
Education & Certification
- University of Florida - Master of Science, Electrical Engineering
- University of Pennsylvania - Masters in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
- university of chicago - Master's/Graduate, ma
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Exam FM - Financial Mathematics
- Firefighter Exam
- CRM - Certified Risk Manager
- +325 subjects

Michael: Series 79 course instructor
...engaging and memorable. That's why I bring a creative approach to my tutoring, using fun and innovative methods to simplify complex concepts and make exam content stick. By turning challenging material into engaging lessons, I strive to build not just understanding but also confidence in my students. Seeing my students achieve their goals and succeed in their exams is incredibly rewarding. I am dedicated to providing the support, guidance, and strategies needed to help each...
Education & Certification
- University of Central Florida - Bachelor in Arts, Communication, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 10
- Series 7
- Series 6
- +12 subjects

Michael: Series 79 course instructor
...like teaching in general, and enjoy when I can learn something and then pass it on to others. That is what brought me to earn my PhD and my flight instructor certificate, allowing me to teach various areas in finance, such as corporate finance, personal finance, and securities markets, and 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...
Education & Certification
- Capella University - Doctor of Philosophy, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- SIE
- Series 31
- Series 10
- +16 subjects

Chunhua: Series 79 course instructor
...wealth management advisory services. Many years of advisory sales and management services have made me an effective communicator. Tutoring fulfills my passion of sharing my years of experiences and offering guidance to students. I am a visual learning and tutoring using illustrations and examples to improve the recall of information and concepts. I have hosted and participated in my speaking engagements both in public and corporate board. I enjoy challenges and have consistently grown within...
Education & Certification
- Wuhan University - Bachelor of Science, Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Wuhan University - Doctor of Philosophy, Management Information Systems
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 63
- Series 7
- Insurance License
- +7 subjects

Hal: Series 79 course instructor
...all. It is my goal to focus on the individual, adapt my methods to their needs, and inspire them to succeed. I enjoyed a nearly thirty-year career in financial services where I worked as a financial planner, wire-house broker (stockbroker), trust advisor, and wealth advisor. I worked the broker-dealer channel, 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....
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 22
- Series 9
- Series 63
- +171 subjects

Kevin: Series 79 course instructor
...State University. Both students and parents say that I help students succeed and realize their own potential with improved confidence, grades and test scores. Because I have over 20 years of "real life" professional experience and have traveled extensively, I am able to provide you real life examples to help 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,...
Education & Certification
- Truman State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Washington University in St Louis - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 6
- SIE
- CPA
- +41 subjects

Kim: Series 79 course instructor
...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 English speaker to someone with ADHD/Autism. If you need to take a certification test, I can quell your nerves. I will tutor/coach/mentor you through the subject at hand and in process, impart in you a set of skills you will be able to use the rest...
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 6
- Insurance License
- Series 63
- +46 subjects

Jacquelyn: Series 79 course instructor
...am a goal-oriented individual who enjoys helping others learn personally and professionally. As a Mom and a Business Leader in the community, mentoring, and coaching, I have assisted many others in accomplishing their educational goals. 1. Parenting my children at home on how to do well in class and on tests. 2. Advising employees on how to study to obtain professional licenses to achieve passing scores. It has been a great accomplishment for me. When...
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
- SIE
- +18 subjects

Ben: Series 79 course instructor
Experienced portfolio manager, strategist and published author with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Asset Management, Equities, Bonds, Investment Strategies, and Capital Markets. Strong finance professional with a MBA focused in Finance, General from University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business. Series 65, 7, 63, 24, CFA, FRM
Education & Certification
- University of Amsterdam - Bachelor of Economics, Economics
- University of Southern California - Masters in Business Administration, Economics
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 5 - Interest Rate Options Exams
- Series 28
- Series 3
- +39 subjects

Godswill: Series 79 course instructor
...Physics and several science subjects. Their friends quickly joined the study group and I eventually found myself tutoring a group of 6 to 12 graders that quickly grew from 10 to 50 students. As a college senior, I was tutoring a group of two dozen freshmen students College Physics, College Math, and Applied Mechanics. My approach was to get students to enjoy learning the principles and theorems as it applies to real life situations. I...
Education & Certification
- Rivers State University - Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- Texas Southern University - Master of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- PRAXIS
- SIE
- Series 7
- +138 subjects
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- PMP
- NPTE - National Physical Therapy Examination
- Real Estate License
- +56 subjects

Joshuah: Series 79 course instructor
...hold a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Political Sciences; passed the SIE, Series 63, 65, and 7 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...
Education & Certification
- Excelsior College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 66
- CPA
- Series 65
- +14 subjects

Aaron: Series 79 course instructor
...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, particualrly those interested in pursuing a career in finance. I have helped numerous students successfully gain internships and full-time jobs in finance and look forward to continuing to help aspiring professionals achieve their goals. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, skiing, working out and...
Education & Certification
- Bucknell University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 63
- SIE
- Macroeconomics
- +31 subjects

Nancy: Series 79 course instructor
...enjoy teaching a variety of subjects. As a college economics major with an MBA, and as former investment banker with many years of experience there (now retired), I enjoy teaching finance, accounting, and econ as well as the various secrutities licensing tests. But my avocations are history and literature and I love teaching them as well--whether through assisting with regular school homework and test preparation, or through SAT/ACT prep, or through AP/SAT subject test prep...
Education & Certification
- Rhodes College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Harvard Business School - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 63
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 7
- +85 subjects

Edward: Series 79 course instructor
...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 coached basketball and football both at the youth and high school levels. I love music and am an active member of...
Education & Certification
- Western New England University - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 24
- Series 9
- +26 subjects
Education & Certification
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Bachelor of Science, Economics
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- SIE
- CPA
- CFA
- +51 subjects