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
- ABPTS - American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
- Series 47 - Japanese Module of the General Securities Exam
- ARM-E - Associate in Management-Enterprise Risk Management
- +331 subjects
Chunhua: Series 79 course instructor
...Life/Health Insurance. I know how to learn effectively and efficiently. I built a financial company which provides one-stop 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...
Education & Certification
- Wuhan University - Bachelor of Science, Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Wuhan University - Doctor of Philosophy, Management Information Systems
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Real Estate License
- Series 7
- Insurance License
- +7 subjects
Michael: Series 79 course instructor
...deep commitment to making this journey as smooth and rewarding as possible. I believe that learning should be 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...
Education & Certification
- University of Central Florida - Bachelor in Arts, Communication, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 24
- Series 7
- +12 subjects
Edward: Series 79 course instructor
...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 2 bands.
Education & Certification
- Western New England University - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 7
- Series 63
- Series 26
- +27 subjects
Joshuah: Series 79 course instructor
...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 that fits you until you are confident for test day. There are no stupid...
Education & Certification
- Excelsior College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 4
- CPA
- +14 subjects
Jacquelyn: Series 79 course instructor
...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 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...
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
- WMCP - Wealth Management Certified Professional
- Series 7
- +18 subjects
Heberto: Series 79 course instructor
...though I also have worked on government relations. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about History, English Literature, and Math (namely algebra and pre-calc). In my experience helping students prepare for Standardized Tests, I like to focus on the writing and math assessments, as those tend to be challenging to many students. I believe in ensuring students are able to think independently and have the confidence to understand the...
Education & Certification
- University of Colorado Boulder - Bachelor of Science, Economics
- Harvard University - Master of Science, Public Policy Analysis
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 63
- SIE
- CFA
- +47 subjects
Michael: Series 79 course instructor
...Flight Instructor at a local airport where I teach ground school and flight to student pilots. I really 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...
Education & Certification
- Capella University - Doctor of Philosophy, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 66
- SIE
- Series 3
- +16 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 24
- Series 28
- Series 86
- +38 subjects
Kevin: Series 79 course instructor
...St. Louis (Olin School of Business: Finance emphasis) and also received my Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Truman 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...
Education & Certification
- Truman State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Washington University in St Louis - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- SIE
- Series 63
- Series 6
- +41 subjects
Aaron: Series 79 course instructor
...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, 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...
Education & Certification
- Bucknell University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 63
- SIE
- Math
- +31 subjects
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- USMLE
- Series 10
- Series 7
- +56 subjects
Nancy: Series 79 course instructor
...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 in English Literature, Human Geography, or American or World History.
Education & Certification
- Rhodes College - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
- Harvard Business School - Masters in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 66
- Series 63
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- +99 subjects
Hal: Series 79 course instructor
...learning situation that can be provided and consequently contribute to the whole of society. No one method applies to 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...
Education & Certification
- Frostburg State University - Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Management
- Frostburg State University - Master of Science, Management Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- CIMA
- Series 3
- Real Estate License - New York
- +171 subjects
Godswill: Series 79 course instructor
...a focus on investment analysis. My academic journey began with tutoring my younger siblings in Math and Science, which grew into leading study groups of up to 50 students across grades 612. Over time, I expanded my teaching to college-level Physics, Mathematics, and Applied Mechanics, helping students connect complex theories to real-world applications. Throughout graduate school, I served as a teaching and research assistant, tutoring freshmen and sophomores in core subjects such as Algebra, Calculus,...
Education & Certification
- Rivers State University - Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- Texas Southern University - Master of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- SIE
- PRAXIS
- Series 7
- +156 subjects
Andrea: Series 79 course instructor
...understanding of the principles of finance, accounting, economics, investment products, and business. In addition to my professional experience, I have a proven record of tutoring finance-related subjects and served as lead business tutor of my undergraduate university. My tutoring approach is focused on simplifying complex financial concepts and making them accessible to learners at all levels of knowledge. I use a combination of real-world examples, interactive problem-solving techniques, and tailored learning strategies to ensure my...
Education & Certification
- Washington University in St Louis - Master of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- Series 7 - General Securities Representative Exam (Stockbroker)
- Series 7
- Series 10
- +57 subjects
Education & Certification
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Bachelor of Science, Economics
Subject Expertise
- Series 79
- SIE
- CFA
- CPA
- +51 subjects