Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed Explanations | New
York City Civil Service Study Guide | Just Released This Year
PDF | Updated This Year
Question 1. According to the NYC DCAS Notice of Examination, what is the minimum
passing score required on the multiple-choice test for the Associate Fraud Investigator
position?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The official Notice of Examination for the Associate Fraud Investigator
position explicitly states that to pass the multiple-choice test, candidates must achieve a
minimum score of 70% . This is a critical benchmark for the exam.
Question 2. What percentage of the final score for the Associate Fraud Investigator
exam is determined by the multiple-choice test?
A. 50%
B. 70%
C. 85%
D. 100%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to the DCAS Notice of Examination, your score on the multiple-
choice test will determine 85% of your final score. Your seniority will determine the
remaining 15% . You must pass the multiple-choice test to have your seniority credited.
,Question 3. For the Associate Fraud Investigator exam, how is seniority credit
calculated?
A. 1 point for each full year of service
B. 70 plus 1/2 point for each three months of completed service
C. 50 plus 1 point for each six months of service
D. Seniority does not affect the score
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Notice of Examination specifies that your seniority score will be 70 plus
1/2 point for each three months of completed, permanent, continuous service with an
agency under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Department of Citywide
Administrative Services . The maximum credit is for 15 years of service.
Question 4. In the NYC civil service system, how many ungraded research questions
may be included in a civil service examination?
A. None; all questions must be graded
B. Up to 10% of the total questions
C. An unspecified number, as determined by DCAS
D. Exactly 20 ungraded questions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In Matter of Social Servs. Empls. Union Local 371 v City of New York (2019),
the court upheld DCAS's inclusion of 20 ungraded research questions in an Associate
Fraud Investigator examination . DCAS is afforded considerable discretion in preparing
and administering civil service examinations, and research questions allow for pre-
testing and ensuring validity across different groups of test-takers .
Question 5. According to the Notice of Examination, which of the following abilities is
specifically identified as being tested on the Associate Fraud Investigator exam?
A. Basic mathematics
B. Analytical Thinking
,C. Foreign language proficiency
D. Physical fitness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Notice of Examination lists "Analytical Thinking" as one of the key
abilities that may be tested. It describes this as "Analyzing information and using logic
to address specific work-related issues and problems" . This involves identifying
problems, not implementation of solutions.
Question 6. What does the ability "Quantitative Analysis & Interpretation" involve for an
Associate Fraud Investigator?
A. Analyzing statistical reports for inconsistencies and errors
B. Writing detailed case summaries
C. Conducting physical surveillance
D. Interviewing witnesses
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Notice of Examination defines Quantitative Analysis & Interpretation as
"Analyzing, interpreting and understanding the underlying principles and meaning of
numerical data; recognizing inconsistencies and errors in reports containing numerical
data" . An Associate Fraud Investigator may use this ability when analyzing statistical
reports.
Question 7. What is the primary purpose of "Judgment & Decision-Making" as an
ability for the Associate Fraud Investigator exam?
A. To review information and choose the most appropriate solution
B. To memorize legal codes
C. To conduct physical surveillance
D. To manage a team
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: The Notice of Examination defines Judgment & Decision-Making as
"Reviewing information to develop and evaluate the relative costs and benefits of
potential solutions to problems and choosing the most appropriate one" . This skill is
used when making recommendations on employee-related actions.
Question 8. What does the ability "Management of Personnel Resources" involve for an
Associate Fraud Investigator?
A. Managing financial records
B. Motivating, developing, and directing people
C. Analyzing crime statistics
D. Writing investigative reports
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Notice of Examination defines Management of Personnel Resources as
"Motivating, developing and directing people as they work, identifying the best people
for the job; managing employees needed to accomplish tasks" . An Associate Fraud
Investigator uses this ability when assigning cases to an investigator.
Question 9. According to the DCAS Notice of Examination, what topic areas may be
covered on the multiple-choice test? (Select all that apply)
A. Standards of proper employee ethical conduct
B. Principles and techniques of investigation/inspections
C. Equal Employment Opportunity laws
D. Preparation and processing of written materials
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The Notice of Examination lists all of these topics as potential content areas
for the multiple-choice test . Topics also include assistance programs, annual
performance appraisals, planning, organizing, and monitoring work, and use of software.