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)
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.
