A Manhattan judge has barred the NYPD from promoting sergeants to lieutenants pending a hearing on claims by eight cops that the department’s advancement test was unfair.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Margaret Chan issued the temporary promotion freeze Tuesday after the cops’ lawyer, Randolph McLaughlin, said his clients weren’t told in advance which topics would be on the exam.

His clients failed the exam and were not placed on a list for promotions that were scheduled to be made on May 20, he said.

A hearing is scheduled for late next month.