Memory + Observation
20-25%of exam
Spatial Orientation
15-20%of exam
Written Comprehension
15-20%of exam
Patrol GuideNY Penal LawPassage FactsProcedure ReadInference Rules
Ordering + Reasoning
40-45%of exam
Quick Facts
- Exam
- NYPD Officer
- Body
- NYC DCAS
- Time
- 1-2 hours
- Items
- ~55 MC
- Pass
- 70%
- Fee
- $54 filing
- List
- 4 years valid
- Series
- 6312-6322
Memory Drill
Read once; lock time place color direction.
TimePlaceColorDirectionWho
Memory vs Inference
Memory
- Exact recall
- Stated detail
- No guessing
Inference
- From passage
- Must be true
- Derived fact
Recall vs derive
Exam Facts
- DCAS
- NYC test adminBody
- ~55
- Multiple choice
- 70%
- Passing score
- $54
- Filing fee
- 6312-6322
- 2026 exam series
- 4 years
- List validity
- 21-35
- Age at appointment
Memory Tactics
- Study first
- Read fully onceCore
- Exact recall
- No guessing detail
- Color + clothing
- Track apparel
- Time + place
- Lock when/where
- Plate chars
- Letter order matters
- Direction fled
- N S E W
- Suspect count
- Who did what
- Weapon type
- Match to person
Manhattan Grid
Streets east-west; avenues north-south; uptown north.
Streets: E-WAvenues: N-SUptown: northHigher: north/west
Uptown vs Downtown
Uptown
- North
- Higher streets
- Lower Manhattan behind
Downtown
- South
- Lower streets
- Toward Battery
North vs south
Address Picker
- Higher street number→Go north(Uptown)
- Lower street number→Go south(Downtown)
- Higher avenue number→Go west(West side)
- Lower avenue number→Go east(East side)
- Target behind you→Turn around(Reverse)
- Facing north→East is right(Turn map)
- Shortest path→Fewest blocks(Direct)
- Subway direct→No transfer line(One train)
Manhattan Grid
- Streets
- Run east-westGrid
- Avenues
- Run north-south
- Uptown
- North; higher streets
- Downtown
- South; lower streets
- 1st Ave
- East side
- 10th Ave
- West side
- Facing north
- East is right
- Facing south
- East is left
Street vs Avenue
Street
- East-west
- Numbered
- Cross town
Avenue
- North-south
- Numbered east-west
- Long blocks
E-W vs N-S
Comprehension Rule
Passage only; no outside knowledge.
Text onlyNo priorExact wordsEliminate extras
Fact vs Opinion
Fact
- Passage states
- Objective
- Verifiable
Opinion
- Not in text
- Subjective
- Eliminate
Stated vs assumed
Comprehension Picker
- What passage says→Fact answer(Text only)
- Must be true→Inference(Derived)
- Procedure question→Follow passage(Not prior)
- Time math→Count hours(24-hr rule)
- Violation check→Compare rule(Deductive)
- Not listed→Eliminate extras(Boundary)
Patrol Guide Read
- Passage only
- Text is truthRule
- UF-250
- Stop report form
- Level 3 stop
- Needs worksheet
- Aided case
- Sick or injured
- 10-13
- Officer needs help
- Memo book
- Chronological log
- No erasures
- Line + initial
- Vouchering
- Same tour property
Statute Facts
- PL 140.20
- Burglary 3rd
- PL 155.30
- Grand larceny 4th
- PL 120.00
- Assault 3rd
- VTL 1192
- DWI statute
- Terry frisk
- Outer clothing only
- DAT
- Desk appearance ticket
- Probable cause
- Arrest threshold
Ordering Rule
Safety aid secure investigate document.
SafetyAidSecureInvestigateDocument
Inductive vs Deductive
Inductive
- Many facts
- Find pattern
- Likely conclusion
Deductive
- Given rule
- Apply to case
- Violation or OK
Pattern vs rule
Sequence Picker
- Crime scene→Safety then aid(Secure first)
- Vehicle stop→Observe then lights(Plate first)
- Arrest process→Cause then cuff(PC first)
- 911 dispatch→Answer then locate(Call first)
- Domestic call→Knock then separate(Announce)
- Property recovery→Photo then tag(Document)
- Shoplifting→Observe detain transport(Chronological)
- Missing child→Report photo notify(AMBER last)
Ordering Steps
- 911 first
- Call starts timelineOrder
- Observe first
- Before detain
- Safety first
- Scene secure
- Aid before canvas
- Help injured
- Knock announce
- Before entry
- Separate parties
- Domestic first
- Chronological
- Earliest event first
Chronology vs Priority
Chronology
- Time sequence
- Earliest first
- Event order
Priority
- Safety first
- Then aid
- Then investigate
When vs what first
Problem Indicators
- Casing
- Surveillance pattern
- Diversion
- One distracts owner
- Pre-attack
- Waistband check
- Out-of-season
- Heavy clothes heat
- Coercion
- Partner speaks for
- Pry marks
- Forced entry sign
- Pinpoint pupils
- Opioid overdose
Reasoning Rules
- Inductive
- Pattern to conclusion
- Deductive
- Rule to scenario
- Same MO
- Likely one offender
- Apply rule
- Exact conditions
- Violation
- Rule not followed
- 24 hours
- Watch time math
Common Traps
Memory vs guess
Recall exact detail ≠ Do not infer color
Uptown vs downtown
Higher street is north ≠ Lower is south
East vs west
Higher avenue is west ≠ Lower is east
Text vs prior
Answer from passage ≠ Not NYPD knowledge
Order vs priority
Chronology is time ≠ Safety overrides
Inductive vs deductive
Pattern from facts ≠ Rule to case
Last Minute
- 1.Pass = 70%; ~55 questions
- 2.$54 filing; series 6312-6322
- 3.Memory: exact recall only
- 4.Streets E-W; avenues N-S
- 5.Higher street = north
- 6.Higher avenue = west
- 7.Comprehension: passage only
- 8.Order: earliest event first
- 9.Safety before investigation
- 10.Inductive = pattern; deductive = rule
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