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Take the POS and EMV Application Knowledge Test

Test Your EMV Payment Skills in Minutes

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art displaying POS and EMV application knowledge test quiz.

Jump into this hands-on POS and EMV Application Knowledge Test and sharpen your payment application expertise. Designed for IT professionals, payment specialists, and students, this EMV quiz challenges your grasp of contact and contactless transactions, security protocols, and terminal configurations. Discover similar assessments like the POS Special Items Training Quiz or the Mobile Application User Knowledge Quiz to expand your skills. Each question is fully editable in our intuitive editor, so you can tailor and reuse this free resource. Ready to boost your credentials? Explore more quizzes today!

What is the primary purpose of EMV technology in payment cards?
To increase magnetic stripe capacity
To provide offline discounts
To enable chip-based authentication and security
To store customer loyalty points
EMV technology uses an embedded chip to authenticate transactions and enhance security against cloning. This chip-based method replaces or supplements the older magnetic stripe approach. It does not serve to store loyalty points or provide discounts by itself.
Which of the following describes the correct initial step in a typical POS EMV transaction flow?
Issuer sends an ARPC the card
Cardholder enters signature before reading the chip
Terminal requests the card's application list
Terminal sends an authorization approval to the issuer
After insertion or contactless tap, the terminal sends a GET PROCESSING OPTIONS or equivalent request to retrieve the card's list of supported applications. This allows the terminal to identify which EMV application to use. Authorization and signature steps occur later.
What does CVM stand for in EMV processing?
Cardholder Verification Method
Card Validation Mechanism
Customer Verification Machine
Chip Verification Model
CVM stands for Cardholder Verification Method, which refers to how the terminal verifies the cardholder, such as PIN or signature. It is critical for establishing that the person using the card is the rightful owner. It does not refer to validation of the chip itself.
Which authentication method uses a shared secret known only between the card and issuer during an EMV transaction?
Offline PIN
Signature
Static Data Authentication
Dynamic Data Authentication
Offline PIN verification uses a secret PIN stored on the card, verified by the chip offline against user entry. Static Data Authentication and Dynamic Data Authentication involve certificate checks, while signature is a manual verification.
What key data element allows the terminal to identify which application on the card to use?
Expiry Date
CVV
AID
PAN
The Application Identifier (AID) is a unique tag that identifies the payment application on the chip and is used by the terminal to select the correct application. PAN and expiry date are cardholder data but do not identify the EMV application. CVV is for verification in card-not-present transactions.
After receiving the Application File Locator in an EMV transaction, what is the next terminal action?
Send authorization request to issuer
Perform CVM list processing
Generate ARQC
Read record data from the card
Once the terminal obtains the AFL from GET PROCESSING OPTIONS, it uses those pointers to read the necessary data records from the card. Authorization and CVM processing happen after record retrieval. ARQC generation occurs later in the flow.
Which cryptogram does the terminal include in its authorization request to the issuer?
AAC
ARQC
TC
ARPC
The Authorization Request Cryptogram (ARQC) is generated by the card and forwarded by the terminal to the issuer to prove authenticity and integrity. TC and AAC are transaction result cryptograms returned to the card, and ARPC is the issuer's response cryptogram.
What is the function of the Terminal Action Code - Denial in EMV configurations?
Indicates which CVMs are allowed
Sets online PIN parameters
Lists applications the terminal can support
Defines reasons the terminal must decline offline transactions
Terminal Action Code (TAC) - Denial contains risk parameters and criteria under which the terminal must automatically decline an EMV transaction offline. It does not list supported applications or configure CVM or PIN specifics.
Which EMV data object contains the unpredictable number used in cryptogram generation?
82 (AIP)
5A (PAN)
9F37 (Unpredictable Number)
9F02 (Amount Authorized)
Tag 9F37 is designated for the unpredictable number, which provides randomness in ARQC generation. AIP indicates supported features, and 9F02 is transaction amount. PAN identifies the card number.
Which EMV authentication mode can generate a unique, transaction-specific dynamic signature?
Offline PIN
SDA (Static Data Authentication)
CDA (Combined Data Authentication)
DDA (Dynamic Data Authentication)
Dynamic Data Authentication (DDA) uses asymmetric keys to create a signature that varies per transaction for strong card authentication. CDA combines DDA and transaction verification but the question asks specifically for dynamic signatures. SDA only verifies static data.
In an EMV terminal's AID priority list, why might one application be placed above another?
To optimize online PIN entry speed
To reduce cardholder verification steps
To select the preferred payment scheme when multiple AIDs match
To enforce CVM requirements
The AID priority list in the terminal determines which payment application to use first if the card supports multiple applications (e.g., Visa vs. Mastercard). It is unrelated to PIN speed or CVM enforcement directly.
Which PIN Block format is commonly used in EMV online PIN verification?
ANSI X9.8
ISO-0
ISO-1
ISO-2
ISO-2 is widely used for EMV online PIN blocks, where the PIN is formatted with padding and the cardholder's account number. ISO-0 is common for offline PIN, and ANSI X9.8 is a broader PIN standard but not specific to online EMV.
What is the purpose of the Terminal Risk Management step in EMV?
To update the card's AID list
To decide if an offline approval, decline, or online authorization is required
To configure the terminal's MAC key
To read the card's public key
Terminal risk management evaluates data like floor limits, velocity checks, and TACs to decide if the transaction should be approved offline, declined offline, or sent online for authorization. It does not involve reading public keys or AID lists.
Which EMV tag identifies the Application Interchange Profile (AIP)?
5F34
82
9F27
9F10
Tag 82 is the Application Interchange Profile, indicating the card's capabilities (e.g., SDA, DDA, offline PIN). 9F27 is cryptogram info data, 9F10 is issuer application data, and 5F34 is application PAN sequence number.
Which EMV authentication method offers the highest resistance to relay attacks?
SDA
Static PIN
CDA
DDA
Combined Data Authentication (CDA) provides strong dynamic authentication and includes transaction-specific data, offering superior protection against relay and man-in-the-middle attacks compared to SDA or DDA alone. Static PIN is unrelated to card authentication.
In case of a terminal receiving an ICC response with SW1 SW2 = 6985, what does this indicate?
No precise diagnosis
Conditions of use not satisfied
Incorrect parameters in data field
File not found
Status words 6985 mean "Conditions of use not satisfied," indicating the requested action is not allowed by the card under current conditions. Other codes like 6A82 denote file not found, and 6A80 indicates general wrong data.
During TLV parsing, you encounter a constructed tag with length 0x81. What does this length byte signify?
More length bytes follow
Indicates indefinite length
Value length is 129 bytes
Value is empty
In TLV encoding, a length byte of 0x81 indicates that one subsequent byte defines the length of the value, and 0x81 itself does not represent 129 bytes. It signals extended length parsing, not an empty value or indefinite length.
When configuring a CAPK table on a terminal, why is the RID important?
It specifies the key index
It contains the expiration date
It identifies the issuer's unique public key directory
It determines which TAC to use
The RID (Registered Application Provider Identifier) uniquely identifies the payment network and groups related CAPKs. It is not the key index or related to TACs or expiration dates directly, though each CAPK entry also has an index and expiry.
A terminal receives AAC from the card during transaction completion. What should the terminal do next?
Send an online authorization request
Perform issuer script processing
Approve the transaction offline
Decline the transaction
AAC (Application Authentication Cryptogram) indicates the card wants to decline offline. The terminal should follow the EMV flow by denying the transaction and not send it online. Issuer scripts are irrelevant after AAC for a failed transaction.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse transaction flows in POS and EMV environments.
  2. Evaluate EMV terminal configurations and security settings.
  3. Identify key authentication methods in payment processing.
  4. Apply EMV standards to resolve common terminal errors.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of card data protection protocols.
  6. Solve real-world POS scenarios using EMV knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the EMV Transaction Flow - Follow the journey of a chip card as it's detected, authenticated, and authorized by the payment network. Grasping each step helps you troubleshoot hiccups and appreciate the security dance behind every tap or insert. Dive into the EMV transaction flow
  2. Configure EMV Terminals Properly - Tinker with settings like Terminal Action Codes and Capabilities to ensure your device accepts payments smoothly and securely. Proper configuration is your secret weapon against declines and security gaps. See the EMV terminal configuration guide
  3. Recognize Different Terminal Types - From countertop scanners to vending machines, attend to the quirks of attended and unattended terminals. Knowing their unique setups keeps all payment points humming along without surprises. Explore terminal type differences
  4. Master Key Management Schemes - Dive into MK/SK and DUKPT methods to see how each transaction gets its own encryption cloak. Understanding key flows means you'll know exactly how data stays under lock and key. Unlock key management secrets
  5. Explore Cardholder Verification Methods (CVMs) - PIN, signature, or no CVM: each method suits different scenarios and risk levels. Learn how terminals pick the best verification move and why it matters for both security and convenience. Check out CVM selection basics
  6. Analyze Terminal Risk Management - Terminals play judge and jury by comparing transactions against offline limits and hot card lists. Spotting red flags early keeps fraudsters at bay and customers happy. Delve into risk management tactics
  7. Understand Terminal Action Codes (TACs) - TACs act like decision matrices, telling a terminal when to approve, decline, or go online for extra checks. Getting to grips with these codes ensures you set the right thresholds. Learn about TAC-driven decisions
  8. Learn About Application Identifiers (AIDs) - AIDs are the magic key that picks the right app on a card - think of them as app store IDs for chip cards. Understanding AIDs helps you predict and control transaction routing. Discover how AIDs steer transactions
  9. Explore Selectable Kernel Configurations - Dynamic kernels let terminals switch configurations on the fly for different payment scenarios. This flexibility powers everything from quick grocery taps to secure high-value purchases. Understand selectable kernels
  10. Stay Informed on EMV Standards and Updates - EMV standards evolve faster than you might expect, bringing new security and feature enhancements. Keeping up means you'll always be on the cutting edge of payment tech. Stay current with EMV specs
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