200+ Free NYPD Lieutenant Practice Questions
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Key Facts: NYPD Lieutenant Exam
70%
Minimum Passing Score
DCAS Notice of Examination (Exam No. 3528)
50% / 50%
Test vs. Seniority & Awards in Final Score
DCAS Notice of Examination
$101.00
Application Fee (most recent cycle)
DCAS Notice of Examination (Exam No. 3528)
96 credits
College Credits Required Before Promotion
DCAS Notice of Examination
2 years
Permanent Sergeant Service to Be Promoted
DCAS Notice of Examination
4 years
Typical Eligible List Duration
NYC DCAS Civil Service System
The Promotion to Lieutenant (Police) Examination is the DCAS computer-based multiple-choice test for permanent NYPD Sergeants. Candidates must score at least 70% to pass. The most recent cycle (Exam No. 3528) carried a $101.00 application fee. The multiple-choice score counts for 50% of the final score, and seniority plus departmental awards count for the other 50%. To be promoted, a Sergeant needs at least two years of permanent service and 96 college credits. The resulting eligible list typically lasts four years.
Sample NYPD Lieutenant Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your NYPD Lieutenant exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under New York Penal Law § 35.30, a police officer may use deadly physical force to effect an arrest only when the officer reasonably believes the offense involved certain serious crimes OR that deadly force is necessary to:
2Under CPL § 140.10, a police officer may arrest a person without a warrant for a CRIME when the officer has reasonable cause to believe the person committed it. For an OFFENSE that is not a crime (such as a violation), the officer generally may make the warrantless arrest only when:
3A lieutenant reviews an arrest where the officer used physical force to overcome a suspect's active resistance. Under the NYPD Patrol Guide use-of-force framework, the central legal standard the lieutenant must confirm the officer applied is that the force used was:
4An officer at a precinct desk asks the lieutenant whether a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) may be issued. A DAT is generally appropriate when:
5As Platoon Commander conducting roll call, a lieutenant's PRIMARY purpose in accounting for personnel and inspecting members of service is to:
6A lieutenant assigning personnel to posts at the beginning of a tour should base post assignments primarily on:
7A lieutenant learns that a sergeant under their supervision may have failed to properly safeguard recovered narcotics evidence. The lieutenant's FIRST responsibility is to:
8Under Vehicle and Traffic Law, the prohibited blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for the per se offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) for a standard, non-commercial driver in New York is:
9A complaint of corruption is made against an officer in the lieutenant's command. Consistent with the Department's integrity obligations, the lieutenant must:
10A precinct reported the following index crimes this week: 4 robberies, 6 burglaries, 10 grand larcenies, and 5 grand larceny autos. Compared with last week's 4, 4, 8, and 4 respectively, the TOTAL week-over-week change in these four categories is an increase of:
About the NYPD Lieutenant Exam
The Promotion to Lieutenant (Police) Examination is a computer-based multiple-choice promotional test administered by NYC DCAS for permanent Sergeants (Police) in the NYPD. It assesses working knowledge of New York State Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, the NYC Administrative Code, the NYPD Patrol Guide and Administrative Guide, Operations and Interim Orders, Vehicle & Traffic Law, and supervisory abilities such as judgment, planning, and personnel management. A candidate must score at least 70% to pass; the multiple-choice score determines 50% of the final score, while seniority and departmental awards (and Veterans' Preference Credit, if applicable) determine the remaining 50%. Eligible candidates must have served at least two years as a permanent Sergeant (Police) and attained 96 college credits before promotion. Once established, the eligible list typically remains active for four years.
Assessment
Question count not published by the exam provider
Time Limit
Set per Notice of Examination (single computer-based session)
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$101.00 (most recent Notice of Examination, Exam No. 3528) (NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Bureau of Examinations, at DCAS Computer-based Testing & Applications Centers)
NYPD Lieutenant Exam Content Outline
Patrol Guide & Patrol Supervision
Desk Officer and patrol duties, roll call, stop-question-frisk, body-worn camera and racial-profiling rules, property and evidence handling, prisoner detention, dispatch priorities, and summons procedures
Response Situations & Special Patrol Operations
Crime scenes, EDP, domestic violence, demonstrations, firearms discharge, active shooter, barricade/hostage, bomb threats, HazMat, power outages, mobilizations, and command posts
NY Penal Law & Criminal Procedure Law
Justification and use of force (Article 35), arrest authority (CPL Article 140), offense classifications, statutory definitions, Miranda, investigative-encounter levels, and juvenile procedures
Supervision & Management Abilities
Judgment and decision-making, analytical thinking, planning and organizing, management of personnel and material resources, coaching, conflict resolution, and stress tolerance
Disciplinary Matters & Integrity
Command Discipline, corruption and bribery reporting, the Integrity Control Officer role, gratuities, fitness for duty, lost or stolen firearm/shield, and uniform standards
Administrative Code, Administrative Guide & Personnel Matters
NYC Charter and Administrative Code framework, Interim/Operations Orders, leave, off-duty employment, line-of-duty injury, EEO, court appearances, and media relations
Quantitative Analysis & Interpretation
Interpreting crime and personnel data, computing totals, averages, percentage change, and staffing math to detect patterns and allocate resources
How to Pass the NYPD Lieutenant Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
- Time limit: Set per Notice of Examination (single computer-based session)
- Exam fee: $101.00 (most recent Notice of Examination, Exam No. 3528)
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 200 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NYPD Lieutenant Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Promotion to Lieutenant (Police) Examination?
It is a computer-based multiple-choice promotional exam administered by NYC DCAS for permanent NYPD Sergeants (Police) seeking promotion to Lieutenant. It tests Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, the Patrol Guide and Administrative Guide, Operations and Interim Orders, Vehicle & Traffic Law, and supervisory abilities.
Who administers and who can take the exam?
The exam is administered by the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). It is open to employees who hold a permanent competitive appointment as Sergeant (Police), or appear on a Preferred List for that title, on the first multiple-choice test date.
How much does the exam cost?
The most recent Notice of Examination (Exam No. 3528) set a $101.00 application fee, with a 2.00% nonrefundable service fee for credit/debit/gift-card payments. Eligible veterans and recipients of certain public assistance may qualify for a fee waiver.
What score do I need to pass, and how is the final score calculated?
You must score at least 70% to pass the multiple-choice test. Your test score determines 50% of your final score; seniority and departmental awards (and Veterans' Preference Credit, if applicable) determine the remaining 50% and set your place on the eligible list.
What subjects are on the exam?
Task areas include assigning personnel, monitoring and training subordinates, directing arrests and detention, integrity, safeguarding evidence and property, community cooperation, notifications, written reports, and program planning. Source materials include the Penal Law, CPL, Administrative Code, Family Court Act, Patrol Guide, Administrative Guide, Operations and Interim Orders, and Vehicle & Traffic Law.
What are the requirements to actually be promoted?
To be promoted you must have served permanently as Sergeant (Police) for at least two years, completed Sergeant probation, attained 96 college semester credits, hold a valid New York State driver license, and pass a one-time drug test. Promotion is then made when your name is reached on the eligible list.
How long does the eligible list last, and can I retake the exam?
Once established, an eligible list typically remains active for four years (up to five in an emergency). There is no on-demand retake; candidates apply again when DCAS opens the next Lieutenant (Police) promotion exam, generally about every four years.
Is the exam offered remotely?
No. The exam is a proctored, computer-based test given at DCAS Computer-based Testing & Applications Centers. Candidates must bring valid signature and photo identification, and electronic devices are prohibited in the testing area.