NYPD Test Online Preparation - Your NYPD Career Starts Here

Possibly the most important part of the New York City Police Department hiring process is the NYPD test, often referred to as the police officer written exam. The NYPD test aims to measure the cognitive capabilities that police officer candidates possess, especially those that correlate directly with what is needed in daily police work in New York City. 

The NYPD test is timed, and the questions can be very challenging - a dangerous combo that, without proper preparation, can easily result in falling short of the required passing score. This is why accurate prep is key.

The NYPD Test is a timed computer-based test given in a multiple-choice format. You will have 2.5 hours to answer approximately 85 questions, which reflect the on-the-job activities of New York City police officers.

The NYPD exam evaluates the following competencies. These include:

• Memorization – The memory section of the test is considered to be the most difficult part of the entire exam. You will have 10 minutes to carefully study the details of a photo. You may not take notes; and once the viewing time has elapsed, you may not look back at the picture. Expect the questions to cover the smallest and most remote aspects of the photo.
• Spatial Orientation – Not only does this part of the assessment evaluate your relative (left-right) and absolute (north-south) directional skills, it also requires a degree of reading comprehension, attention to detail, and problem-solving. Many questions in this section will provide you with a map and ask you to find the fastest route between two places. Other questions may be presented in the form of a written scenario where you need to determine the last known direction or location of a person or object.
• Written Comprehension –  A written comprehension test determines your ability to read and understand written information. In this section, you are presented with several passages pertaining to police work (e.g. a sample crime report). After each passage, you will be asked a series of questions regarding details from the text.
• Written Expression – In this section, you are tasked with restating information from a document (e.g. an incident report) so that it can be easily understood while retaining its original meaning. Having strong grammar and writing skills is a must when completing this section.
• Information Ordering – This section involves sequencing rules or actions. The questions can include letters, numbers, pictures, words, procedures, sentences, and mathematical/logical operations to be placed in order.
• Inductive Reasoning – The assessment measures the ability to implement a rule in a new scenario. Offence classifications are presented, and the task is to identify the crime committed within a specific scenario. Some items will involve witness statements, requiring you to indicate the statement that is most likely to be accurate or inaccurate.
• Visualization – This skill measures your ability to identify an object after it has been superficially altered or re-positioned. You will encounter diagrams, geometric shapes, floor plans, and pictures of human faces.
• Deductive Reasoning – This section involves applying a rule to specific problems in the most logical way. This test section involves tables, picture matching, and lists of detailed information.
• Problem Sensitivity – In this section of the NYPD test, you are evaluated on your ability to identify issues in a variety of police-related scenarios. Examples include spotting a problematic testimony, identifying an incongruency with procedures, or suspicious information at a crime scene. 

In the questions below you will get a taste of the kinds of questions you will be facing in your NYPD test. Take a few minutes in a quiet spot to solve them, and see how you do.

These questions ask you to find optimal routes using maps or audio descriptions. As a New York police officer, you will need to be able to direct the public and navigate public environments efficiently, and these questions measure this capability.

This test section measures your ability to correctly sequence rules, actions, and steps - an essential skill for law enforcement officers who must follow procedures accurately and in order. In Information Ordering questions, you may be asked to arrange letters, numbers, images, words, sentences, procedures, or mathematical and logical operations into the correct sequence. Success in this section depends on attention to detail, logical reasoning, and your ability to process information quickly and accurately under exam conditions.

Visit our NY Police Exams for additional information or check out our Free NYPD Practice Test for more questions with full solutions!

The New York City Police Department is interested in hiring only the best candidates to become police officers, and earn a NYPD badge and uniform. The hiring process is comprised of the following elements:

• NYPD Written entrance exam: Administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
• Initial Screening & Interview: Includes fingerprinting, document review, and an interview with an assigned investigator.
• Medical Examination: A full medical evaluation covering vision, hearing, EKG, blood pressure, and drug screening (often hair testing).
• Background character investigation: A detailed character and background check reviewing education, employment history, and any criminal record.
• Psychological Examination: Consists of a written psychological test and an in-person interview with a licensed psychologist.
• Job Standard Test - this is the NYPD physical test which is built of six challenging physical tasks that need to be completed in under four minutes and twenty eight seconds. The aim of this test is to see that you have the physical strength and endurance to begin training to be a New York Police Department police officer. The NYPD physical test includes: running, stair climbing, fence surmount, restraint simulation, and a mannequin drag.
• Police Academy Appointment: Candidates who pass all phases may receive an offer and begin paid NYPD Police Academy training.