New York City Police Officer Exam

The New York City Police Officer Exam, commonly called the NYPD exam or NYC police officer exam, is a civil-service assessment for people seeking appointment as NYPD officers. It helps evaluate whether candidates have abilities relevant to police work; it is not a test of academy training or a guarantee of appointment. The written exam’s format and tested skills are determined by the official notice for each cycle. Candidates should use the 2027–2028 exam announcement, when available, to confirm who may apply, application steps, and current selection requirements.

Preparation should begin with the official exam notice, since subjects and procedures can change between cycles. Depending on the announced assessment, candidates may need to strengthen reading comprehension, memory, reasoning, judgment, or other job-related skills. Reviewing patrol operations, radio communication, use-of-force principles, and arrest and custody procedures can build useful context, but these topics should not be assumed to appear on the written test unless the official syllabus says so. Selection may also involve additional screening after the exam, so candidates should check NYPD and NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services updates.