NYC Associate Fraud Investigator Exam Study
Guide: DCAS Civil Service Practice Questions
and Verified Answers
SECTION 1 – EXAM STRUCTURE & CORE CONCEPTS
Question 1
The primary purpose of a fraud investigation is to:
A) Punish all individuals suspected of wrongdoing
B) determine facts through systematic examination of evidence
C) Eliminate all financial risks immediately
D) Replace internal management controls
Answer: B) Determine facts through systematic examination of evidence
Rationale: A fraud investigation focuses on gathering and analyzing facts to establish
what occurred and who may be responsible. Punishment is a judicial or administrative
outcome, not the purpose of the investigation itself .
Question 2
The NYC Associate Fraud Investigator exam tests knowledge and abilities in which of the
following core domains?
,A) Fraud detection in benefits, procurement, payroll, and timekeeping
B) Investigative techniques, evidence preservation, and report writing
C) NYC rules and conflict of interest laws
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The exam tests detecting and investigating fraud in benefits (SNAP, Medicaid,
housing), procurement, payroll, and timekeeping; NYC rules and conflict of interest laws;
investigative techniques (surveillance, interviews, data mining); evidence preservation;
report writing; and testifying at administrative hearings .
Question 3
Which action should an investigator take first when receiving an allegation of fraud?
A) Immediately confront the accused
B) Conduct a preliminary inquiry to verify the allegation
C) Notify the media
D) Arrest the suspect
Answer: B) Conduct a preliminary inquiry to verify the allegation
Rationale: The proper initial step is a preliminary inquiry to verify the details and reliability
of the allegation before proceeding with a full investigation. Anonymous tips alone rarely
establish probable cause .
Question 4
Which characteristic is most important for an investigator?
A) Personal loyalty to a department
B) Impartial judgment
C) Quick assumptions
D) Avoiding documentation
,Answer: B) Impartial judgment
Rationale: Fair investigations require objective evaluation of evidence without personal
bias. Investigators must base conclusions on evidence rather than assumptions .
Question 5
What is the passing score required for the Associate Fraud Investigator exam?
A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 80%
Answer: C) 70%
Rationale: A score of at least 70% is required to pass this test. Your score on the multiple-
choice test will determine 85% of your final score; seniority determines the remaining
15% .
Question 6
How is the final score for the Associate Fraud Investigator exam calculated?
A) 100% based on the multiple-choice test
B) 85% test score, 15% seniority credit
C) 70% test score, 30% interview
D) 50% test score, 50% supervisor evaluation
Answer: B) 85% test score, 15% seniority credit
Rationale: Your score on the multiple-choice test determines 85% of your final score.
Seniority determines the remaining 15%, calculated as 70 plus 1/2 point for each three
months of completed, permanent, continuous service, up to a maximum of 15 years .
, Question 7
What is the best description of investigative neutrality?
A) Supporting the accused person
B) Supporting the reporting person
C) Following facts without personal bias
D) Avoiding all conclusions
Answer: C) Following facts without personal bias
Rationale: Investigators must remain neutral and base conclusions on evidence rather
than favoring either side .
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a core domain tested on the exam?
A) Evidence collection, preservation, and documentation
B) Financial crimes and fraud schemes
C) Medical diagnosis and treatment
D) Legal compliance and administrative procedures
Answer: C) Medical diagnosis and treatment
Rationale: The exam covers fraud detection, investigative methods, evidence handling,
interviewing, legal awareness, and ethical decision-making—not medical topics .
Question 9
According to the NYC civil service system, how long does an eligible list typically remain
active?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 4 years
Guide: DCAS Civil Service Practice Questions
and Verified Answers
SECTION 1 – EXAM STRUCTURE & CORE CONCEPTS
Question 1
The primary purpose of a fraud investigation is to:
A) Punish all individuals suspected of wrongdoing
B) determine facts through systematic examination of evidence
C) Eliminate all financial risks immediately
D) Replace internal management controls
Answer: B) Determine facts through systematic examination of evidence
Rationale: A fraud investigation focuses on gathering and analyzing facts to establish
what occurred and who may be responsible. Punishment is a judicial or administrative
outcome, not the purpose of the investigation itself .
Question 2
The NYC Associate Fraud Investigator exam tests knowledge and abilities in which of the
following core domains?
,A) Fraud detection in benefits, procurement, payroll, and timekeeping
B) Investigative techniques, evidence preservation, and report writing
C) NYC rules and conflict of interest laws
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The exam tests detecting and investigating fraud in benefits (SNAP, Medicaid,
housing), procurement, payroll, and timekeeping; NYC rules and conflict of interest laws;
investigative techniques (surveillance, interviews, data mining); evidence preservation;
report writing; and testifying at administrative hearings .
Question 3
Which action should an investigator take first when receiving an allegation of fraud?
A) Immediately confront the accused
B) Conduct a preliminary inquiry to verify the allegation
C) Notify the media
D) Arrest the suspect
Answer: B) Conduct a preliminary inquiry to verify the allegation
Rationale: The proper initial step is a preliminary inquiry to verify the details and reliability
of the allegation before proceeding with a full investigation. Anonymous tips alone rarely
establish probable cause .
Question 4
Which characteristic is most important for an investigator?
A) Personal loyalty to a department
B) Impartial judgment
C) Quick assumptions
D) Avoiding documentation
,Answer: B) Impartial judgment
Rationale: Fair investigations require objective evaluation of evidence without personal
bias. Investigators must base conclusions on evidence rather than assumptions .
Question 5
What is the passing score required for the Associate Fraud Investigator exam?
A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 80%
Answer: C) 70%
Rationale: A score of at least 70% is required to pass this test. Your score on the multiple-
choice test will determine 85% of your final score; seniority determines the remaining
15% .
Question 6
How is the final score for the Associate Fraud Investigator exam calculated?
A) 100% based on the multiple-choice test
B) 85% test score, 15% seniority credit
C) 70% test score, 30% interview
D) 50% test score, 50% supervisor evaluation
Answer: B) 85% test score, 15% seniority credit
Rationale: Your score on the multiple-choice test determines 85% of your final score.
Seniority determines the remaining 15%, calculated as 70 plus 1/2 point for each three
months of completed, permanent, continuous service, up to a maximum of 15 years .
, Question 7
What is the best description of investigative neutrality?
A) Supporting the accused person
B) Supporting the reporting person
C) Following facts without personal bias
D) Avoiding all conclusions
Answer: C) Following facts without personal bias
Rationale: Investigators must remain neutral and base conclusions on evidence rather
than favoring either side .
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a core domain tested on the exam?
A) Evidence collection, preservation, and documentation
B) Financial crimes and fraud schemes
C) Medical diagnosis and treatment
D) Legal compliance and administrative procedures
Answer: C) Medical diagnosis and treatment
Rationale: The exam covers fraud detection, investigative methods, evidence handling,
interviewing, legal awareness, and ethical decision-making—not medical topics .
Question 9
According to the NYC civil service system, how long does an eligible list typically remain
active?
A) 6 months
B) 1 year
C) 2 years
D) 4 years
