Completing the Series 79 exam is an essential first step toward becoming an investment banker. Much like the Series 7 exam, it’s an important top-off that measures your ability to advise or facilitate public and private offerings and sales.
Since it’s such an important job, the test to become a licensed insurance broker can be very difficult; you’ll need to put in some serious study time if you want to pass on your first try.
Similar to the prerequisite SIE exam, completing a Series 79 prep course will massively increase your chances of passing your investment banking representative qualification exams. There are many options available, making it difficult to choose the best Series 79 study guides.
That’s why I’ve thoroughly examined the best and most popular Series 79 study courses below. Take a look and find out which ones can best prepare you for a rewarding career as an insurance broker!
| AIS RANKING | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COURSE NAME |  |  |  |  |
| PRICE | Check Price | Check Price | $169 | $595 |
| PRACTICE EXAMS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LIVE CONTENT | No | Premier Plus Only | No | All-Access Pass Only |
| BONUS MATERIALS | Greenlight Guarantee | Greenlight exams, Flashcards, In-person classes | Performance Tracker, Checkpoint exams, Free content updates | Mobile app, Benchmark exams, Online training center |
| PASS GUARANTEE | Yes | Premier and Premier Plus Only | No | No |
| SUPPORT | Chat, Phone, Email, Social Media | Phone, Fax, Email, Social Media | Phone, Email, Social Media | Phone, Email, Social Media |
| GET STARTED | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now |
1. Securities Institute of America
Our top pick is the Securities Institute of America due to its multifaceted approach to test prep. Securities Institute of America (SIA) is renowned for its dedication to providing top-tier study materials for various securities exams, and its Series 79 study material is no exception. Designed meticulously to cater to the needs of investment banking professionals, this study material ensures that candidates are well-prepared to tackle the Series 79 exam.
Course Details
SIA’s Series 79 study material is a blend of comprehensive content and practical exam strategies. Key features include:
- Interactive Learning Portal: Gain access to a user-friendly platform that offers a structured study plan, ensuring that you cover all essential topics.
- Comprehensive Study Guide: Dive deep into the intricacies of investment banking with a detailed textbook that breaks down complex concepts into digestible information.
- Practice Exams: Test your knowledge with simulated exams that mirror the actual Series 79 test format, helping you get accustomed to the exam environment.
- On-Demand Video Lectures: Benefit from expert-led video sessions that elucidate challenging topics, ensuring you grasp every detail.
- Customizable Quizzes: Target your weak areas by creating custom quizzes, allowing for focused revision.
Their FINRA Series 79 catalog includes a textbook, exam prep software, and a combo package that includes both. The 300-page textbook is a great crash course in all the essential topics you’ll need to know in order to pass the exam and start working professionally as a registered representative. This includes:
- Valuation analysis
- Financial restructuring
- Corporate transactions
It’s a decent educational resource on its own, but it works even better as a supplement to SIA’s online test prep course. This is compatible with Mac or PC and can even be accessed on most tablets and smartphones.
Pros and Cons
Bottom Line
The Securities Institute of America offers a robust Series 79 study package, underpinned by their confidence-boosting Greenlight Guarantee. Crafted by financial experts, the material is complemented by customizable plans and interactive tools. For those aiming for Series 79 success, SIA is a top-tier choice.
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2. Securities Training Corporation
STCUSA is impressive in the way they implement study materials to reinforce learning. Lectures are followed up by practice tests to ensure you can apply your new knowledge and keep everything fresh in your mind for exam day.
Course Details
STCUSA courses use their materials to guide you through a pre-made study plan. Each new lesson reinforces what you’ve learned elsewhere, and plenty of self-study materials are available for you to use on your own time.
Thanks to this, you can apply everything you’ve learned to your own professional experience— and you never have to worry about distractions while studying.
There are currently 3 packages available for STCUSA’s Series 79 course: Standard, Premier, and Premier Plus plans. These cost $370, $525, and $625 respectively, but they frequently go on sale. Depending on whether you want more lecture content or more practice tests, different packages may work better for your study needs.
Here are some of the many features and materials included with STCUSA’s courses:
- Crunch Time Facts
- 24/7 Support
- 6-Month Enrollment Period
- Online and Printed Study Manual
- Practice Exams
- On-Demand Lectures
- Flashcards
- Pass Guarantee
Pros and Cons
Bottom Line
STCUSA is an excellent course that focuses heavily on traditional learning styles. Choose this course if you prefer a straightforward and gimmick-free study experience.
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3. Kaplan
If you’re only interested in self-study material, then Kaplan is a good option for exam prep. They offer a wide range of independent study methods and materials that are perfect for the self-motivated student.
You’ll spend most of your time answering multiple-choice questions. These emulate the actual FINRA exam as closely as possible, so you can be assured you’re only operating off of accurate information. Plus, question contents are frequently updated at no extra charge. That way, they can keep up with industry standards.
Although practice exams are the focus of Kaplan, that’s not all they have to offer. Included with this course are:
- Exam Tips
- Content Updates
- SecuritiesPro QBank
- Performance Tracker
- Study Calendar
- License Exam Manual
Pros and Cons
Bottom Line
Kaplan may be a bit lean on content, but it provides a very focused study experience. If you only want to drill practice problems — or you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Knopman — then look no further.
4. Knopman Marks
Knopman offers blended classes for general securities exam preparation. These are scheduled courses that use a combination of recorded lectures, faculty-led coaching, and review sessions. This is a powerful combination that leads to great results, and it doesn’t necessitate a strict study schedule.
Course Details
Knopman has created an industry-leading training program with an incredible 96% first-time exam pass rate. They’ve done so by including comprehensive study materials in addition to instructor guidance that can be accessed at any time.
The base price for Knopman’s self-study materials is $500. However, if you want unlimited access to instructor-led courses, then you’ll need to pay an additional $225 for the all-access pass. Once you’ve got both of these, you’re free to get started on your studying.
Knopman’s comprehensive course includes everything you need to study and succeed, such as:
- Textbook & eBook
- Digital Flashcards
- Mobile App
- 10+ Hours of Video Content
- Practice Exams
- Training Center
- Downloadable Supplements
- Tutoring Sessions
Pros and Cons
Bottom Line
Even without their live courses, Knopman materials are well worth the time and money. They offer a unique advantage that other companies struggle to match; plus, their pass rates are some of the highest in the industry.
FINRA Series 79 Exam FAQs
Passing the Series 79 exam is a requirement for any entry-level job in investment banking. However, you must also complete the SIE exams to obtain registration for an investment job.
The Series 79 exam requires you to complete 75 multiple-choice questions in 150 minutes. These are split up into key areas based on major job functions. See FINRA’s website for more details.
Enrollment for the test is $245, but that won’t be everything you need to pay for. You’ll also need to factor in transportation and the price of a prep course if you plan on using one to study. Both of those can bump the cost above $500.
You must wait 30 days after completion before attempting the Series 79 exam again. However, if you fail 3 times in a row, you’ll need to wait 180 days before trying again. You will also need to pay for each attempt— so it’s highly recommended that you study enough to pass on your first try!
