Frequently Asked Questions

Series 79 - FINRA Limited Representative Investment Banking Exam

  • About the Series 79

  • What does the Series 79 qualify me to do?

    A Series 79 license qualifies an individual to advise on or facilitate debt or equity offerings through a private placement or public offering or to advise or facilitate mergers or acquisitions, tender offers, financial restructurings, asset sales, divestitures or other corporate reorganizations or business combination transactions. The Series 79 proves one of the most difficult exams offered by FINRA, even for the most experienced students.

  • Who needs to take the Series 79 Exam?

    If you work for a FINRA member firm (are an “associated person” in the language of the regulators) and you work as an investment banker, according to FINRA rules, you must pass the Series 79 exam and register as an Investment Banking Representative. FINRA and the SEC define investment banking as being work that falls into the following two broad categories:

    “Advising on or facilitating debt or equity securities offerings through a private placement or a public offering, including but not limited to origination, underwriting, marketing, structuring, syndication, and pricing of such securities and managing the allocation and stabilization activities of such offerings, or

    Advising on or facilitating mergers and acquisitions, tender offers, financial restructurings, asset sales, divestitures or other corporate reorganizations or business combination transactions, including, but not limited to rendering a fairness, solvency or similar opinion.”

    If you do any of the above, according to FINRA and the SEC, you need to have the Series 79 investment banking registration.

    If you want more detail, read FINRA Rule 1031, Registration Requirements, and FINRA Rule 1032, Categories of Representative Registration.

  • Are there any prerequisites for the Series 79?

    You will also be required to take the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, unless you have passed certain other licensing exams (such as the Series 7) prior to October 1st, 2018. 

    If you need to take the SIE exam, check out Solomon Exam Prep SIE study materials.


  • What is on the Series 79?

    The questions on the Series 79 exam are drawn from three different subject areas that FINRA deems to represent the major job functions of entry-level investment bankers:

    Number of Test Questions on the Series 79 Exam by Major Job Function

    Major Job Function

    Description

    Number of Questions

    1

    Collection, Analysis and Evaluation of Data

    37

    2

    Underwriting/New Financing Transactions, Types of Offerings and Registration of Securities

    20

    3

    Mergers and Acquisitions, Tender Offers and Financial Restructuring Transactions

    18

    Total

    75

    The questions are presented randomly; in other words, the exam itself is not divided into three sections. Questions from each section appear throughout the exam.


  • How often is the Series 79 exam updated?

    The 14-member FINRA Series 79 exam committee meets regularly and they work hard to keep the questions fresh, accurate, and relevant. You should assume that the 79 exam will test current laws and practices.

  • How hard is the Series 79 exam?

    Solomon Exam Prep customers who have passed the Series 79 exam say that it is a difficult exam, particularly for test-takers who do not have education and work experience in accounting and finance. Additionally, the Series 79 exam requires a broad knowledge of the rules, regulations and industry practices that govern US capital markets and investment banking. 

  • How does the Series 79 compare to the Series 7?

    Quotes from individuals who have taken and passed both exams:

    “The Series 79 is ten times harder than the Series 7.”

    “Like comparing Earth (Series 7) to Jupiter (Series 79).”

    “The Series 7 was easy compared to the 79, the 79 is more like the CFA.”

  • Is there an alternative securities license?

    If your investment banking work is limited to structuring private securities, FINRA says you can register either as an Investment Banking Representative and pass the Series 79 or as a Private Securities Offerings Representative and pass the Series 82 Exam instead. Ask your firm’s compliance officer.

  • Do I need to take any other securities exams?

    According to FINRA, the Series 79 investment banking registration does NOT cover sales or marketing of debt or equity securities to investors or potential investors. In order to make investor presentations, an investment banker with the Series 79 registration would also need to be “registered as a General Securities Representative (Series 7), Corporate Securities Representative (Series 62), or Private Securities Offerings Representative (Series 82), depending on the type of offering being made.”

    You will also be required to take the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, unless you have passed certain other licensing exams (such as the 7 or 82) prior to October 1st, 2018. 

    Additionally, in order to comply with state securities regulations, most individuals with the 79 investment banking registration pass the NASAA Series 63 exam as well. Check with your firm’s compliance officer to determine if this registration applies to you.

  • Where can I get more information about the Series 79?

    Additional information can be found on the  FINRA website.

  • Preparing for the Series 79 Exam

  • How long should I prepare for the Series 79 exam?

    We recommend studying 80-100 hours over a six-week period.

  • How should I study for the Series 79?

    Solomon Exam Prep recommends the following study schedule: read the Series 79 Study Guide. As you read the guide, take handwritten notes, or make flashcards, preferably in your own words. Taking handwritten notes or writing flashcards strengthens learning and memory. Review your notes or flashcards every day. At the end of each chapter, log on to the Series 79 Exam Simulator and take six 20-question practice quizzes. Read the rationales and do not worry about your scores. Complete each chapter in the book in this way, and when you have finished the entire Study Guide, review your handwritten notes or flashcards once more. At this point, you are ready to take full practice exams in the Exam Simulator; take several full or half practice exams. Your goal should be an average score in the high-80s.

    As you study for the Series 79, strive to understand the concepts, terms, and formulas and how they relate to each other. Rote memorization is not enough. The 79 exam asks complex questions that require analysis and insight. 

    Overconfidence is the #1 reason people do not pass. Successful test-takers often say that they “over-studied.” By “over-studying,” they are able to pass the Series 79 the first time. Generally, this means that they read the book, often more than once, and they research anything they don’t understand. They make flashcards. They seek help if they feel they need it. Successful 79 students take responsibility for their own success, and they work much harder than those who do not pass.

    Learn more about Solomon Series 79 study materials.

  • What are test-taking strategies for the Series 79 exam?

    Monitor your time. Most test-takers say that time is a factor. Remember that the exam clock keeps ticking if you take a break.

    When you encounter a long question, before you read the entire question, skip to the final lines to find out what is actually being asked, then go back to the beginning of the question and read the question carefully.

    You are not penalized for wrong answers so make sure you answer every question.

  • Taking the Series 79 Exam

  • Do I need to be sponsored by a FINRA member firm to take the Series 79?

    Yes. To take the Series 79, you must be “associated with a member” which means you must be employed and sponsored by a FINRA member firm. Also, your employer has to approve your registration for the FINRA “Limited Representative -- Investment Banker” registration category. The member organization must file form U-4 on behalf of the registrant and pay the fee. Once your application has been accepted, FINRA will give you a 120-day “window” to schedule and take your exam. 

  • Where and when can I take the Series 79 exam?

    Like other securities exams, you take the Series 79 at FINRA’s testing vendor: Prometric

    You can take the test daily, excluding holidays. Not all testing centers are open Sundays. 

  • What do they give me when I go into the exam?

    At the test center, you will be given a dry erase pen and whiteboard or a pencil and scratch paper, a basic electronic calculator, and an Exhibits Book. The Exhibits Book may be presented on your computer or as a physical pamphlet. You may not bring notes, paper, or your own calculator. Phones and watches are not permitted either. Many of the questions will refer to tables or charts in the Exhibits Book, and some questions will require you to perform calculations. 

    The exam is administered electronically—no bubbling in the oval required—but the computer format can be tricky. Before the exam, you will have the opportunity to take a tutorial on how the electronic system works. You should take the tutorial, since some people find the system awkward to use at first, and you don’t want to use valuable test time dealing with technical issues. You will be given your results immediately after you press the submit button.

  • How much does the exam cost?

    The cost of the exam is $300.

  • How many questions are on the exam?

    There are 75 scored questions and 10 unscored “pretest” questions, making the Series 79 exam 85 questions long. The 10 unscored ”pretest” questions are not identified and distributed randomly throughout the exam. 

  • How long is the Series 79 exam?

    You have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam. You can take a break but the clock will continue to count down. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so if you run short of time, try to answer every question, even if you have to guess.

  • When will I learn whether I passed?

    Immediately at the testing center.

  • What score do I need to pass the exam?

    A score of 73% is required for passing. 

    Note: Your score will be rounded down to the next lowest whole number (e.g. 72.9% would be a final score of 72%--not a passing score for the Series 79 Exam).

  • If I fail, can I take the Series 79 again?

    If you fail the exam, FINRA makes you wait 30 days before you can reschedule. If you fail the exam three or more times in a row, the waiting period is six months.

    If you were within ten points of a passing score, Solomon Exam Prep recommends that you redouble your efforts, work very hard, and retake ASAP. The longer you wait, the more you will forget and have to relearn. Also, the sooner you retake the exam, the more likely you are to encounter questions that you saw before. But the key when you retake is to prepare and learn what you need to. Take a class if you didn't the first time. Take notes on anything you don't understand. Re-read the textbook. Make flash cards. Get a study buddy if you can. Try not to leave anything to chance. You came close the first time and you don't want to have to take the exam a third time.

  • Registration

  • If I stop working for my firm, how long will my Series 79 license remain active?

    You will have two years between jobs before the license expires.

    When you cease working for a firm, your employer will file a Form U5 to terminate your registration. Your next employer will file a Form U4, which will re-register you. As long as you do not exceed two years between employers, your Series 79 license will remain active. 



General exam questions? See our general FAQs.

For information about Solomon Series 79 exam study materials, please click here.