Firefighter Practice Questions

Understanding written material, reading comprehension, is an essential skill for firefighters, so they can effectively understand and interpret written instructions and material.  Here are some important elements of reading comprehension for firefighters:

• Identify sequences.  Part of the job requires reading and absorbing technical material.  Summarizing and identifying sequences is a critical skill.
• Vocabulary. Firefighters need understand technical terms and jargon related to firefighting, such as fire suppression techniques, equipment, and safety protocols. Understanding the meanings of these words and phrases is essential for effective communication and decision-making on the job.
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• Understanding Context. Firefighters need to be able to understand the context information is presented, which includes the purpose, audience, and tone of written or verbal communication. Contextual understanding of written material is important to interpret and respond to information.
• Comprehension Strategies. Firefighters need a variety of reading comprehension strategies to understand and retain information, such as summarizing, analyzing, drawing logical conclusions, questioning, predicting, and visualizing. These strategies are important to comprehend complex or technical information.
• Critical Thinking Firefighters need to be able to analyze and evaluate information, identify potential risks or problems, and make informed decisions based on the information presented. Critical thinking skills, in addition to logic and reasoning (below) are essential for effective problem-solving and decision-making in high-stress and complex situations.
• Distinguishing facts from details.  Firefighters need to identify specific facts or details from a passage quickly and distinguish between facts and details.

Understanding Written Materials questions appear on these firefighter tests:

FSAB — McCann Entry-Level — Morris McDaniel S.H.I.E.L.D — NFST  —  Fireteam

Understanding Written Materials Practice

Reading Comprehension I – 20 questions
Reading Comprehension II – 8 questions

How to Answer This type of Question

Basic math skills are essential for firefighters, as they perform calculations related to fire suppression, rescue operations, and emergency medical services. Here are some important elements of basic math for firefighters:

Arithmetic Operations. Basic arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, used to calculate quantities such as hose lengths, water flow rates, and distances.

Fractions Percent and Decimals. Firefighters must be able to work with commonly used in measurements related to firefighting, such as hose diameters, pump pressures, and water supply volumes.

Geometry. A basic understanding of geometry, particularly in relation to the shapes and angles of buildings, vehicles, and other structures, is important for making accurate measurements, assessing fire behavior, and planning rescue operations.

Ratios and Proportions. Ratios and proportions calculations are used to calculating mixing and dilution of chemicals and other substances used in firefighting.

Conversions and Units of Measure. Convert between different units of measurement, such as feet to meters, gallons to liters, and pounds to kilograms, are important for accurately calculate quantities and ensuring equipment and resources are used effectively.

Estimation. Accurate estimates based on incomplete information, particularly in emergency situations where time is critical is part of the job. Examples include, estimating the size and spread of a fire, the number of people in a building, or the amount of water needed to suppress a fire.

Basic Math questions appear on the following firefighter tests:

McCann Entry-Level — CPS Research & Standard & Associates (NFST) —  CPS Research — Standard & Associates (NFST)  —  Fireteam

Basic Math
Basic Math 2
Exponents
Fractions, Percent and Decimals
Word Problems
Metric Conversion
Percent
Basic Geometry – 9 questions
Pythagorean Geometry
Slope of a Line 

Order of Operations

Understanding oral information is an essential skill for firefighters, to effectively communicate with their colleagues, receive instructions from supervisors, and interact with members of the public in emergency situations. Here are some important elements of understanding oral information for firefighters:

Active Listening. Firefighters must be able to actively listen to and understand oral instructions and information, and ask questions for clarification as needed.

Listening Comprehension. Firefighters must be able to understand and interpret the meaning of spoken information, including technical terms, jargon, and emergency protocols.

Multitasking. Firefighters process and understand oral information while simultaneously carrying out other tasks.

Firefighter tests with listening comprehension

CPS Research & Standard & Associates (NFST)  CWH Research

LISTENING COMPREHENSION PRACTICE – SOLVING A PROBLEM

HOW TO ANSWER LISTENING COMPREHENSION

LISTENING COMPREHENSION PRACTICE

LISTENING COMPREHENSION – CONVERSATIONS

Firefighter tests with Memory and Recall Questions:  Darany Entry Level

Memory and Recall

Memory Practice (Video)

The Mechanical Aptitude section includes

• Reading gauges
• Reading maps
• Visualizing floor plans and houses
• Following direction on given maps
• Gears, levers and mechanical devices

Firefighter Tests with mechanical comprehension questions:

CWH — FST  —  Fireteam

Mechanical  Comprehension I – 8 questions
Mechanical Comprehension II 
Spatial Ability – 5 questions

Judgment and reasoning skills are critical for firefighters, as they are required to make quick, effective, and informed decisions in high-pressure and potentially life-threatening situations.  Judgment and Reasoning questions are common sense questions that do not require any special knowledge.

Situational Awareness. Firefighters have to observe, process, and interpret information about their environment, including potential hazards and risks, in order to make informed decisions and take appropriate action.

Risk Assessment. Firefighters must assess the potential risks and hazards, and make informed decisions about how to handle them.

Critical Thinking. Firefighters must analyze and evaluate information, consider multiple factors and potential outcomes, and make informed decisions.

Decision-Making. Firefighters must make quick and effective decisions based on the information available, while taking into account the safety of themselves, their colleagues, and the public.

Adaptability. Firefighters must be adaptable to respond to changing circumstances, and make decisions on the fly, adjusting their strategies and tactics based on new information or unexpected developments.

Tests with Judgement and Reasoning practice questions:

CWH — McCann Entry – Level — Fireteam

Judgment and reasoning practice

Situational Judgement Practice

• English grammar
• English usage
• Punctuation
• Subject – verb agreement
• Sentence structure

Tests with Writing questions:

EB Jacobs (FSAB)
FST (IOS)

English Usage – 15 questions
English Grammar – 20 questions
Punctuation – 12 questions

Writing Tips and Tutorials

How to Prepare for a Vocabulary Test

Firefighter Tests with Vocabulary Questions: 

EB Jacobs (FSAB)
FST (IOS)

Vocabulary Practice Questions
Vocabulary Practice II
Meaning in Context
Antonyms
Synonyms

Includes: 

• Matching
• Sequences & Series
• Analogies

How to Solve Analogies

Logic Tutorial

Firefighter Tests with Logic and Deductive Reasoning Questions: 

EB Jacobs (FSAB)
FST (IOS)

Analogies Practice

Analytical Thinking 

Number Series Practice and Tutorial

IQ Type Graphic Questions

IQ type Graphic Questions II

Matching