TESTING PROCESS
First is the application period. All applications must be turned in on time, and all requirements met. Then is the Aptitude test/Written & math exam. These test typically take 2 to 3 hours to complete and consist of 100 to 300 questions. Most departments require a 70% or higher score to move on to the Physical Ability Test. Firefighting is a physically demanding profession. A physical ability test is used to identify candidates who meet the basic physical requirements for the job. The physical ability is a pass/fail test. A series of physical tasks are performed. The tasks are determined by specific job requirements that are required of a firefighter on the fire ground. Applicants will wear a helmet, turnout coat, gloves, AND breathing apparatus. The test is timed and candidates must complete the course within the established time standard. Usually a pass/fail is given. If you pass you will then move onto the Interview Panel and Chiefs interview.
WHAT YOU MUST KNOW TO KEEP GOING
Testing is a hard, frustrating and some times a depressing process. Even if you're good there are some test with a 100% fail rate. Because of lawsuits, budget cuts, hiring freezes, and who knows what other outside influences, there might not be one person hired off of the list. Taking promotional exams can be just as frustrating.

Because the nature of this business of getting hired is so trying, you need to do some things to take care of your attitude. You exercise your body physically. You keep your mind sharp. Do the same with your frame of mind. The thing that will help you the most is to be successful. It may sound obvious, but if you know you have done everything you can to prepare for your test, you can look forward to the oral interview. It's difficult, at times, to deal with the let down. We will all be disappointed from time to time. But people don't remember you for what happens to you, they remember how you reacted to the things that happened to you. So keep up your chin and understand that you'll never know why they hire or promote the people they do. But, it's not a reflection on you personally.

TEST TAKING STRATEGY FOR MEMORIZATION
The S P A C E Technique "S" Select key information. You probably do not have enough time to memorize every word. Memorize what seems to be important. Memorization questions will focus on what would be important in a real job situation. For instance, at a fire scene the number of firefighters on the scene, number of firefighter apparatus, number of hose lines going into a building, direction of wind, address and street location of the incident, location of the fire (what floor, what section of the building) are important.

"P" Picture things and events and persons in your mind. Close your eyes for a few seconds and form a mental picture of things, people or events which are being described. The brain works more efficiently with pictures than with words. If you are memorizing some kind of scene, imagine yourself taking a walk through it from one end to the other.

"A" Arrange things and events in some order in your mind. Information which is grouped in some way or in some order is easier to remember. Count things, e.g., 5 firefighters, 3 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, 4 hose lines. For picture material, draw two mental lines through the picture to divide it into quarters, then note what is in each quarter. Notice what is next to what, what is above or below.

"C" Compare things. For a picture or diagram, compare the contents of each quarter of the drawing. If there are several items you may have to distinguish from one another (like rooms in a floor plan, or faces or diagrams of two different pieces of equipment) compare them to one another as you are memorizing. Making comparisons helps you become more conscious of details.

"E" Exercise your memory. Go back to a section of a picture you already memorized. Repeat items to yourself. Then go back and repeat them again.

Technique: Test your memory continuously. As you memorize more information, keep checking that you remember what you already worked on. You can test yourself by asking over and over something like the 4 W's if it is a story: Who? What? When? Where? If it is not a story, you may be asking yourself: What? Where? How many? During the Memorization part of the exam you will not be permitted to have a pencil in your hand. Use your finger to assist you in remembering. Use your finger to circle, trace, underline, poke at, or emphasize in any way the important details. Information in picture form should be literally traced with your finger. With a floor plan or diagram of a building layout, "walk through" it with your finger, taking note of important items. Finger work will reinforce what your eyes see. Courtesy of: FirePrep: Don McNea Fire School, 13917 Cleveland, OH 44136 Web: www.fireprep.com

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WRITEN EXAM
Written examinations are usually given by a neutral third party other than the fire department that will be hiring. The written examination generally takes approximately 1-3 hours and includes questions on: Reading comprehension, Basic mathematics, Basic science, Mechanical aptitude, and Communication skills. The amount of fire service knowledge depends on the department. Passing scores are generally 70-80%, however successful candidates are generally in the 95% plus range. If a candidate has served active duty in the armed forces and has been discharged under honorable conditions, they might be eligible for veteran's preference points. These points are generally added to the final score.

Are you having problems with math, mechanical aptitude, or word comprehension? Try contacting your community college for tutoring. For the math portion, you only need to know about twelve formulas. Once you have the formulas down, just plug in the numbers or convert the word problems into the formula. For mechanical aptitude, use the ARCO Mechanical Aptitude & Spatial Relations book. Of all the books out there candidates tell us the Firefighter Entrance Hand Book is the best. Try this approach. Instead of taking the sample tests in the written test books cold, go to the answers in the back and go through the first time with the answers. Then you'll know what they are looking for in the answers. It will cut your learning time. There are only so many ways they can ask a question on the same topic. You will get to the point where you can look at a question and go right to the answer.
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