NYPD Practice Test : Free Exam Questions & Study Guide
The NYPD Police Officer selection process is one of the most competitive in the country, beginning with a rigorous written entrance exam. Our free NYPD practice test resources are designed to help you master the memory, reading comprehension, and spatial orientation skills required for the NYPD Police Department exam.
Whether you are preparing for the NYPD Recruit entrance exam or the auxiliary police test, this guide covers everything from salary expectations to the physical agility test. Start your journey to becoming one of New York's finest today with our comprehensive study materials.
Note: The NYPD Police Department requires candidates to have 60 college credits or 2 years of military service before hiring, though you can take the NYPD Exam before meeting these requirements. Scores are valid for 4 years.
Free NYPD Exam Questions
Our NYPD practice test modules cover essential topics like written comprehension, spatial orientation, and logical reasoning. Use these NYPD Police questions to simulate the actual exam environment and identify areas for improvement.
NYPD Exam Flashcards
Click to flip and review key concepts
NYPD Exam Study Guide
This NYPD study guide breaks down critical aspects of the NYPD Police Department selection process. From eligibility to scoring, these sections answer common questions about becoming an NYPD Police Officer.
| What is the NYPD Exam? | The NYPD Exam is a civil service test required for anyone wishing to become an NYPD Police Officer. It assesses cognitive abilities needed for police work. |
| Who can take the NYPD Recruit test? | Anyone aged 17.5 to 35 with a high school diploma can take the NYPD Recruit exam, though hiring requires 60 college credits and being 21. |
| Do I need to live in NYC? | You must live in one of the five boroughs or Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, or Orange counties to be an NYPD Police officer. |
| What is the NYPD Cadet Corps? | The NYPD Cadet program allows college students to work part-time while gaining experience towards becoming a full-time NYPD Police Officer. |
| How many questions are on the NYPD exam? | The NYPD Entrance Exam typically consists of 55 to 60 multiple-choice questions designed to test various cognitive skills. |
| What topics are covered on the NYPD test? | The NYPD Police Department test covers memory, written comprehension, spatial orientation, visualization, and deductive/inductive reasoning. |
| How long is the NYPD exam? | Candidates generally have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the written portion of the NYPD Police Officer exam. |
| Is the NYPD exam hard? | The NYPD Exam is competitive. While the passing score is 70%, higher scores are needed to be called quickly from the civil service list. |
| How do I register for the NYPD exam? | You can register for the NYPD Exam through the DCAS Online Application System (OASys) or at a Computer-based Testing & Application Center. |
| What is the NYPD exam fee? | The application fee for the NYPD Police Officer exam is approximately $40, though fee waivers are available for certain groups. |
| How often is the NYPD test given? | The NYPD Police Department offers the exam periodically, often several times a year. Check the DCAS schedule for current dates. |
| Can I apply for NYPD Online? | Yes, most of the application process for the NYPD Recruit position, including exam registration, is handled through the NYPD Online portal. |
| What is a passing score for NYPD? | A score of 70% is required to pass the NYPD Exam, but due to high competition, aim for 95% or higher for priority processing. |
| When do I get my NYPD test results? | Preliminary results are often available immediately after the computer-based NYPD Police exam, with official list numbers following months later. |
| What happens after passing the NYPD exam? | After passing, you undergo a medical exam, written and oral psychological exams, a background check, and the Job Standard Test (JST) for NYPD Recruit fitness. |
| Can I retake the NYPD test? | Yes, if you fail or want a higher score, you can retake the NYPD Exam during the next open filing period. |
| What is the starting salary for NYPD? | The starting salary for an NYPD Recruit is approximately $58,580, which increases significantly over the first 5.5 years of service. |
| What is the top pay for NYPD Police Officer? | After 5.5 years, an NYPD Police Officer can earn a base salary of over $121,000, not including overtime and holiday pay. |
| Does NYPD offer good benefits? | Yes, the NYPD Police Department provides comprehensive health insurance, annuity funds, paid vacation, and a pension after 22 years of service. |
| Do NYPD officers get overtime? | Yes, overtime is common for an NYPD Police Officer, significantly boosting total annual compensation beyond the base salary. |
NYPD Test Format
The NYPD Police Officer exam evaluates specific cognitive abilities essential for law enforcement. The NYPD Exam is not just about law knowledge but about your capacity to learn and apply rules.
Tests ability to understand written sentences and paragraphs. Critical for reading NYPD Police reports and legal documents.
- Topics: Incident reports, legal definitions, procedures
- Questions: Approx. 10-15 questions
Measures ability to recall photos or information after a brief viewing. An NYPD Recruit must remember suspect details.
- Topics: Photo observation, crime scene details
- Questions: Approx. 5-10 questions
Tests ability to determine location relative to objects. Essential for navigating NYC streets as an NYPD Police Officer.
- Topics: Map reading, cardinal directions, shortest paths
- Questions: Approx. 5-10 questions
Applying general rules to specific problems. Used by the NYPD Police Department to test rule application in field scenarios.
- Topics: Applying procedures to incidents, solving crimes
- Questions: Approx. 10-12 questions
Combining specific information to form general conclusions. An NYPD Recruit uses this to link evidence to suspects.
- Topics: Identifying trends, drawing conclusions from clues
- Questions: Approx. 10-12 questions
Imagining how something will look when moved or rearranged. Helpful for NYPD Police scene reconstruction.
- Topics: Object rotation, scene changes
- Questions: Approx. 5-8 questions
The NYPD Exam emphasizes memory skills heavily. In the memory section, you will have about 5-10 minutes to study a photo or sketch. You are not allowed to take notes. After the study period, the image is removed, and you must answer questions based solely on your memory. Practice observing details like clothing colors, time on a clock, and locations of objects.
NYPD Score Calculator
Estimate your NYPD Exam score based on the number of correct answers.
NYPD Salary Information
The NYPD Police Department offers a competitive salary structure that increases significantly over the first 5.5 years of service.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Monthly Income | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit | $58,580 | ~$4,881 | Start |
| Officer (1.5 Yrs) | $60,000 | ~$5,000 | 18 Months |
| Officer (2.5 Yrs) | $64,000 | ~$5,333 | 30 Months |
| Officer (3.5 Yrs) | $69,000 | ~$5,750 | 42 Months |
| Officer (5.5 Yrs) | $121,589 | ~$10,132 | Top Pay |
With overtime, night differential, and holiday pay, a top-pay NYPD Police Officer can earn significantly more than the base salary listed above. The benefits package also includes unlimited sick leave with full pay and a pension after 22 years.
How to Become a NYPD Officer
The journey from NYPD Recruit to sworn officer involves several rigorous steps. This timeline outlines the standard process for joining the NYPD Police Department.
- Register for Exam - Apply through DCAS online for the NYPD Exam.
- Take Written Exam - Pass the computer-based multiple-choice test.
- Background Investigation - Undergo a thorough character and background check.
- Medical & Psych Exams - Pass rigorous medical screening and written/oral psychological exams.
- Job Standard Test (JST) - Complete the physical agility test within the required time (4:28).
- Police Academy - Attend the NYPD Police Academy in College Point, Queens for approx. 6 months.
- Probationary Period - Serve as a probationary NYPD Police Officer for 18 months before gaining tenure.
NYPD Certification Costs
While employment is the goal, there are initial costs associated with becoming an NYPD Police Officer. Understanding these expenses helps you prepare financially.
The NYPD Exam fee may be waived for veterans, unemployment benefit recipients, and those receiving public assistance. Additionally, while recruits buy their initial equipment, a uniform allowance is provided annually to NYPD Police officers after hiring.
NYPD Career Paths
Explore specialized roles within the NYPD Police Department
NYPD Testing Contacts
Official contact points for NYPD Recruit inquiries and exam information.
You can speak directly with an NYPD Police recruiter to get answers about the application process, exam dates, and medical requirements. Visit the official NYPD careers website to find a recruitment center near you.
NYPD Test Day Checklist
Ready to Join the NYPD?
Start your preparation today with our free NYPD Recruit practice tests. Master the exam, pass the physical, and start your career as one of New York's finest.
TAKE FREE NYPD PRACTICE TESTNYPD Promotion & Career Growth
While the NYPD Police Officer position doesn't require "renewal" like a license, career advancement requires passing promotional exams. Here is the path to promotion.
The NYPD Police Department is unique in that promotions to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain are based on competitive civil service exams, not just appointments. This allows any NYPD Police Officer to rise through the ranks based on study and performance.
NYPD Exam Frequently Asked Questions
To find NYPD near me, visit the official NYPD Online precinct locator on the NYC.gov website. You can search by address or zip code to find your local precinct for community affairs or reporting issues.
Yes, you can apply for the NYPD Exam and manage your entire application process through the NYPD Online candidate portal. This includes scheduling exams and tracking your investigation status.
You can take the NYPD Exam at age 17.5. To be hired as an NYPD Recruit, you must be at least 21 years old and not have reached your 35th birthday before the exam date.
Yes, to be hired as an NYPD Police Officer, you need 60 college credits with a 2.0 GPA. However, 2 years of full-time active military service can waive the education requirement.
The NYPD Recruit training at the police academy lasts approximately 6 months. It includes academic instruction, physical training, tactical training, and driver training.
Every NYPD Police Officer receives an annual uniform allowance to maintain their appearance. The initial NYPD Uniform cost is significant, but the allowance helps offset maintenance and replacement.
No, the Auxiliary NYPD is a volunteer force. While unpaid, it provides uniform allowance and is an excellent way to gain experience before becoming a sworn NYPD Police Officer.
The psychological component of the NYPD Recruit process is rigorous. It includes a written test (Standardized Psychological Test) and an oral interview with a psychologist to ensure suitability for NYPD Police duty.
No, you must start as a uniformed NYPD Police Officer. Promotion to NYPD Detective is a discretionary advancement based on merit, experience, and investigative ability, typically after several years on patrol.
Yes, once hired as an NYPD Recruit, you are a paid employee of the city. You earn a salary and benefits from your first day at the academy.