New York State Police (NYSP) Exam Prep: Become Part of the Elite Few in 2024

The New York State Trooper exam is challenging, testing cognitive abilities and personality traits. It consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, completed in two hours. Candidates have 1 hour and 40 minutes for cognitive skills like reasoning and problem-solving, and 20 minutes for personality traits. With about 90 seconds per question, time management and accuracy are crucial.

No. Your score on the NYSP exam depends on the number of items you answer correctly. However, no additional points are deducted for incorrect answers.

To pass the New York State Trooper exam, you need at least 70 on both the cognitive and personality sections. Scores are percentile-based, comparing your performance to others, with higher scores improving your ranking in the selection process.

Candidates would have to pass 5 evaluations in total to be eligible to become a trooper. These are:

• The NYSP Trooper Written Exam
• The Physical Ability Test (PAT)
• Psychological Evaluation
• Background Investigation and Polygraph Test
• Medical Examination

Candidates who don’t pass the New York State Trooper exam can reapply for future exams without a limit on attempts, but must wait for the next testing period. While failing doesn’t disqualify them from future opportunities, only those who pass are placed on the eligibility list and move on to further stages like physical ability tests and background checks.

Candidates can be disqualified from the New York State Police selection process for reasons such as felony convictions, certain misdemeanors, failure to meet the 60 college credit requirement, recent illegal drug use, or dishonesty during the application. Failing the polygraph, medical exam, or psychological evaluation can also result in disqualification.

Additionally, violations of testing rules or non-compliance with the NYSP Tattoo Policy may lead to removal from the process or a ban from future exams for up to five years.

To boost your memory for the New York State Police exam, try breaking information into smaller chunks to make it easier to remember. Using visualization, like creating mental images of concepts or scenarios, can help too—studies show it can improve recall by up to 20%. Regular review is crucial, especially spaced repetition, where you go over material at intervals to lock it in long-term. You can also use mnemonics like acronyms or rhymes, and practice with simulations or role-playing exercises to make the information stick better for the exam.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 20 years old and not older than 34 years old at the time of application. The maximum age limit can be extended by up to 7 years, with one additional year for each year of full-time active military duty.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Candidates need 60 college credits by academy appointment, but those with qualifying military service or police training may qualify with 30 credits.
• Must successfully complete a Physical Ability Test (PAT), including sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run.
• Hold a valid driver’s license.
• Have no felony convictions.
• Have no dishonorable discharge from any military service.

There is a $20 application fee when submitting the online application, and a $44 fee payable to Pearson VUE when scheduling the examination.

Being on the eligibility list does not guarantee a position. It only means you are eligible to continue in the selection process. You still need to pass all other stages, such as the Physical Ability Test, background investigation, and medical exams, to be hired as a State Trooper.

The NYSP entrance exam scores remain valid for four years from the date the eligibility list is created. During this period, candidates can be considered for appointment based on their exam results.

To effectively prepare for the NY State Trooper Exam, focus on improving cognitive skills, practicing under timed conditions, and using targeted practice tests that mirror the actual exam, including the psychological evaluation. Studies show that candidates who use these methods can boost their performance by 50-70%.

Our prep course is designed to cover these areas, offering practice questions that simulate the real exam, including reasoning, comprehension, memory sections, and psych evaluations. This will help you become familiar with the format, manage time effectively, and increase your confidence and accuracy on the day of the exam.