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Exam Tips April 15, 20268 min read

How to Pass the NY Notary Exam on Your First Try

The NY notary exam trips up far more candidates than it should. The material is not hard - but the format has specific traps that unprepared candidates fall into repeatedly. Here is what to do differently.

Why People Fail the NY Notary Exam

The failure rate on the NY notary exam is higher than most people expect going in. The exam only has 40 questions and you only need 28 correct (70%) to pass - so why do so many people fail?

Three reasons come up repeatedly:

  • Not memorizing the fees. Fee questions appear on virtually every exam. Getting three fee questions wrong because you remembered $10 instead of $5 is an avoidable loss.
  • Confusing similar terms. Acknowledgment vs jurat. Executor vs administrator. Affiant vs affidavit. The exam loves these distinctions.
  • Misreading "NOT" questions. A question asking "which of the following is NOT a power of a notary" means the correct answer is the one that does not belong. Many test-takers miss the NOT and choose an answer that IS a power.

The 2-Week Study Plan That Works

Week 1, Days 1-2

Read the official NY DOS Notary Public License Law booklet straight through. Do not highlight yet - just read to get a feel for the scope.

Week 1, Days 3-4

Study Part 1 (License Law) in depth. Create a fee sheet with every dollar amount. Quiz yourself on eligibility requirements and the removal process.

Week 1, Days 5-7

Study Part 2 (General Terms). Make flashcards for each term with definition on one side and the exam trap on the other.

Week 2, Days 1-2

Study Part 3 (Duties). Learn the CAN/CANNOT list. Take your first full practice exam and review every wrong answer.

Week 2, Days 3-5

Re-read any sections where you got questions wrong. Take a second practice exam. Target above 85%.

Week 2, Days 6-7

Light review only. Do not cram. Review your fee sheet and term definitions. Rest the night before.

The Fees You Must Memorize

Fee questions appear on almost every exam. Get these exact - not approximately right, exactly right.

FeeAmount
Exam fee$15
Application/Renewal fee$60
Acknowledgment (per person)$2
Oath or affirmation$2
RON per actUp to $25
Name/address change$10
Duplicate ID card$10
Certificate of Official Character (SOS)$10
Certificate of Official Character (County Clerk)$5
County filing fee$10

Exam Day - What to Do

  • Arrive 15 minutes early. Do not cut it close.
  • Read every question twice before answering. Watch for NOT and EXCEPT.
  • Flag questions you are unsure about and come back to them.
  • Do not spend more than 90 seconds on any one question.
  • If you are genuinely unsure, eliminate the clearly wrong answers and make your best guess. Do not leave blanks.
  • Review all your answers if time permits before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

The NY DOS does not publish official pass/fail rates, but anecdotal reports from exam centers suggest roughly 25-40% of first-time candidates do not pass. Most failures come from underestimating the fee questions and exact statutory language.
There is no limit on retakes. Each attempt costs $15. Many people pass on their second attempt after identifying and reviewing their weak areas from the first try.
No. The exam is closed-book. No notes, study materials, phones, or reference materials are allowed in the exam room.

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