ACAMS CERTIFICATION V6.32 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Understanding Risks and Methods of Financial Crime
Global AFC Frameworks, Governance, and Regulations
Building an AFC Compliance Program
Tools and Technologies to Fight Financial Crime
Sanctions Compliance and Screening
Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence
Transaction Monitoring and Suspicious Activity Reporting
Risk Assessment and the Risk-Based Approach
Investigations, Case Management, and Reporting
Ethics, Professional Standards, and Regulatory Compliance
INTRODUCTION
The ACAMS Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
assessment evaluates the advanced knowledge and practical
judgment required for effective anti-financial crime compliance. It
assesses understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing
methods, international AML/CFT standards, compliance program
design, customer due diligence, sanctions screening, transaction
monitoring, and investigative techniques. Items include multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions requiring critical thinking and
,real-world application. The examination emphasizes the risk-based
approach, FATF Recommendations, and regulatory expectations
essential for AML professionals. This assessment prepares
candidates for CAMS certification and career advancement in
financial crime prevention.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which stage of money laundering involves the physical disposal
of cash derived from criminal activity into the financial system?
A. Layering
B. Integration
C. Placement
D. Structuring
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Placement is the first stage of money laundering,
where illicit cash first enters the financial system through deposits,
currency exchanges, or purchases. It is considered the highest-risk
stage for the launderer because cash is most visible to controls at
this point.
Question 2
A compliance officer notices a customer making multiple cash
deposits of $9,500 at different branches on consecutive days.
Which typology does this activity most likely represent?
A. Smurfing
B. Structuring
C. Trade-based money laundering
D. Shell company layering
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Structuring involves deliberately breaking up
large cash transactions into smaller amounts below reporting
thresholds to avoid triggering Currency Transaction Report (CTR)
requirements. The $9,500 amount is just below the $10,000
threshold.
Question 3
Which of the following is a predicate offense for money
laundering under most international frameworks?
A. Tax evasion
B. Fraud
C. Drug trafficking
D. All of the above
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: Predicate offenses are crimes that generate illicit
proceeds. Drug trafficking, fraud, and tax evasion are all
recognized as predicate offenses under the FATF
Recommendations and most national AML regimes.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of terrorist financing?
A. To generate profit for the financier
B. To fund terrorist activities regardless of source legitimacy
C. To launder money through legitimate businesses
D. To avoid detection by financial institutions
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Terrorist financing is distinct from money
laundering in that its primary purpose is to fund terrorist activities,
not necessarily to generate profit. Funds may originate from
legitimate sources, including charitable donations and self-
funding.
Question 5
Which of the following best describes trade-based money
laundering?
A. Using cash deposits to move illicit funds
B. Exploiting trade transactions to transfer value across borders
C. Using cryptocurrency to obscure transactions
D. Structuring deposits below reporting thresholds
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Trade-based money laundering involves the
manipulation of trade transactions—such as over-invoicing,
under-invoicing, or misrepresenting goods—to transfer value
across borders and obscure the origin of illicit funds.
Question 6
What are the three stages of money laundering in correct order?
A. Layering, Placement, Integration
B. Placement, Layering, Integration
C. Integration, Layering, Placement
D. Structuring, Layering, Integration
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The three stages of money laundering are
Placement (introduction of illicit funds into the financial system),
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Understanding Risks and Methods of Financial Crime
Global AFC Frameworks, Governance, and Regulations
Building an AFC Compliance Program
Tools and Technologies to Fight Financial Crime
Sanctions Compliance and Screening
Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence
Transaction Monitoring and Suspicious Activity Reporting
Risk Assessment and the Risk-Based Approach
Investigations, Case Management, and Reporting
Ethics, Professional Standards, and Regulatory Compliance
INTRODUCTION
The ACAMS Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
assessment evaluates the advanced knowledge and practical
judgment required for effective anti-financial crime compliance. It
assesses understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing
methods, international AML/CFT standards, compliance program
design, customer due diligence, sanctions screening, transaction
monitoring, and investigative techniques. Items include multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions requiring critical thinking and
,real-world application. The examination emphasizes the risk-based
approach, FATF Recommendations, and regulatory expectations
essential for AML professionals. This assessment prepares
candidates for CAMS certification and career advancement in
financial crime prevention.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which stage of money laundering involves the physical disposal
of cash derived from criminal activity into the financial system?
A. Layering
B. Integration
C. Placement
D. Structuring
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Placement is the first stage of money laundering,
where illicit cash first enters the financial system through deposits,
currency exchanges, or purchases. It is considered the highest-risk
stage for the launderer because cash is most visible to controls at
this point.
Question 2
A compliance officer notices a customer making multiple cash
deposits of $9,500 at different branches on consecutive days.
Which typology does this activity most likely represent?
A. Smurfing
B. Structuring
C. Trade-based money laundering
D. Shell company layering
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Structuring involves deliberately breaking up
large cash transactions into smaller amounts below reporting
thresholds to avoid triggering Currency Transaction Report (CTR)
requirements. The $9,500 amount is just below the $10,000
threshold.
Question 3
Which of the following is a predicate offense for money
laundering under most international frameworks?
A. Tax evasion
B. Fraud
C. Drug trafficking
D. All of the above
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: Predicate offenses are crimes that generate illicit
proceeds. Drug trafficking, fraud, and tax evasion are all
recognized as predicate offenses under the FATF
Recommendations and most national AML regimes.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of terrorist financing?
A. To generate profit for the financier
B. To fund terrorist activities regardless of source legitimacy
C. To launder money through legitimate businesses
D. To avoid detection by financial institutions
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Terrorist financing is distinct from money
laundering in that its primary purpose is to fund terrorist activities,
not necessarily to generate profit. Funds may originate from
legitimate sources, including charitable donations and self-
funding.
Question 5
Which of the following best describes trade-based money
laundering?
A. Using cash deposits to move illicit funds
B. Exploiting trade transactions to transfer value across borders
C. Using cryptocurrency to obscure transactions
D. Structuring deposits below reporting thresholds
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Trade-based money laundering involves the
manipulation of trade transactions—such as over-invoicing,
under-invoicing, or misrepresenting goods—to transfer value
across borders and obscure the origin of illicit funds.
Question 6
What are the three stages of money laundering in correct order?
A. Layering, Placement, Integration
B. Placement, Layering, Integration
C. Integration, Layering, Placement
D. Structuring, Layering, Integration
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The three stages of money laundering are
Placement (introduction of illicit funds into the financial system),
