Firefighter exam practice test: free written exam questions
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Practise for an entry-level firefighter written exam with original questions in the areas these exams test: reading comprehension, math (pump and hose flow, percentages, area and volume), mechanical reasoning with levers, pulleys and gears, directions and map reading, and situational judgment and teamwork. Start with 5 free questions, then take two timed tests of 60 questions in 60 minutes, with an explanation for every answer and your score per area. The physical ability test (such as the CPAT) is separate and not practised here.
- 5 free questions
- 2 timed tests, 120 questions
- 60 questions in 60 minutes
- Score in 5 areas
- Practice certificate PDF
How many questions are on the firefighter exam?
There is no single national firefighter exam. Each city, county or state civil service agency chooses its own written test, so the number of questions, the time and the passing score depend on where you apply. Examples from official sources:
| Exam | Format | Fee and scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts municipal firefighter (HRD, 2026) | Written Ability Test (about 48 multiple-choice questions in HRD's preparation guide), Life Experience Survey and Work Styles Questionnaire; written period 2 to 10 October 2026 | $75 for the written exam and the physical test (ELPAT). Written exam 50% and ELPAT 50% of the score; 70 or higher needed on the ability test before the rest is scored |
| FDNY Firefighter, Exam No. 4044 (NYC DCAS) | Multiple-choice computer-based test: reading, listening, problem solving, basic arithmetic and how you approach work | $30 application fee; a passing score is required (no number published); CPAT pass/fail, $25 |
| FireTEAM (Ergometrics, given by many departments through National Testing Network) | Video human relations test 76 questions in 57 minutes, mechanical aptitude 36 in 43 minutes, math 31 in 25 minutes, reading 25 to 27 in 15 minutes | Pass marks set by each department |
Sources: Massachusetts HRD 2026 municipal firefighter exam poster and firefighter written exam preparation guide; NYC DCAS notice of examination No. 4044 (fourth amended notice, 4 June 2025); Ergometrics FireTEAM candidate handout published by the Madison Fire Department. Checked 28 October 2026. Always read the notice of examination of the department you apply to.
What is on the firefighter written exam?
Entry-level exams measure aptitude, not fire science: you are not expected to know firefighting before you are hired. The areas named in the official material above are reading and written comprehension, basic math, mechanical reasoning, problem sensitivity and reasoning, information ordering, and how you deal with people and work in a team. MyLevel splits each 60-question test into five areas:
| Area | What you practise | Per MyLevel test |
|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | Short department rules and notices: facts, exceptions, main idea, word meaning | 12 |
| Math | Pump and hose flow (gallons, minutes), percentages, averages, fractions, area and volume | 12 |
| Mechanical reasoning | Levers, pulleys, gears, ramps, hydraulics and pressure, described in words | 12 |
| Directions and map reading | Headings after turns, city grids, floor plans and exit routes | 10 |
| Situational judgment and teamwork | Safety, honesty, the chain of command, the public and your crew | 14 |
This split is MyLevel's own, not an official weighting. Video-based and personality parts (such as the FireTEAM video test or the Massachusetts Life Experience Survey and Work Styles Questionnaire) cannot be practised with right answers and are not included.
What you practise on MyLevel
Every MyLevel question is an original practice question with one correct answer, three wrong ones and a short explanation. All mechanical questions are in text, without pictures. Calculations (tank and flow times, hose lengths, percentages, area and volume in gallons, lever forces, gear speeds and pulley pulls) and the direction questions were re-solved by script. The two full tests have 60 questions in 60 minutes each: a MyLevel timer, close to the pace of the FireTEAM mechanical, math and reading parts (about 50 to 56 seconds per question). After each test you see your score per area, so you know what to study next.
Two timed tests cost $9.99, a one-time payment with no subscription and no time limit, and the pack also unlocks every other MyLevel job test. Not useful? Full refund within 14 days.
How to pass the firefighter written exam
- Read the notice of examination first: it gives the test parts, the fee, the dates, age limits and how the final score is made. In Massachusetts the written exam is half of the score and the physical test the other half; in New York City the CPAT is pass/fail.
- Practise math without a calculator: rate x time = amount, amount / rate = time, and length x width x depth for volume.
- Learn the three mechanical rules: force x distance on a lever, opposite turning of meshed gears, and pull = load divided by the supporting rope sections.
- Track direction after every turn and sketch grids and floor plans on scrap paper.
- For judgment questions, pick the answer that deals with a safety problem now, is honest and keeps your officer informed.
- Train under time: take a full MyLevel test, read every explanation you missed, study your weakest area and retake. Aim for 70% or more in every area, and higher to rank well on a hiring list.
- Prepare for the physical test separately: the CPAT has 8 events to finish within 10 minutes 20 seconds wearing a 50-pound vest (City of Phoenix).
MyLevel is independent and not affiliated with, or endorsed by, National Testing Network, Ergometrics, the FDNY, NYC DCAS, the Massachusetts Human Resources Division, EB Jacobs, the IAFF or any city, county, fire department or civil service agency. All questions are original practice questions written by MyLevel, not real exam questions. A practice score is not an exam result and does not put you on a hiring list.
Sample question with explanation
During a training drill, you notice that a fellow probationary firefighter has not connected the regulator of his breathing apparatus. The instructor has not seen it. What should you do?
- Tell him at once so he can fix it
- Report him to the captain after the drill
- Say nothing; the instructor will catch it
- Fix it yourself without saying anything
Show the answer
Answer: A. Tell him at once so he can fix it
Safety comes first and a quick word lets him fix it before he is harmed. Saying nothing or waiting puts him at risk.
Frequently asked questions
Is this firefighter exam practice test free?
Yes, you can start with 5 free questions with explanations, one from each of the five areas. Two full timed tests of 60 questions cost $9.99 once, with no subscription.
How many questions are on the firefighter exam?
It depends on the department. The FireTEAM test has a 76-question video part, 36 mechanical, 31 math and 25 to 27 reading questions (Ergometrics handout), and the Massachusetts Written Ability Test has about 48 multiple-choice questions (HRD preparation guide). Check the notice of examination where you apply.
What score do you need to pass the firefighter written exam?
Each agency sets its own. In Massachusetts you need 70 or higher on the Written Ability Test (HRD preparation guide), and the FDNY requires a passing score without publishing a number (NYC DCAS Exam No. 4044). Many lists are ranked by score, so aim higher than the minimum.
Is the firefighter civil service exam hard?
The questions test reading, basic math, mechanical sense and judgment, not firefighting knowledge, but the time is tight and hiring lists are ranked. Practising under time and reviewing every explanation you missed is the best preparation.
Is the CPAT physical test part of this practice test?
No. The CPAT and other physical ability tests are separate: the CPAT has 8 events to finish within 10 minutes 20 seconds in a 50-pound vest (City of Phoenix). MyLevel practises only the written exam.
Can I unlock only this test?
There is one option, so you never have to choose: the $9.99 job pack, one time. It unlocks the 2 full tests on this page and every other MyLevel job test, with no subscription and a full refund within 14 days if it does not help you.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. After a full practice test you can download a MyLevel practice certificate (PDF) with your score. It is a personal record of your practice, not an official document and not an exam result.
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