Firefighter Entrance Level Examination - Pre-Examination Booklet - Revised 07/2021

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Sarah

Pre-examination booklet for the Firefighter entrance level civil service examination, prepared by the Office of State Examiner’s Municipal Fire and Police testing division. Explains key steps toward taking the exam, the two test parts, timing, and arrival requirements for the recorded recall section. Details the 77-question multiple-choice exam, including the eight subject areas and their written-test percentages, plus guidance and sample-question style topics across those sections.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages54

Reading Time2 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Brief Description of the Test

Recall Portion

Multiple-Choice Written Examination

Subject Areas

Basic Information

Maps and Diagrams

Problem Solving

Mechanical Aptitude

Prioritization

Grammar and Communication Skills

Math and Reasoning

Reading Comprehension

DO NOT BRING THIS BOOKLET TO THE EXAM SITE PRE-EXAMINATION BOOKLET FOR FIREFIGHTER ENTRANCE LEVEL EXAMINATION Prepared by the Office of State Examiner Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Testing and System Services Division Revised 07/2021 INTRODUCTION One of the first steps toward becoming a firefighter is successfully passing a civil service examination which is administered by the Office of State Examiner for Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service. This booklet will provide you with important information about the examination process, helpful hints on taking tests, and sample questions that are similar to those on the Firefighter examination. You do not need to have a previous knowledge of firefighting in order to pass this examination. The test has been designed to evaluate knowledge, skills, and abilities that are needed to successfully complete firefighter training. For example, in order to successfully complete firefighter training, you must be able to read and comprehend material on firefighting procedures. Therefore, part of the written examination contains a section of questions on reading comprehension based on material similar to that which must be read on the job. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST The Firefighter Test consists of two parts: a test in recalling printed and spoken information and a multiple-choice written examination. Because of the hazardous nature of the job, firefighters must be able to comprehend and retain precise details even during highly charged or intense situations. The recall portion of the exam has been designed to determine how well you are able to listen to and/or observe situations where you will later be required to remember and relay information. This part of the examination will take approximately thirty minutes. Because this portion of the exam consists of recorded material , it is very important that you arrive at the exam site at least 15 minutes before the exam starting time. You will not be admitted to the exam once the examination begins . The second part of the exam for firefighter is a multiple-choice test consisting of 77 questions which are divided into eight subject areas: basic information , maps and diagrams, problem solving, mechanical aptitude, prioritization, grammar and communication skills, math and reasoning, and reading comprehension. You will have one hour and forty-five minutes in which to complete this part of the examination. | SUBJECT AREA | PERCENTAGE OF
WRITTEN TEST | | --- | --- | | BASIC INFORMATION
MAPS AND DIAGRAMS
PROBLEM SOLVING
MECHANICAL APTITUDE
PRIORITIZATION
GRAMMAR AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
MATH AND REASONING
READING COMPREHENSION | 12%
14%
9%
13%
7%
13%
13%
19% | | TOTAL | 100% | BASIC INFORMATION This section is designed to evaluate your ability to recognize common terms and to assess your decision-making ability in the most basic of situations. MAPS AND DIAGRAMS A firefighter must have the ability to read street maps and simple diagrams in order to find a location and the best route to the location. The questions in this section require you evaluate information presented in a map or diagram, and to make decisions based upon this evaluation. When a map is involved, remember the following guidelines: All traffic laws must be observed. Always choose the most direct route. North is indicated by a legend on the map. When a diagram of a dwelling or building is involved, all necessary information is included, either on the diagram itself or in a legend accompanying it. PROBLEM SOLVING A firefighter must have the ability to analyze information (determine relationships between items or to recognize patterns) in order to identify problems and appropriate solutions. Each question in this section consists of a series of three different but related figures. You should determine how these figures are related and then decide which figure should be next (fourth) in the seri

FAQs

What are the two parts of the Firefighter entrance level exam?

The Firefighter test includes a recall portion of recorded printed and spoken information, and a multiple-choice written examination.

How long is each part of the exam and when should you arrive?

The recall portion takes about thirty minutes and you must arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time because admission is not allowed once the exam begins.

How many multiple-choice questions are in the written portion and how is it divided?

The written portion has 77 multiple-choice questions divided into eight subject areas: basic information, maps and diagrams, problem solving, mechanical aptitude, prioritization, grammar and communication skills, math and reasoning, and reading comprehension.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Sarah