Is the Series 7 or 79 harder?

The Series 7 is generally considered harder and broader, covering retail investments, while the Series 79 is more focused on investment banking (M&A, underwriting) but still difficult, requiring deep analytical and math skills, making it a tough, specialized exam often compared to the Series 7's depth but for a specific niche. Many view the Series 7 as the ultimate challenge due to its vast scope, but the Series 79's deep dive into complex financial transactions and data analysis makes it exceptionally challenging in its own right.

Is the Series 7 harder than 79?

Series 7: A 125-question exam with a duration of 3 hours and 45 minutes. Its difficulty stems from the sheer breadth of topics covered. Series 79: A 75-question exam with a duration of 2 hours and 5 minutes. While shorter, it is considered challenging due to its deep, technical focus on valuation and deal structuring.

Which FINRA series exam is the hardest?

To sell the broadest range of securities, an FA working for a broker/dealer must have a Series 7— General Securities Registered Representative. With a few exceptions, all other licenses orbit around the 7, which most FAs regard as the most difficult FINRA exam to pass.

Is the Series 7 a difficult exam?

The Series 7 is a challenging exam; the level of difficulty of the exam will depend on your current knowledge, previous work experience, and how well you prepare. If you commit yourself to a rigorous study plan you will be ready to sit for your qualification exam.

What is the pass rate of series 79?

The Series 79 exam is considered to be of hard difficulty. The Series 79 exam pass rate is 87%. Candidates must correctly answer 55 of 75 questions to achieve a passing score of 73%.

"Ask the Series 7 Guru" How much harder is your Series 7 Exam than your SIE Exam?

How many hours to study for series 79?

Studying for the Series 79

Depending on the amount of investment banking training you've gone through, expect to spend anywhere from 60 to 100 hours preparing for the Series 79 exam.

What is the hardest insurance exam to pass?

There isn't one single "hardest" insurance exam, but Property & Casualty (P&C) and Accident & Health (A&H) are often cited as tough due to their complex liability (P&C) and intricate policy details (A&H). The Nevada P&C exam stands out for its unusually high 80% passing score, making it notoriously difficult. Advanced financial licenses like FINRA Series 7 are also considered very challenging due to depth in stocks, bonds, and regulation. 

Is Series 7 harder than CPA?

The CPA exam is generally considered much harder than the Series 7 due to its broader scope (four sections vs. one) covering diverse accounting principles, lower pass rates (around 50% per section) requiring intense dedication, and higher educational prerequisites, while the Series 7 focuses on investments, has a higher pass rate (around 65-70%), and tests application under pressure, making it challenging but more focused. 

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar exam?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the bar exam, but not on her first try; she failed the Illinois bar initially, felt discouraged, but eventually passed on her second attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School and went on to have a successful legal career before becoming First Lady.
 

How many people fail Series 7?

The Series 7 pass rate is around 65-70%, meaning about 1 in 3 people fail on their first try. This exam is tough because it's long, detailed, and requires more than just memorization.

Is the Series 7 harder than the bar exam?

No, the Series 7 is generally considered less difficult than the Bar Exam, as the Bar tests broad legal principles with essays and is seen as more comprehensive, while the Series 7 focuses on specific financial products and rules through multiple-choice questions, making difficulty depend on your background, though both are challenging. Many find the Bar Exam's scope and essay component harder, while the Series 7's detailed application of complex financial rules can also be demanding.
 

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam?

There isn't one single "first toughest exam," as difficulty is subjective, but the Gaokao (China's college entrance exam), India's UPSC Civil Services Exam, and India's IIT-JEE are consistently ranked among the world's most challenging due to immense competition, vast syllabi, and low success rates, often determining life paths for millions. Other famously tough tests include the Master Sommelier Diploma, USMLE (Medical Licensing), and CFA (Finance).
 

What is the average salary for a Series 7 and 66?

As of Jan 11, 2026, the average annual pay for a Series 7 Series 66 Licensed in the United States is $127,750 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $61.42 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,456/week or $10,645/month.

Is the Series 7 math heavy?

The main difference between the exams is that the 66 emphasizes rules and ethics, while the 7 dives deeper into product details, trading mechanics, and math-heavy topics like bonds, municipal debt, and options.

What is the hardest FINRA exam to pass?

Candidates for both exams need sponsorship from a FINRA-member firm. You must pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam before taking the Series 6 or Series 7. The Series 7 exam is longer and considered more challenging than the Series 6.

What jobs require Series 79?

FINRA Series 79: This investment banking representative license is required for professionals advising on mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings, tender offers, and similar transactions in investment banking.

Did Joe Biden pass his bar exam?

Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969, after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, though he graduated in the lower part of his class. 

What was Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely in the 170s) to gain admission to Harvard Law School, especially given his undergraduate GPA was considered relatively low for Harvard applicants. Experts suggest his score was well above average, probably in the top percentile, possibly placing him in the 94th to 98th percentile range to compensate for his undergraduate record and secure admission.
 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in her most recent attempt (July 2025), though she shared that she came very close and vowed to keep studying, sharing her disappointment and determination to pass in future attempts on her show and social media, as revealed in late 2025. She stated she's "not a lawyer yet" but is dedicated to her law journey, viewing the setback as motivation, per reports from November 2025.
 

Can a CPA make 300k a year?

Yes, a CPA can absolutely make $300k, especially in senior leadership roles like Partner, CFO, or Director in large firms or corporations, or by owning a successful practice, though it typically requires significant experience (10+ years), specialization, business development, and working in high-cost areas like major cities, with partners at large firms often earning well over $300k. 

What is the Series 7 comparable to?

The Series 7 is a license, comparable to those you have to earn to sell real estate or insurance. Anyone who is a stockbroker must hold the Series 7 license. While also intense, this exam is generally believed to be significantly less difficult than the CFA.

What is the hardest exam in the US?

The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) stands as America's most challenging standardized test. This three-step examination process requires medical students to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge across all aspects of medicine.

What percentage of insurance agents fail?

92% of licensed agents never make it past their first year.

That statistic isn't meant to discourage you. It's meant to wake you up. The failure rate isn't because people aren't talented, passionate, or hardworking.

Is the Geico insurance exam hard?

The Geico assessment test described on this page is considered tough and requires preparation. The assessment test varies depending on the position. For sales and customer service positions, the assessment focuses more on your reading comprehension, typing, and computer skills, as well as your ability to multi-task.