CAMS Exam Prep 2026: 200 Practice
Questions with Detailed Rationales for AML
Certification
EXAM OVERVIEW
The CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
certification, administered by ACAMS, is the global standard for
AML expertise, recognized by institutions, regulators, and the
financial services industry . The CAMS examination consists
of 120 multiple-choice and multiple-selection questions. The
passing score is 75, and candidates have 3.5 hours to complete
the exam .
CAMS Exam Blueprint
The exam covers four domains with the following weightings :
,Domain Weigh
I. Risks and Methods of Money Laundering and Terrorism
26%
Financing
II. Compliance Standards for AML and CFT 25%
III. AML, CFT and Sanctions Compliance Programs 28%
IV. Conducting and Supporting the Investigation Process 21%
Key Terminology
• ACAMS: Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering
Specialists
• AML: Anti-Money Laundering
• CFT: Combating the Financing of Terrorism
• FATF: Financial Action Task Force
• KYC: Know Your Customer
, • CDD: Customer Due Diligence
• EDD: Enhanced Due Diligence
• SAR: Suspicious Activity Report
• CTR: Currency Transaction Report
• PEP: Politically Exposed Person
SECTION 1: RISKS AND METHODS OF MONEY LAUNDERING
AND TERRORISM FINANCING (Domain I - Questions 1-52)
Question 1: A bank account is opened for a new business
customer. The business was established five years ago with
an address in another state. The business website contains
few details other than stating it is a real estate business. One
principal has an international telephone number and appears
to be living in another country. The other principal works out
, of a recreational vehicle. What warrants enhanced due
diligence in this scenario?
A) Shell company
B) Human trafficker
C) Politically exposed person
D) Money laundering through real estate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The scenario describes a business with limited public
presence, principals located in different jurisdictions (one
international, one mobile), and a business type (real estate)
commonly used for money laundering. These factors suggest the
entity may be a shell company—a corporate entity with no
significant assets or operations, often used to obscure beneficial
ownership and facilitate illicit financial flows . Shell companies
are red flags for money laundering risk as they lack
Questions with Detailed Rationales for AML
Certification
EXAM OVERVIEW
The CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
certification, administered by ACAMS, is the global standard for
AML expertise, recognized by institutions, regulators, and the
financial services industry . The CAMS examination consists
of 120 multiple-choice and multiple-selection questions. The
passing score is 75, and candidates have 3.5 hours to complete
the exam .
CAMS Exam Blueprint
The exam covers four domains with the following weightings :
,Domain Weigh
I. Risks and Methods of Money Laundering and Terrorism
26%
Financing
II. Compliance Standards for AML and CFT 25%
III. AML, CFT and Sanctions Compliance Programs 28%
IV. Conducting and Supporting the Investigation Process 21%
Key Terminology
• ACAMS: Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering
Specialists
• AML: Anti-Money Laundering
• CFT: Combating the Financing of Terrorism
• FATF: Financial Action Task Force
• KYC: Know Your Customer
, • CDD: Customer Due Diligence
• EDD: Enhanced Due Diligence
• SAR: Suspicious Activity Report
• CTR: Currency Transaction Report
• PEP: Politically Exposed Person
SECTION 1: RISKS AND METHODS OF MONEY LAUNDERING
AND TERRORISM FINANCING (Domain I - Questions 1-52)
Question 1: A bank account is opened for a new business
customer. The business was established five years ago with
an address in another state. The business website contains
few details other than stating it is a real estate business. One
principal has an international telephone number and appears
to be living in another country. The other principal works out
, of a recreational vehicle. What warrants enhanced due
diligence in this scenario?
A) Shell company
B) Human trafficker
C) Politically exposed person
D) Money laundering through real estate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The scenario describes a business with limited public
presence, principals located in different jurisdictions (one
international, one mobile), and a business type (real estate)
commonly used for money laundering. These factors suggest the
entity may be a shell company—a corporate entity with no
significant assets or operations, often used to obscure beneficial
ownership and facilitate illicit financial flows . Shell companies
are red flags for money laundering risk as they lack
