NYPD Police Officer Exam: NYC DCAS Notice Guide

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The NYPD Police Officer examination path is a New York City civil service process administered through the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). Candidates apply in OASys during the filing window published in the controlling Notice of Examination (NOE). This page is not a New York State Civil Service guide.

Key takeaway: NYPD / NYC DCAS and New York State Civil Service are separate systems. Use the current DCAS NOE for the exam number you file for; do not generalize one notice to every future exam.

Return to the Police and Dispatcher Tests hub. For general multi-jurisdiction written exams, see Police Written Exam. For New York State titles outside NYC, see NYS Civil Service Exam.

What the current NOE framework covers

DCAS publishes Police Officer Notices of Examination with specific exam numbers, application and scheduling periods, and testing periods. An amended January 14, 2026 notice covering Exam Nos. 6314, 6315, 6316, 6323, 6318, 6319, 6320, 6321, and 6322 is one current example series. Application fees and windows in that series have been updated in the amended notice, including a $0.00 fee presentation for later exam numbers in the series. Always open the NOE PDF for the exam number you intend to take.

NYC Police Officer path versus other systems

Topic	NYC Police Officer path
Exam owner	NYC DCAS Notice of Examination; appointment processing through NYPD pathways described in city materials
Application system	OASys at the official NYC exams-for-jobs portal during the published filing period
Written test	Computer-based multiple-choice test; the January 2026 amended NOE states a passing score of at least 70%
List outcome	Passing candidates may be placed on an eligible list; list placement is not an appointment guarantee
Not this page	New York State Civil Service exams, California PELLETB, or generic national police products

Minimum qualifications in the NOE

The amended January 2026 Police Officer NOE states education and experience requirements that must be met by appointment, including a high school diploma or equivalent plus either college credits or honorable full-time U.S. military service as described in the notice. Age rules in that notice include being at least 17 to take the multiple-choice test, attaining age 20 years and 6 months for appointment, and not having reached age 35 on the first date of the application period, with military-duty age deductions defined in the notice. Citizenship is required at appointment. A valid unrestricted New York State driver license is required on the appointment date. Residency for appointment follows New York State Public Officers Law residence counties listed in the NOE.

Verify every figure against the NOE for your exam number. Do not import older notices or New York State rules.

Multiple-choice abilities named in the NOE

The January 2026 amended NOE states that the multiple-choice test may include questions requiring deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, memorization, problem sensitivity, spatial orientation, visualization, written comprehension, and written expression. Certain questions may rely on documents supplied on test day. Calculators are not permitted under the exam-site rules in that notice.

After the written test

Passing the multiple-choice test can lead to eligible-list placement. NYPD and city materials describe later stages that can include medical and psychological assessment, physical testing, drug screening, and character and background review. Those stages are controlled by official NYPD and DCAS instructions. This page does not provide evasion guidance for background, medical, psychological, drug, or polygraph processes.

Optional third-party practice

After you read the NOE for your exam number, broader timed practice for common police written abilities may help with pacing. Broader police exam practice from JobTestPrep is an independent commercial option. No exact NYPD product page was verified as a live destination for this update, so this CTA is labeled as broad practice, not an official NYPD replica. Compare coverage with your NOE before purchasing.

NYPD Police Exam Practice Test

Answer each question before checking the explanation.

Recommended timing:

30 questions
35 minutes

For a harder timed drill:

30 questions
25 minutes

Section 1: Reading Comprehension

Read the passage and answer Questions 1-5.

Officers responding to a disturbance call should first assess the scene for immediate safety risks. These risks may include weapons, injured persons, aggressive behavior, traffic hazards or a subject attempting to flee. Officers should communicate relevant information to dispatch, follow department procedure and request assistance when necessary.

Question 1: Main Idea

What is the main idea of the passage?

• A. Officers should ignore disturbance calls unless someone is injured
• B. Officers should assess safety risks, communicate and follow procedure
• C. Officers should never request assistance
• D. Officers should only focus on traffic hazards

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Officers should assess safety risks, communicate and follow procedure

The passage focuses on safety assessment, communication, procedure and assistance when needed.

Question 2: Stated Detail

Which risk is specifically mentioned in the passage?

• A. Weather conditions
• B. Weapons
• C. Parking tickets
• D. Court dates

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Weapons

The passage lists weapons as a possible immediate safety risk.

Question 3: Communication

According to the passage, officers should communicate relevant information to:

• A. Dispatch
• B. The media
• C. A neighbor only
• D. No one

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: A. Dispatch

The passage states that officers should communicate relevant information to dispatch.

Question 4: Assistance

According to the passage, officers should request assistance:

• A. When necessary
• B. Never
• C. Only after leaving the scene
• D. Only if a civilian asks

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: A. When necessary

The passage says officers should request assistance when necessary.

Question 5: Unsupported Statement

Which statement is not supported by the passage?

• A. Officers should assess safety risks
• B. Aggressive behavior may be a risk
• C. Officers should always ignore a subject attempting to flee
• D. Officers should follow department procedure

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: C. Officers should always ignore a subject attempting to flee

The passage lists a subject attempting to flee as a safety risk. It does not say to ignore it.

Section 2: NYPD-Style Situational Judgment

Question 6: Angry Member of the Public

A person is angry and yelling during a non-emergency contact. No weapon is visible, and no one appears injured.

What is the best response?

• A. Yell back to establish authority
• B. Stay calm, maintain safety and communicate professionally
• C. Ignore the person completely
• D. Threaten arrest immediately only because the person is upset

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Stay calm, maintain safety and communicate professionally

A strong police judgment answer shows professionalism, emotional control and safety awareness.

Question 7: Possible Weapon

A witness tells you a subject may have a knife. You have not yet seen the subject.

What is the best response?

• A. Ignore the information because the witness may be wrong
• B. Treat the information as a safety concern and follow procedure
• C. Rush in without communicating
• D. Leave the scene without updating anyone

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Treat the information as a safety concern and follow procedure

A possible weapon should be treated as a safety concern until clarified.

Question 8: Report Accuracy

You realize you made an error in an incident report after submitting it.

What is the best response?

• A. Ignore the error unless someone notices
• B. Correct the error according to department procedure and notify the appropriate person if required
• C. Delete the report without telling anyone
• D. Blame another officer

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Correct the error according to department procedure and notify the appropriate person if required

This response shows integrity, accountability and respect for accurate documentation.

Question 9: Coworker Misconduct

You observe another officer adding a detail to a report that did not happen.

What is the best response?

• A. Ignore it because the detail seems minor
• B. Address or report the issue according to policy
• C. Add false details to your own report too
• D. Post about it online

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Address or report the issue according to policy

Report falsification is an integrity issue. The strongest response uses the proper channel.

Question 10: Unclear Instruction

A supervisor gives you a non-emergency instruction, but you are unsure what they mean.

What should you do first?

• A. Guess and act quickly
• B. Ask for clarification respectfully
• C. Ignore the instruction
• D. Complain publicly

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Ask for clarification respectfully

Clarifying instructions helps prevent errors and shows professionalism.

Section 3: Report Writing and Written Communication

Read the incident details and answer Questions 11-15.

At approximately 8:40 p.m., Officer Rivera responded to 1250 East Cedar Road for a reported vehicle break-in. The reporting party, Luis Perez, stated that he parked his black Toyota Corolla in the apartment lot at 7:15 p.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. to find the front passenger window broken. Perez stated that a gray backpack containing a laptop was missing from the front passenger seat. Officer Rivera observed broken glass on the ground near the passenger door. No suspect was located at the scene.

Question 11: Best Report Summary

Which is the best report summary?

• A. Luis Perez was careless and someone probably stole his laptop.
• B. Officer Rivera responded to 1250 East Cedar Road for a reported vehicle break-in. Perez stated that his black Toyota Corolla had a broken front passenger window and that a gray backpack containing a laptop was missing. Officer Rivera observed broken glass near the passenger door.
• C. Some guy said his stuff was gone and there was glass.
• D. The suspect was obviously a professional thief.

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B.

This summary is factual, clear and includes key details without unsupported opinions.

Question 12: Reporting Party

Who was the reporting party?

• A. Officer Rivera
• B. Luis Perez
• C. Marcus Hill
• D. Daniel Reed

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Luis Perez

Luis Perez was the reporting party.

Question 13: Vehicle

What vehicle was involved?

• A. Black Toyota Corolla
• B. Gray Toyota Camry
• C. Black Honda Civic
• D. White Toyota Corolla

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: A. Black Toyota Corolla

The scenario states that the vehicle was a black Toyota Corolla.

Question 14: Officer Observation

What did Officer Rivera observe?

• A. The suspect running away
• B. Broken glass near the passenger door
• C. A weapon on the front seat
• D. The laptop inside the vehicle

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Broken glass near the passenger door

Officer Rivera observed broken glass on the ground near the passenger door.

Question 15: Unsupported Statement

Which statement is not supported by the incident details?

• A. Perez stated that a gray backpack was missing
• B. The front passenger window was broken
• C. No suspect was located at the scene
• D. Officer Rivera identified the suspect at the scene

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: D. Officer Rivera identified the suspect at the scene

The scenario says no suspect was located.

Section 4: Memory and Observation

Study the details for 45 seconds, then answer Questions 16-21.

Vehicle: red Ford Escape
License plate: 8LQZ319
Driver: female, blue jacket
Passenger: male, gray hoodie
Direction: west on Pine Avenue
Time observed: 8:35 p.m.
Location: 5th Street and Pine Avenue

Question 16: Vehicle

What vehicle was observed?

• A. Red Ford Escape
• B. Blue Ford Escape
• C. Red Ford Explorer
• D. Red Honda Civic

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: A. Red Ford Escape

The vehicle was a red Ford Escape.

Question 17: License Plate

What was the license plate?

• A. 8LQZ391
• B. 8LQZ319
• C. 8LZQ319
• D. 8LQX319

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. 8LQZ319

The exact license plate was 8LQZ319.

Question 18: Driver Description

What was the driver wearing?

• A. Blue jacket
• B. Gray hoodie
• C. Black coat
• D. Red shirt

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: A. Blue jacket

The driver was described as wearing a blue jacket.

Question 19: Passenger Description

What was the passenger wearing?

• A. Blue jacket
• B. Gray hoodie
• C. Black backpack
• D. White shirt

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Gray hoodie

The passenger was described as wearing a gray hoodie.

Question 20: Direction

Which direction was the vehicle traveling?

• A. East on Pine Avenue
• B. West on Pine Avenue
• C. North on 5th Street
• D. South on Oak Street

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. West on Pine Avenue

The vehicle was traveling west on Pine Avenue.

Question 21: Time

What time was the vehicle observed?

• A. 8:25 p.m.
• B. 8:35 p.m.
• C. 8:53 p.m.
• D. 9:35 p.m.

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. 8:35 p.m.

The time observed was 8:35 p.m.

Section 5: Basic Math and Reasoning

Question 22: Addition

An officer completes 14 reports in one week and 19 reports the next week. How many reports are completed total?

• A. 29
• B. 31
• C. 33
• D. 35

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: C. 33

14 + 19 = 33

Question 23: Percentage

What is 25% of 120?

• A. 20
• B. 25
• C. 30
• D. 35

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: C. 30

25% is one quarter.

120 ÷ 4 = 30

Question 24: Time

A shift begins at 6:45 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. How long is the shift?

• A. 7 hours 30 minutes
• B. 8 hours
• C. 8 hours 30 minutes
• D. 9 hours

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: C. 8 hours 30 minutes

6:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. = 8 hours
2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. = 30 minutes
Total = 8 hours 30 minutes

Question 25: Rule Application

Policy:

If a report involves property damage, photographs must be included when available. The incident involves property damage, and photographs are available.

What must the officer do?

• A. Include photographs
• B. Ignore the photographs
• C. Submit no report
• D. Wait one month

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: A. Include photographs

The rule says photographs must be included when available.

Question 26: Must Be True

Statement:

All officers assigned to Zone 3 must attend the briefing. Officer Lee is assigned to Zone 3.

What must be true?

• A. Officer Lee must attend the briefing
• B. Officer Lee is a supervisor
• C. All officers are assigned to Zone 3
• D. The briefing is optional

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: A. Officer Lee must attend the briefing

The conclusion follows directly from the statement.

Section 6: Grammar and Clarity

Question 27: Subject-Verb Agreement

Choose the correctly written sentence.

• A. The officers was reviewing the report.
• B. The officers were reviewing the report.
• C. The officers is reviewing the report.
• D. The officers be reviewing the report.

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. The officers were reviewing the report.

“Officers” is plural, so the correct verb is “were.”

Question 28: Professional Sentence

Which sentence is clearest and most professional?

• A. The guy did something near the thing.
• B. Officer Harris observed the subject place a black bag under the passenger seat.
• C. It was weird and probably bad.
• D. Someone handled the situation somehow.

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B.

This sentence is clear, factual and specific.

Question 29: Unsupported Opinion

Which sentence should be avoided because it contains an unsupported opinion?

• A. The subject was wearing a gray hoodie.
• B. The vehicle was parked near the entrance.
• C. The subject was obviously planning a crime.
• D. The officer arrived at 9:10 p.m.

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: C. The subject was obviously planning a crime.

This sentence states a conclusion that is not supported by observable facts.

Question 30: Spelling

Choose the correctly spelled word.

• A. Suspiscious
• B. Suspicious
• C. Suspicous
• D. Suspishous

Answer and Explanation

Correct answer: B. Suspicious

“Suspicious” is the correct spelling.

NYPD Police Exam Answer Key

Question	Section	Correct Answer
1	Reading comprehension	B
2	Reading comprehension	B
3	Reading comprehension	A
4	Reading comprehension	A
5	Reading comprehension	C
6	Situational judgment	B
7	Situational judgment	B
8	Report integrity	B
9	Ethics	B
10	Communication	B
11	Report writing	B
12	Detail accuracy	B
13	Detail accuracy	A
14	Observation	B
15	Unsupported statement	D
16	Memory	A
17	Memory	B
18	Memory	A
19	Memory	B
20	Memory	B
21	Memory	B
22	Math	C
23	Math	C
24	Time calculation	C
25	Rule application	A
26	Logical reasoning	A
27	Grammar	B
28	Written communication	B
29	Objective writing	C
30	Spelling	B

Official sources

• DCAS Police Officer Amended Notice of Examination (January 14, 2026)
• NYC OASys / exams for jobs portal
• DCAS applying for an exam
• NYPD police officer careers landing

When your invitation covers several skill areas, broader Assessment test preparation can support mixed review before test day.

For ranked-response or work-style sections, situational judgment preparation may also be useful when you need extra drills under time pressure.

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