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200+ Free NYPD Sergeant Practice Questions

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Solve for y: 2y − 8 = 14

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6

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3

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11

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22

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NYPD Sergeant Exam

70.000

Minimum Passing Score

DCAS Notice of Examination 2538

$96.00

Application Fee

DCAS Notice of Examination 2538

3 years

Police Officer Service to Apply

DCAS Notice of Examination 2538

64 credits

College Credits to Be Promoted

DCAS Notice of Examination 2538

4 years

Typical Eligible List Duration

DCAS Notice of Examination 2538

12 months

Probationary Period After Promotion

DCAS Notice of Examination 2538

The NYPD Promotion to Sergeant (Police) exam is a DCAS computer-based, multiple-choice promotional test requiring at least 70.000 to pass. It covers NYS Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, the NYPD Patrol Guide and Administrative Guide, the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and first-line supervisory judgment. The $96.00 fee applies, and the resulting eligible list typically remains active for four years.

Sample NYPD Sergeant Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NYPD Sergeant 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, a person commits robbery rather than larceny when the property is taken in what manner?

A.By forcibly stealing, using or threatening the immediate use of physical force

B.By taking property worth more than $1,000 by stealth

C.By entering a dwelling unlawfully with intent to commit a crime

D.By withholding property obtained through a false promise

Explanation: Penal Law Article 160 defines robbery as forcible stealing: a person forcibly steals property and commits larceny when, in the course of the taking, he or she uses or threatens the immediate use of physical force. The force element is what elevates a larceny to a robbery.

2A sergeant reviews an arrest where property valued at $4,500 was stolen by stealth with no force used. Under New York Penal Law, what is the most appropriate larceny charge?

A.Grand larceny in the third degree

B.Petit larceny

C.Grand larceny in the fourth degree

D.Grand larceny in the second degree

Explanation: Grand larceny in the third degree (Penal Law 155.35) applies when the value of stolen property exceeds $3,000. A $4,500 theft falls in this range, making it a Class D felony. The sergeant should ensure the charge matches the verified value of the property.

3Under New York Penal Law, what is the value threshold above which a theft becomes petit larceny rather than no larceny offense, and at what value does grand larceny in the fourth degree begin?

A.Petit larceny covers value up to $1,000; grand larceny fourth degree begins above $1,000

B.Petit larceny covers value up to $250; grand larceny fourth degree begins above $250

C.Petit larceny covers value up to $3,000; grand larceny fourth degree begins above $3,000

D.Petit larceny covers value up to $500; grand larceny fourth degree begins above $500

Explanation: Petit larceny (155.25) is a Class A misdemeanor that covers theft of property valued at $1,000 or less. Grand larceny in the fourth degree (155.30) begins when the value exceeds $1,000 (and certain other listed property types). Knowing these thresholds helps a supervisor verify charging accuracy.

4Under New York Penal Law Article 140, what element distinguishes burglary from criminal trespass?

A.Burglary requires unlawful entry or remaining in a building with intent to commit a crime inside

B.Burglary requires that the property be a dwelling rather than a commercial building

C.Burglary requires that force be used against a person during the entry

D.Burglary requires that property valued over $1,000 actually be stolen

Explanation: Burglary requires knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime therein. Criminal trespass involves the unlawful entry or presence without the additional intent to commit a crime inside. The criminal intent at the time of entry is the key distinguishing element.

5A police officer makes a warrantless arrest of a person the officer reasonably believes just committed a felony, even though the officer did not personally witness it. Under New York Criminal Procedure Law 140.10, is this arrest authorized?

A.Yes, an officer may arrest for any offense believed committed on reasonable cause, and need not have witnessed a crime or felony

B.No, an officer may only arrest for crimes committed in the officer's actual presence

C.No, a felony arrest always requires a warrant signed by a judge

D.Yes, but only if the suspect confesses to the felony first

Explanation: CPL 140.10 authorizes a police officer to arrest without a warrant when the officer has reasonable cause to believe a person has committed a crime, whether or not the crime occurred in the officer's presence. For petty offenses and violations, the in-presence requirement applies, but for crimes (misdemeanors and felonies) it does not.

6Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 1192, a driver age 21 or older registers a BAC of 0.08% on a valid chemical test. Which charge is established per se?

A.Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) under VTL 1192(2)

B.Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) under VTL 1192(1)

C.Aggravated DWI under VTL 1192(2-a)

D.No alcohol charge applies until 0.10%

Explanation: VTL 1192(2) establishes DWI per se when a driver operates a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or more by weight of alcohol. A first DWI offense is a misdemeanor. The per se standard means the BAC reading alone supports the charge.

7A sergeant supervises a DWI arrest in which the driver's BAC is 0.19%. Under New York VTL 1192, which enhanced charge is appropriate?

A.Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (per se)

B.Driving While Ability Impaired by alcohol

C.Zero Tolerance violation

D.Driving While Ability Impaired by a single drug

Explanation: Aggravated DWI per se under VTL 1192(2-a)(a) applies when a driver's BAC is 0.18% or higher. At 0.19%, the aggravated charge is appropriate. A sergeant should ensure the more serious charge is selected when the BAC supports it.

8Under New York's Zero Tolerance Law (VTL 1192-a), a driver who is less than 21 years old violates the law when operating a motor vehicle within what BAC range?

A..02% to .07% BAC

B..08% or higher BAC only

C.Any detectable alcohol regardless of BAC

D..05% to .10% BAC

Explanation: The Zero Tolerance Law applies to drivers under 21 who operate with a BAC of .02% up to .07%. It is a civil administrative violation handled by DMV rather than a criminal DWI, though higher readings can trigger criminal charges. Supervisors should ensure the correct process is followed for underage drivers.

9Under CPL 140.10, when a police officer responds to a domestic dispute and has reasonable cause to believe a felony was committed against a family or household member, what action is required?

A.The officer must make an arrest of the person believed to have committed the felony

B.The officer must obtain the victim's written consent before any arrest

C.The officer may only mediate and may not arrest without a warrant

D.The officer must wait 24 hours to allow the parties to reconcile

Explanation: CPL 140.10(4) makes arrest mandatory when an officer has reasonable cause to believe a felony has been committed against a member of the same family or household. Arrest is also required for violations of an order of protection. The officer may not simply mediate or attempt reconciliation in such cases.

10As a first-line supervisor, a sergeant's most fundamental responsibility regarding subordinate officers is best described as which of the following?

A.Supervising, instructing, and being accountable for subordinates' conduct, performance, and discipline

B.Personally making every arrest within the command

C.Setting departmental policy and citywide regulations

D.Conducting internal affairs prosecutions of other commands

Explanation: The DCAS Notice of Examination describes the sergeant's core role as supervising subordinates: instructing and counseling them, ensuring punctuality, attendance, productivity, good order and discipline, and being accountable for their performance. First-line supervision and accountability define the rank.

About the NYPD Sergeant Exam

The Promotion to Sergeant (Police) Examination is the DCAS multiple-choice promotional test that NYPD Police Officers must pass to advance to the rank of first-line supervisor. The exam assesses technical knowledge and supervisory abilities important to a Sergeant (Police), drawing on the New York State Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, the NYPD Patrol Guide and Administrative Guide, the Vehicle and Traffic Law, department procedures, and applied procedural judgment. A score of at least 70.000 is required to pass, and seniority and departmental-award points are added to the scores of passing candidates to set final list ranking. The exam, identified in recent cycles as Exam No. 2538, is open to Police Officers with three years of service, and the resulting eligible list typically remains active for four years.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 3.5 hours

Passing Score

70.000

Exam Fee

$96.00 application fee (NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Bureau of Examinations, on behalf of the NYPD)

NYPD Sergeant Exam Content Outline

~35%

NYPD Patrol Guide & Field Procedures

Patrol supervision, desk officer and roll call duties, use of force, stop-question-frisk, EDP, pursuits, crime scenes, evidence and property, and response and special patrol operations

~25%

NYS Penal Law & Criminal Procedure Law

Larceny, robbery, burglary, assault, weapons, stolen property, mental states, justification, arrest authority under CPL 140.10, and mandatory domestic-violence arrests

~20%

Administrative Guide & Personnel/Disciplinary Matters

Leave, off-duty employment, EEO, command discipline, integrity and misconduct reporting, fitness for duty, evaluations, and media procedures

~15%

Supervisory Abilities & Judgment

Scenario judgment using the DCAS ability definitions: delegation, planning, management control, decisiveness, analysis, sensitivity, and behavioral flexibility

~5%

Vehicle & Traffic Law & Report Writing

DWI/DWAI thresholds (VTL 1192), chemical testing (VTL 1194), leaving the scene (VTL 600), plus written communication, grammar, and information ordering

How to Pass the NYPD Sergeant Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70.000
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Approximately 3.5 hours
Exam fee: $96.00 application fee

Keys to Passing

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

NYPD Sergeant Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start from the DCAS Notice of Examination scope of test and turn each listed source and task area into a study checklist.

2Memorize the Penal Law larceny thresholds ($1,000, $3,000, $50,000, $1,000,000) and the degrees of robbery and burglary cold.

3Drill the graduated investigative-encounter levels and stop-question-frisk standards so you can apply the correct level to facts.

4Learn the supervisory ability definitions (delegation, judgment, management control, decisiveness) and practice matching them to scenarios.

5Master procedure sequences, since many questions hinge on the correct order of steps in an incident or arrest.

6Practice the VTL 1192 BAC thresholds (DWAI .05-.07, DWI .08, Aggravated DWI .18) and CPL 140.10 mandatory-arrest rules.

7Use full timed practice exams to build pacing for roughly 100 items, then review every missed item back to its source material.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NYPD Promotion to Sergeant exam?

It is the DCAS multiple-choice promotional examination that NYPD Police Officers must pass to be promoted to Sergeant. Recent cycles were administered as Exam No. 2538. It assesses technical knowledge and supervisory abilities important to a first-line police supervisor.

Who administers the exam and who is eligible?

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) administers it for the NYPD. It is open to Police Officers who hold a permanent competitive appointment and have served three years in the title by the first test date.

How much does the exam cost?

The application fee is $96.00. A 2.00% nonrefundable service fee applies to credit, debit, or gift card payments, and fee waivers are available for qualifying applicants such as certain public-assistance recipients and veterans.

What score do I need to pass?

Candidates must achieve at least a 70.000 on the multiple-choice test to pass. Points for seniority and, if applicable, departmental awards and Veterans' Preference are then added to passing candidates' scores to determine final list ranking.

What subjects does the exam cover?

The DCAS scope of test draws on the NYS Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, the NYPD Patrol Guide, the Administrative Guide, the Vehicle and Traffic Law, department procedures and guidelines, and supervisory abilities such as delegation, judgment, and management control.

How long is the eligible list good for?

Once established, the eligible list typically remains active for four years. Candidates are considered for promotion in final score order as their list numbers are reached, subject to meeting all requirements including the education requirement.

What are the requirements to actually be promoted?

To be promoted, you must have five years of permanent police service, complete at least 64 college semester credits, hold a valid NY driver license, pass a one-time drug test, and complete department investigation, followed by a 12-month probationary period.

Is the exam offered remotely?

No. The multiple-choice test is given in person, typically at a computer terminal, at a DCAS-assigned test site. Candidates receive an Admission Notice and must bring valid signature and photo identification.