The NYPD Exam Format — What Is Actually on It

The nine abilities

Written comprehension, written expression, memorization, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, spatial orientation and visualization.

Every one is cognitive. There is no personality inventory, integrity questionnaire or situational-judgment component in the scored multiple-choice test — a genuine difference from many modern public-safety examinations, and the reason the whole examination can be honestly prepared.

What DCAS does not publish

There is no published number of questions and no published weighting between the abilities. Preparation material quoting a specific count is repeating another preparation site, and the figures in circulation disagree with each other by around thirty questions. RankHigh's own simulations use an even split across the nine, described as RankHigh's design rather than as the examination's shape.

Applying, and the eligible list

DCAS publishes a Notice of Examination for each exam number, with its own filing period. Appointment runs down a ranked eligible list, so the practical question after passing is where you sit rather than whether you cleared the bar.

Filing periods change with each series, so check the current Notice at nyc.gov/dcas rather than any third-party summary — including this one.

This is not the New York State exam

County and municipal agencies across New York State use a different examination, written by the Department of Civil Service and covering four subject areas rather than nine. If you are applying outside New York City, that is the test you are sitting.

Related guides

• NYPD Memorization Questions
• NYPD Spatial Orientation Questions
• NYPD Reasoning and Ordering Questions