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What are the three stages of money laundering?

Placement, Structuring, and Integration

Placement, Layering, and Integration

Placement, Layering, and Distribution

Acquisition, Layering, and Integration

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CAMS Exam

75%

Passing Score Required

~90/120 correct

120

Exam Questions

3.5 hours

80,000+

CAMS Certified Worldwide

ACAMS 2025

$1,295-$1,695

Exam Fee

Plus ACAMS membership

15-25%

Salary Premium

For CAMS-certified professionals

60-100 hrs

Recommended Study

4-8 weeks preparation

The CAMS exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions with a 3.5-hour time limit and requires a 75% passing score. There are over 80,000 CAMS-certified professionals worldwide. ACAMS membership is required to take the exam. The certification is highly valued in compliance roles, with CAMS-certified professionals earning 15-25% more than non-certified peers in AML positions.

Sample CAMS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CAMS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What are the three stages of money laundering?

A.Placement, Structuring, and Integration

B.Placement, Layering, and Integration

C.Placement, Layering, and Distribution

D.Acquisition, Layering, and Integration

Explanation: The three classic stages of money laundering are: 1) Placement - introducing illicit funds into the financial system; 2) Layering - conducting complex transactions to obscure the source; 3) Integration - reintroducing the laundered funds into the legitimate economy.

2What is the primary purpose of the Wolfsberg Group?

A.To enforce AML laws globally

B.To develop AML guidance for private banks

C.To prosecute money laundering cases

D.To issue sanctions against high-risk jurisdictions

Explanation: The Wolfsberg Group is an association of global banks that develops financial industry guidelines and standards for AML, KYC, and counter-terrorist financing policies, particularly for private banking.

3Under the USA PATRIOT Act, what is the deadline for filing a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) after discovery?

A.15 calendar days

B.30 calendar days

C.45 calendar days

D.60 calendar days

Explanation: Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and USA PATRIOT Act, financial institutions must file SARs within 30 calendar days of the initial detection of suspicious activity.

4Which technique is most commonly associated with the layering stage of money laundering?

A.Depositing cash in small amounts at multiple branches

B.Converting cash into monetary instruments

C.Using multiple accounts and complex transactions to obscure the audit trail

D.Purchasing real estate with illicit funds

Explanation: Layering involves creating complex layers of financial transactions to obscure the audit trail and disguise the source of funds. This typically includes wire transfers between multiple accounts, shell companies, and jurisdictions.

5What is trade-based money laundering (TBML)?

A.Using physical cash to purchase trade goods

B.Exploiting international trade transactions to move value and disguise proceeds

C.Smuggling goods across borders without declaring them

D.Using cryptocurrency to pay for international shipments

Explanation: TBML involves exploiting international trade transactions to transfer value and disguise the origins of illicit proceeds. Common techniques include mis-invoicing, multiple invoicing, and fictitious transactions.

6Which international organization sets global AML/CFT standards through its 40 Recommendations?

A.World Bank

B.International Monetary Fund (IMF)

C.Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

D.Egmont Group

Explanation: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the intergovernmental body that sets international standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing through its 40 Recommendations.

7A PEP is defined as a person who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function. What does PEP stand for?

A.Public Economic Person

B.Politically Exposed Person

C.Private Equity Partner

D.Public Enforcement Personnel

Explanation: PEP stands for Politically Exposed Person. This includes current or former senior officials, their family members, and close associates who may pose higher risks due to their position and potential for corruption.

8What is the primary difference between money laundering and terrorist financing?

A.Money laundering involves small amounts while terrorist financing involves large amounts

B.Money laundering disguises the source of funds while terrorist financing disguises the destination

C.Money laundering is always illegal while terrorist financing may involve legitimate funds

D.There is no difference between the two

Explanation: The key difference is that money laundering attempts to disguise the source of illicit funds, while terrorist financing may involve legitimate funds but seeks to conceal how they will be used to support terrorist activities.

9In the context of virtual assets, what is a "wallet"?

A.A physical device that stores cryptocurrency

B.A software program that stores private and public keys and interacts with blockchain

C.A bank account specifically for crypto trading

D.A regulatory filing for virtual asset holdings

Explanation: A cryptocurrency wallet is a software program that stores private and public keys and interacts with various blockchains to enable users to send, receive, and monitor their digital currency balances.

10What is "placement" in the context of money laundering?

A.Moving funds between different financial institutions

B.Introducing illicit cash into the legitimate financial system

C.Hiding funds in offshore accounts

D.Converting cash into precious metals

Explanation: Placement is the first stage of money laundering where illicit cash proceeds are introduced into the legitimate financial system, often through methods like cash deposits, purchasing monetary instruments, or commingling with legitimate business receipts.

About the CAMS Exam

The CAMS certification is the gold standard in AML compliance, recognized globally by financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement. The exam covers four domains: money laundering risks and methods, compliance standards, AML/CFT programs, and investigations. It's essential for compliance officers, analysts, and professionals in banking, fintech, casinos, and other regulated industries.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

$1,295-$1,695 (ACAMS)

CAMS Exam Content Outline

26%

Risks and Methods of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing

Money laundering stages (placement, layering, integration), terrorist financing, FATF recommendations, trade-based ML, virtual assets, correspondent banking, PEPs, human trafficking, proliferation financing

25%

Compliance Standards for AML and CFT

KYC/CDD/EDD, beneficial ownership, PEP identification, sanctions compliance (OFAC, UN), shell banks, risk-based approach, Wolfsberg Group guidance, EU directives, record retention

28%

AML, CFT and Sanctions Compliance Programs

Five pillars of AML, risk assessment, transaction monitoring, SAR/STR filing, independent audit, three lines of defense, training, board reporting, model validation, look-back reviews

21%

Conducting and Supporting the Investigation Process

Investigation planning, information gathering, documentation, FinCEN 314(a)/314(b), Egmont Group, FIUs, intelligence sharing, freezing/seizure, prosecution support, privacy/data protection

How to Pass the CAMS Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75%
Exam length: 120 questions
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Exam fee: $1,295-$1,695

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CAMS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the three stages of money laundering: placement, layering, and integration — know the techniques used in each

2Know the FATF 40 Recommendations and their key requirements for customer due diligence and beneficial ownership

3Understand the difference between CDD and EDD and when each applies (PEPs, high-risk jurisdictions, complex ownership)

4Study the five pillars of AML: internal controls, BSA officer, training, independent testing, and CDD

5Memorize SAR filing requirements: $5,000+ threshold, 30-day filing deadline, no customer notification (tipping off)

6Learn the key differences between money laundering (hiding source) and terrorist financing (hiding destination)

7Practice with scenario-based questions — many exam questions present cases requiring application of AML principles

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAMS exam pass rate?

ACAMS does not publish official pass rates, but industry estimates suggest approximately 70% of candidates pass on their first attempt. The 75% passing threshold requires approximately 90 correct answers out of 120 questions. Success rates are higher for candidates who complete ACAMS preparatory courses and practice extensively with exam-style questions.

How many questions are on the CAMS exam?

The CAMS exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 3.5 hours (210 minutes). This allows approximately 1.75 minutes per question. The exam includes both knowledge-based questions (definitions, regulations) and scenario-based questions requiring application of AML principles.

Do I need to be an ACAMS member to take the CAMS exam?

Yes, active ACAMS membership is required to take the CAMS exam. Membership costs approximately $295 annually for individuals. The exam fee ($1,295-$1,695) is separate from membership dues. Many employers in financial services reimburse both membership and exam costs.

How long should I study for the CAMS exam?

Most successful candidates study 60-100 hours over 4-8 weeks. ACAMS recommends approximately 6 weeks of preparation. Study time should be distributed across all four domains proportionally. Focus heavily on practice questions and scenario-based exercises, as application questions make up a significant portion of the exam.

What is the hardest part of the CAMS exam?

Many candidates find the Compliance Standards domain (25%) challenging due to the volume of international regulations and guidance (FATF, EU directives, Wolfsberg). The Investigations domain (21%) can also be difficult due to the practical scenarios requiring judgment. The AML Programs domain (28%) requires understanding of controls and monitoring systems.

Is CAMS certification worth it?

CAMS is widely regarded as the gold standard in AML compliance. It is recognized by regulators globally and often required or preferred for senior compliance positions. CAMS-certified professionals typically earn 15-25% more than non-certified peers. The certification demonstrates expertise that is valuable across banking, fintech, gaming, cryptocurrency, and other regulated sectors.