The FST (Firefighter Selection Tool) Exam is structured to evaluate key skills and traits essential for a successful firefighting career. The exam is divided into two main sections: the first focuses on non-cognitive aspects, capturing personality traits and biographical information, while the second section assesses cognitive skills.
Though the FST does contain questions that pertain to the firefighting profession, it’s designed in such a way that prior experience or knowledge in firefighting is not necessary to pass.
The firefighter FST Exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate a range of skills and qualities essential for success in the firefighting profession. The test is usually divided into multiple sections, each aiming to measure specific capabilities. Here’s an overview of typical components:
Numerical Reasoning
This part assesses your ability to understand and manipulate numerical data. Expect questions involving arithmetic, ratios, percentages, and sometimes more complex mathematical problems.
Verbal Reasoning
This section is designed to test your comprehension skills. You’ll be asked to read passages of text and draw logical conclusions, identify main points, or interpret information.
Spatial Awareness
This part of the exam tests your ability to visualize spatial arrangements. You may need to imagine how shapes and objects appear when rotated or understand how different components fit together in three dimensions.
Logical Reasoning
In this section, you’ll need to demonstrate your capacity to identify patterns, sequences, or logical relationships among various elements.
Mechanical Reasoning
Not all firefighter exams include this, but when they do, it evaluates your understanding of basic mechanical principles like levers, pulleys, and gears.
Situational Judgement
This component presents hypothetical, job-related situations, requiring you to choose the most appropriate response or rank different responses based on their effectiveness.
Physical Ability Test
Because firefighting is a physically demanding job, there’s often a separate physical ability test. This might involve activities like carrying heavy equipment, climbing ladders, or performing other tasks that simulate the physical requirements of firefighting.
Interview and Background Check
The recruitment process usually concludes with an oral interview and a thorough background check. This aims to assess whether candidates possess the character and integrity required for the demanding role of a firefighter.
FST Scoring
Scoring for the FST (Firefighter Selection Tool) Exam consists of several components. In the section on non-cognitive traits, you’ll receive a score for each of the two sub-sections, and these scores are then combined to produce an overall score for the non-cognitive portion of the test. Similarly, in the section that evaluates cognitive abilities, individual scores are given for each of the eight categories, and these are aggregated to form a comprehensive cognitive abilities score.
The scores from the two main sections are then merged to generate a final score, presented on a 100-point scale. Every section and sub-section of the FST contributes to this cumulative score.
It’s worth noting that your score is based solely on the number of correct answers; there are no deductions for incorrect answers. As such, it’s crucial to attempt every question on the test. Even a random guess offers a 25% chance of being correct, given that there’s no penalty for incorrect answers.
Firefighter FST Written Exam Practice Sample
The Firefighter FST written exam is designed to measure whether a candidate has the core skills needed to move forward in the firefighter hiring process. It is usually not a test of firefighting experience or advanced fire science knowledge. Instead, it often focuses on the kinds of abilities that help predict success in training and emergency service work, such as reading comprehension, basic math, written communication, reasoning, judgment, and work-related decision-making.
For many candidates, the hardest part of the exam is not that the questions are extremely difficult. The challenge is usually the combination of time pressure, careful reading, and the need to stay accurate under stress. That is why practicing sample questions is one of the best ways to prepare.
Below is a Firefighter FST written exam practice sample with question types similar to what many firefighter candidates prepare for.
1. Reading Comprehension
Read the passage:
A fire crew responding to a warehouse alarm is told that hazardous materials may be stored in the rear section of the building. The first arriving officer orders the team to avoid entering that section until more information is confirmed. The crew is instructed to secure the perimeter, monitor conditions, and wait for further direction.
Question: What is the main reason the crew is told not to enter the rear section immediately?
A. The rear section is already on fire
B. The officer wants to delay the response
C. Hazardous materials may be present and conditions must be confirmed first
D. The crew does not have enough firefighters
Correct answer: C
2. Vocabulary
Question: Which word is closest in meaning to adequate?
A. Insufficient
B. Sufficient
C. Dangerous
D. Delayed
Correct answer: B
3. Grammar
Question: Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.
A. Each firefighter were given a radio
B. Each firefighter was given a radio
C. Each firefighter have been given a radio
D. Each firefighter giving a radio
Correct answer: B
4. Basic Math
A fire station uses 18 oxygen cylinders in 6 days. At the same rate, how many cylinders will it use in 12 days?
A. 24
B. 30
C. 36
D. 42
Correct answer: C
Why:
18 divided by 6 equals 3 cylinders per day
3 times 12 equals 36
5. Numerical Reasoning
A ladder truck travels 150 miles in 3 hours. What is its average speed?
A. 40 miles per hour
B. 45 miles per hour
C. 50 miles per hour
D. 55 miles per hour
Correct answer: C
Why:
150 divided by 3 equals 50
6. Attention to Detail
Which code is different from the others?
A. FT-4821
B. FT-4821
C. FT-4281
D. FT-4821
Correct answer: C
7. Logical Reasoning
All captains are firefighters. Some firefighters are paramedics. Which statement must be true?
A. All paramedics are captains
B. Some captains are paramedics
C. Captains are firefighters
D. No firefighters are paramedics
Correct answer: C
8. Mechanical Reasoning Style Question
A hose is connected to a water source. If the pressure at the source increases and all other conditions stay the same, what will most likely happen?
A. The water flow will decrease
B. The water flow will increase
C. The hose will disappear
D. The temperature will automatically drop
Correct answer: B
9. Situational Judgment
You arrive at the station and notice a piece of equipment appears damaged. What is the best first action?
A. Ignore it because someone else may report it
B. Use it anyway and mention it later
C. Report it according to procedure so it can be checked or replaced
D. Hide it so the team does not get delayed
Correct answer: C
10. Memory and Observation
Study this list for a few seconds:
Helmet, flashlight, gloves, ladder, nozzle
Question: Which item was third on the list?
A. Helmet
B. Gloves
C. Ladder
D. Nozzle
Correct answer: B
CPS Firefighter Test Online Practice
These types of tests are typically used to assess a candidate’s ability to process and interpret information, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.
Gledhill Shaw OS Firefighter Test
Discover all the essential information about the Gledhill Firefighter Test. comprehensive guide provides insights into the test structure, preparation tips, and frequently asked questions (FAQs).
LAFD Firefighter Assessment Practice
A firefighter is a professional responsible for responding to emergencies, such as fires, medical incidents, and natural disasters, in order to protect lives, property
Firefighter interview Q&A
To be a firefighter, you typically need to meet certain education and physical fitness requirements.
Firefighter Practice Test Questions & Answers
Firefighter practice tests are tests that simulate the types of questions and scenarios that individuals may encounter during the firefighter selection process.
Start practice today and improve your hiring chances
