Canadian Firefighter Aptitude Test Information and Practice

1. Check the local minimum requirements: All fire departments in Canada have some minimum education and physical requirements and they differ from province to province.   Most require a high school diploma, (or Canadian Adult Education Credential) and be in good physical condition at the very minimum. Many require additional education and training, such as a college or university.  Check with the Office of Fire Commissioner in your area for detailed requirements.  See below for physical requirements.
2. Get certified: Firefighters must have a valid Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC)certification. There are OFC office in each province.  You can obtain this certification by completing a recognized firefighting program at a college or university, or by completing a combination of on-the-job training and and accredited program.  You will need to pass a series of exams and interviews in order to enter a program.  See below for contents of the test.
3. On-the-Job-Training: Once hired as a firefighter, your employer will provide additional training on the job. This may include additional classroom training as well as practical training on firefighting topics such as fire suppression, rescue operations, and hazardous materials handling.
4. Get licensed: After your training is complete, the OFC will issue a license to work as a firefighter in Canada. To obtain your license, you must pass a written and a practical exam.

Most common Canadian firefighters tests

FF EL 100 Series
FF EL 200 Series
FF EL 300 Series
Fire and Police Selection (FPSI)
Comprehensive Exam Battery (CEB)
Practice Skills Test (PST)
Occupational Specific (OS Test)

Test Contents

All the above tests are similar with a few variations.   Most tests have 100 multiple choice questions covering the following areas:

• Reading Comprehension
• Listening Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Writing
• Basic Math (Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, simple geometry)
• Mechanical Aptitude
• Map Reading
• Logical and mathematical reasoning ability (drawing inferences, word problems)
• Spatial Sense

Common Mistakes on the Canadian Firefighter Test

1. Poor physical fitness Firefighting is physically demanding, so if you aren’t in excellent shape you may struggle during the physical test. Prepare yourself for the physical test in advance.
2. Poor time management on the test.   The Canadian firefighter test is a timed test.  How to manage your time on a test
3. Not preparing.  This is a tough test so make sure you know your stuff!  Firefighter practice questions here
4. Not following the test instructions.   This a common error on any test.  Read the instructions for each section and follow precisely. If you don’t pay close attention, you will make careless mistakes that affect your score needlessly.
5. Inability to work in a team. Firefighters work closely with others, so candidates who don’t demonstrate good teamwork skills are not a good fit for the job.  Your teamwork skills are assessed during the interview portion
6. Poor communication skills. Effective communication is crucial for firefighters.   Your communication skills are also assessed during the interview process.
7. Poor problem-solving skills. Firefighters must often solve complex problems quickly.
8. Failure to adapt.  Firefighters must adapt to changing situations quickly, so candidates who don’t demonstrate adaptability may not be seen as a good fit for the job.