Tips on studying for the Series 79

I'm a first year analyst at a BB I-bank, and I missed training due to issues with my work Visa. I finally got everything squared away, but I was told that I will need to pass the Series 79 test. I was sent a study book by Securities Training Corporation, but since I didn't attend any of the training sessions I'm asking for help on how to study for the test. Should I just go through the whole book and memorize everything? Are there certain sections I should focus on more than others? Any help you guys could provide would be helpful, as I would like to pass this test on the first go.

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Best Response

I would focus on 1,7,8,9. These are not necessarily trickiest but are the ones you'll be most unfamiliar with as a first year (or any year, as a matter of fact) analyst. There are too many rules and exceptions and exceptions to exceptions to remember.

Other chapters are the usual valuation / fin analysis questions that you shouldn't have an issue with.

Also, do a LOT of the practice tests. It's easier to retain all that information through test, and besides, the questions on the test will be very similar.

And lastly, do NOT cram. The vast majority of my friends who crammed failed. And the vast majority of those who failed (probably) crammed.. Give yourself a week or 10 days, 3-5 hours a day every day.

 

"Who Does NOT Have to Take the Series 79 Exam? This new registration category does not cover individuals whose investment banking work is limited to municipal finance or direct participation programs such as limited partnerships. In addition, if the rep’s work is limited to effecting private securities offerings where the offering does not exceed $5 million and is sold only to accredited investors. In that case the reps may continue to function by passing the long established Series 82 Exam."

Does this mean if you're working at an LP like Blackstone, you don't have to take the exam? Apologies if this is a painfully stupid question.

 
 

Like the Series 7 I'm sure it is not advisable to go into it cold as it's a lot of rote memorization of fairly random topics, but you could end up getting lucky and save yourself a bunch of time studying. I hear you have a 3-attempt limit so you're probably ok to at least take a shot.

 

I don't think it matters; I used STC and got an 87 on the exam, even though I keep hearing that STC sucks and Knopman is better. Just make sure to do all the practice exams and memorize the topics that keep coming up in the practice exams over and over again. Good luck!

 

Do you guys study for this test like you did the Series 7?

I studied for the 7 by just doing practice exams, cuz you dont remember any of the reading anyway. Would you advise on this strategy for the 79?

 

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