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Liiz121 · Newbie

Should I purchase the captain’s prep course?

machine · Senior Member

100%. Worse case scenario you would be overly prepared (as you should) for your upcoming promotion.

-- Edited by machine on Saturday 15th of November 2025 04:06:13 PM

KeyCapt · THE KEY—Instructor

Better to be ready than not ready and you get the chance to take the test!!

Liiz121 · Newbie

Thank you so much. I appreciate the words of motivation. I needed that

Infamous · Member

I had a friend that was a class out from being eligible for the sergeant exam when it was initially announced. Didnt take an a prep course and the test date got pushed back making him eligible. He took the exam unprepared and scored in the 20s.

-- Edited by Infamous on Sunday 16th of November 2025 02:15:50 PM

Liiz121 · Newbie

cry cry cry cry

JPAL91091 · Senior Member

Looks like might work out for you I
Since admin bulletin came out saying test likely will be given in september

Liiz121 · Newbie

I SAW THAT!!!!! OMG!!! I'm running around like a chicken without a head lol I'm so EXCITED!!! However, I need the number of lieutenants getting promoted to increase! The average is 24, if that doesn't change, I can still fall short a month.

El Norte · Senior Member

Im on a similar situation, going to study. Nothing worse than becoming eligible and realizing you could have prepared, and like someone mentioned above we should know what to do as lieutenants anyway.

El Norte · Senior Member

I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?

NauseousPBBN · Senior Member

Yes, a formal request needs to be made.

nycop80 · Guru

This is no longer true. Read the notice of exams from the last exams. 1 day in rank is what it used to be. It now states you need to appear on the list. Yes its possible now that a police officer can take a Lt exam and it will count. Same as a sergeant taking a captains exam.

-- Edited by nycop80 on Friday 28th of November 2025 09:16:02 PM

nycop80 · Guru

El Norte wrote:
I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?

This is untrue now, read my response.

nycop80 · Guru

nycop80 wrote:
El Norte wrote:
I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?
This is untrue now, read my response.

I have included the notice of exam info. Read in the middle where it states eligibility requirements.

nycop80 · Guru

nycop80 wrote:
nycop80 wrote:
El Norte wrote:
I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?
This is untrue now, read my response.
I have included the notice of exam info. Read in the middle where it states eligibility requirements.

or your name must appear on a

Preferred List for Lieutenant (Police) at the time of promotion

3testwonder · Guru

Thats awesome. Did not know that! Huge

Kass · Veteran Member

What exactly is a preferred list?

El Norte · Senior Member

nycop80 wrote:
This is no longer true. Read the notice of exams from the last exams. 1 day in rank is what it used to be. It now states you need to appear on the list. Yes its possible now that a police officer can take a Lt exam and it will count. Same as a sergeant taking a captains exam.

-- Edited by nycop80 on Friday 28th of November 2025 09:16:02 PM

Thank you for that information. This really changes the game for a lot of people.

NauseousPBBN · Senior Member

..

-- Edited by NauseousPBBN on Saturday 29th of November 2025 02:42:36 AM

sgtnice · Newbie

Did a google AI search and got this:

"To be eligible to take the NYPD Captain exam administered by DCAS, you must already hold a permanent appointment as a Lieutenant (Police) or appear on a Preferred List for that title at the time of the test. Simply being on a promotion list for Lieutenant, without having been actually promoted from that list, is not sufficient to be eligible for the Captain's exam.
The Notice of Examination (NOE) for Captain explicitly states the requirements to take the exam:

Hold a permanent (not provisional) competitive appointment for the title of Lieutenant (Police).
OR appear on a Preferred List for the title of Lieutenant (Police).

The requirement to have served permanently in the rank of Lieutenant for at least two years and successfully complete the probationary period for Lieutenant is an additional condition for promotion to the rank of Captain, which happens after passing the exam.

In short, you must be a promoted Lieutenant (or on a Preferred List for Lieutenant) to be eligible to sit for the Captain's exam. The time-in-rank requirement (two years) applies at the time of the actual promotion to Captain, not necessarily at the time you take the Captain exam. "

transit_recid · Member

It appears that you may be eligible to take the test if you were on the lieutenants list and are no longer with the department, but still within the time frame (1 year) to come back. They would have to have already promoted past your list number for you to be able to sign up and take the exam.

TenFour16 · Guru

Attached is the NOE for the Captains exam in 2017 that mentions the preferred list also. I dont believe this preferred list thing simply means being on the list.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707544000.pdf

TenFour16 · Guru

Side note. Sergeants exam NOE also mentions preferred list. Would this mean a Traffic Agent or School Safety Agent on a promotional Police Officer list be eligible to take the Sgts exam ? Lol I could be wrong about all this I just think DCAS does a poor job elaborating what a preferred list is. They should probably add this explanation to their NOEs.

El Norte · Senior Member

TenFour16 wrote:
Attached is the NOE for the Captains exam in 2017 that mentions the preferred list also. I dont believe this preferred list thing simply means being on the list.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707544000.pdf

Well is back to square one. What number do you guys think theyll reach to have the one day in rank before the test?

-- Edited by El Norte on Saturday 29th of November 2025 02:02:52 PM

nycop80 · Guru

TenFour16 wrote:
Attached is the NOE for the Captains exam in 2017 that mentions the preferred list also. I dont believe this preferred list thing simply means being on the list.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707544000.pdf

It absoultely does mean this which is what a preferred list means. If you look at old NOEs you will clearly see the difference in eligibility.

TenFour16 · Guru

2017 Lts NOE with the same requirements.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707532000.pdf

In 2017, Sgts exam takers who were on the infamous 2013 list were rushed to promotion (big classes) because DCAS apparently wanted more registrants for the 2017 Lts exam. That of course, was a rumor. But if this preferred list thing was actually a thing they wouldnt have had to get promoted. I guess emailing DCAS to confirm is the last resort here.

-- Edited by TenFour16 on Sunday 30th of November 2025 12:42:11 AM

TenFour16 · Guru

2013 Sgt. Exam forum topic titled Big Classes Coming somewhat confirms the rush in promotion.

Ill gladly be wrong, im going to do some digging and maybe even contact DCAS and keep everyone posted. If anyone beats me to it let us know.

nycop80 · Guru

In the context of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), a Preferred List is a specific civil service list for certain former permanent employees who have re-employment rights.
Key points regarding a DCAS Preferred List:
Purpose: It is used for the re-hiring of individuals who were permanent employees in a specific competitive civil service title but were suspended or laid off from their positions through no fault of their own, often due to budgetary reasons or the abolition of positions.
Priority: Employees on the Preferred List have priority for being rehired into the eligible title before new candidates from a general "eligible list" are considered.
Eligibility: Inclusion on this list is determined by New York Civil Service Law and personnel rules, specifically for those who held permanent, competitive appointments.
Use in Examinations: When DCAS announces promotion exams, the eligibility requirements often state that candidates must hold a permanent appointment or appear on a Preferred List for a feeder title to be eligible to take the promotion exam.
Essentially, it is a mechanism to ensure that experienced, permanent employees who lost their jobs through no fault of their own get the first opportunity to return to City employment in their former title. You can find more details in the NYC Personnel Rules and Regulations.

nycop80 · Guru

TenFour16 wrote:
2013 Sgt. Exam forum topic titled Big Classes Coming somewhat confirms the rush in promotion.

Ill gladly be wrong, im going to do some digging and maybe even contact DCAS and keep everyone posted. If anyone beats me to it let us know.

I think you are right, it would say promotional list not preferred list. I think i am incorrect.

3testwonder · Guru

Rumors are no cpt exam until 27. Makes sense

El Norte · Senior Member

3testwonder wrote:
Rumors are no cpt exam until 27. Makes sense

The job mentioned September, assuming early 2027 wouldnt be that big of a jump. I wish they would give a more exact date studying for 12 months not knowing definitely can burn people out.

NauseousPBBN · Senior Member

List expires end of 2026. No way they do test in 2027. If anything it'll be earlier than September.

pd22 · Veteran Member

Of the two big prep classes one predicted April/May and one predicted June. The job predicts September and the current list is dead in January. 2027 seems very unlikely.

JPAL91091 · Senior Member

pd22 wrote:
Of the two big prep classes one predicted April/May and one predicted June. The job predicts September and the current list is dead in January. 2027 seems very unlikely.

This captains list has had multiple classes where 1-3 guys and gals take the promo and walk to the pension section .. and we are already starting to see 19-21 year Insp and one stars leave

i think test will be august the latest

-- Edited by JPAL91091 on Tuesday 9th of December 2025 02:08:47 AM

Tony Rags · Founder/Partner

Hi all,
In regard to any confusion about "preferred lists", hopefully I can clear it up here:

In NYC civil service usage, a "Preferred List" is a rehire/reinstatement list for former permanent incumbents of a title (here: Lieutenant (Police)) who were separated, laid off, or demoted through no fault of their own (typically due to position abolition/reduction-in-force), and therefore have statutory rehiring rights.

NYC's personnel rules also treat "Preferred List" status as something that happens when someone is suspended from a position through no fault of the employee, and they are then allowed to compete in promotion exams they'd otherwise be eligible for based on their prior service.

So, does this mean a Sergeant appearing on a Lieutenant promotion list can take the Captain exam?

No - being a Sergeant who is merely "on the Lieutenant promotion list" does not equal "appears on a Preferred List for the title of Lieutenant (Police)." It is NOT the same thing.

A promotion eligible list = you passed an exam and are eligible to be appointed/promoted in the future.
A preferred list = you already held the title permanently in the past, then were displaced (through no fault), and have rehire rights back into that same title.

Because the NOE says you must either (a) "hold a permanent competitive appointment" as Lieutenant or (b) "appear on a Preferred List...for the title of Lieutenant," that's aimed at:

Current permanent Lieutenants, and
Former permanent Lieutenants with reinstatement/rehire rights.

In the end, a Sergeant who has not yet been appointed Lieutenant satisfies neither condition, so they would not be eligible to sit for the Captain exam under that language.

Hope this helps!

Tony

-- Edited by Tony Rags on Friday 26th of December 2025 07:29:12 PM

-- Edited by Tony Rags on Friday 26th of December 2025 07:29:48 PM

Tony Rags · Founder/Partner

Also, Ed & I are actively working to again bring you all our legendary questions through a new LMS & app we're creating. We are anticipating the exam being given late summer/early fall of 2026. More to come soon.....

Tony

VetteCop · Senior Member

on the cusp of being eligible for the capt test, although i don't think i'd make it.... That being said when looking at the key and elite programs (i've taken both in the past) I am a little disheartened that Mike has his kid teaching the course with him. Is he even old enough to be a cop? Goes to show you it really is just death by powerpoint....

Always hear good things about rising star questions though! If I give it another go I would definitely use the questions.

cat · Senior Member

You have got to be sh1tt1ng me!!!!! I would not have believed it if I didn't see it on the website. This guy is actually having his kid who is not even old enough to shave teach lieutenants to be captains???

Gabagool · Veteran Member

Ive taken Mike for all my exams and this is the first time Im considering switching because I really cant get past that his kid is teaching. He tries to teach it like he is his dad and then my mind wanders off somewhere else when I catch that.

VetteCop · Senior Member

Gabagool wrote:
Ive taken Mike for all my exams and this is the first time Im considering switching because I really cant get past that his kid is teaching. He tries to teach it like he is his dad and then my mind wanders off somewhere else when I catch that.

He wants to pass the family business over to his son, who never did the job. Tough sell. But he's wearing the elite uniform at least.

63ASAP · Guru

Its all about the $$. It goes back to the days of Fast Track when Mike absconded with all the materials and ditched his partners to form Elite. He later had to pay a settlement after a lawsuit. Anyone who was studying for exams around that time remembers it well.

Ultimately its cheaper to pay your kid what is likely peanuts in comparison to a competent instructor who commands a pretty penny but actually knows the material. I dont have much skin in the game anymore, my test taking days are over, but the arrogance of someone thinking that cops are not going to notice that you have a college kid teaching you about complaints as a subject matter expert when they have never filled a 61 out themselves is just mind-boggling to me.

Maybe Im biased, I was a Key guy, but I understood why people liked Mike and his material. But I cant imagine someone willingly dropping nearly $1k to sit there and be lectured by a college kid. I dont think Mike is doing himself any favors by doing this. But hey, maybe Im just an old dog now and no one will care.