Maximize Your Score: Free Series 79 Practice Exams
The official title of the Series 79 is the Investment Banking Representative Exam. It is a FINRA licensing exam for professionals who want to work in investment banking. The test covers securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, valuations, and the regulatory framework governing these activities.
Three practice exams that cover securities offerings, M&A, financial restructuring, valuations, and key regulations.
Challenging, scenario-driven questions that closely test your ability to think, analyze, and perform like an investment banker.
Detailed answer explanations that strengthen your understanding and sharpen your Series 79 exam prep.
FINRA Series 79 Exam
Investment Banking Representative Exam
The Investment Banking Representative Exam (Series 79) is a FINRA licensing test that qualifies individuals to advise on offerings, mergers, acquisitions, and other investment banking activities.
75 Questions
Multiple Choice
150 Minutes
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Series 79 Exam Overview
What Is the Series 79?
The Investment Banking Representative Exam (Series 79) is a FINRA-administered licensing exam for professionals seeking to become Investment Banking Representatives. Passing the Series 79 qualifies individuals to advise on and facilitate debt and equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), tender offers, financial restructurings, and other investment banking transactions.
This exam is designed for those working in investment banking, corporate finance, or advisory roles that focus on raising capital and guiding companies through complex financial deals.
Exam Structure
- Number of Questions: 75 scored questions + 10 unscored pretest questions (85 total)
- Format: Multiple choice
- Time Allotment: 150 minutes (2.5 hours)
- Passing Score: 73% (55 out of 75 scored questions must be correct)
- Delivery: Computer-based at a Prometric testing center or online with remote proctoring
The 10 unscored questions are mixed throughout the exam and do not affect your final score.
Content Outline
The Series 79 exam is divided into three main areas:
- Collection, Analysis, and Evaluation of Data – This section covers financial statement analysis, due diligence, valuation techniques, and the process of gathering information needed to advise clients.
- Underwriting and New Financing Transactions – The largest section of the exam, this portion addresses public and private offerings, debt and equity issuance, the registration process, and syndication procedures.
- Mergers, Acquisitions, and Financial Restructuring – This part focuses on the M&A process, tender offers, fairness opinions, bankruptcy considerations, and restructuring strategies.
Eligibility and Prerequisites
- SIE Exam Requirement: Candidates must first pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam.
- Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by a FINRA-member firm to sit for the Series 79.
- Registration Category: A passing score qualifies you as an Investment Banking Representative (IB).
Series 79 Exam Prep
The Series 79 is a challenging exam that requires focused and consistent study. Effective preparation strategies include:
- Take Practice Exams: Use full-length Series 79 practice tests to build confidence with the format and timing.
- Study Key Topics: Spend extra time on SEC rules, valuation, M&A deal structuring, and registration requirements.
- Use Study Guides: Rely on resources that present material in a structured, exam-focused way.
- Plan Your Time: Balance your study sessions across the three content areas, with extra focus on underwriting and M&A, which carry the most weight.
Final Thoughts
The FINRA Series 79 exam is an important milestone for professionals pursuing careers in investment banking and corporate finance. While narrower in scope than some other securities exams, it requires deep knowledge of complex financial transactions and regulations. With consistent Series 79 exam prep—including practice tests, review materials, and study discipline—you can approach exam day with the confidence to succeed.