If you think you got what it takes to be a firefighter, all there is between yourself and reaching this goal is writing and passing the aptitude test. Passing this test well is paramount to getting a job as a firefighter within your local firefighting department. There is a lot more involved in this test than just knowledge about the job and industry. Instead, your aptitude is tested to the limits in pursuit of finding out if you are cut out for this job. Learn more about how to prepare and practice for the firefighter test.
What resources can help you prepare?
To prepare and practice for the firefighter test, you need to have a solid knowledge base to refer to and build applicable reasoning skills from it. The test is structured in a way to test your general knowledge about skills pertinent to firefighting. Therefore, knowledge is wealth, and preparing beforehand is very important.
Books authored by experts
An excellent way to gain some insights on the firefighter exam and more information regarding firefighting, in general, is by reading books authored by experts. There are countless experienced firefighters that authored books that assist candidates in making it through the exam. You can download these books as an eBook or get the actual hard copy to expand your knowledge on firefighting.
Firefighter practice test
Undoubtedly, doing the firefighter practice test goes a long way to ensuring that you improve your score. This test gives you further insights into what to expect and how to respond to the questions provided. Understanding the firefighter test questions can help you understand what sort of answers to prepare as well as its difficulty.
Online forums
There are a lot of online forums full of firefighters that discuss subject matter pertinent to the job. Some of these forum chats are dedicated to answering candidate questions as best as expert firefighters can comment. This might be the perfect online hangout for you are you’re preparing to write the test. If any question crosses your mind, just shoot, and you will get some expert opinions regarding it.
Practical experience
Practical experience can also provide you with a wealth of knowledge that you can use in answering the firefighter exam. If you do not have any experience fighting fires, perhaps visiting the local station might be a great idea. Explain to those in the chain of command that you are writing the test soon, and they might help you understand the assessment fully.
Skills to improve on before writing the firefighter test
The firefighter test assesses all candidates using standardized cognitive and mental aptitude exercises to try and ascertain your chain of thought. When doing the firefighter test, they would like to assess some important skills that come in handy once you have got the job. What are some of these skills?
Spatial awareness
First and foremost, spatial awareness is very important when responding to a fire call. This is because they use maps and cardinal points to try and navigate large buildings. Therefore, maintaining your spatial awareness and surroundings can help when you get lost inside a building filled with thick smoke.
Improve your memory span
Improving your visual and verbal memory goes a long way when carrying out orders and memorizing the place. You can use techniques such as paraphrasing and repeat back information for your sake. For example, if you see something, repeat it back to yourself. During the exam, you will be given images that need to be memorized. Repeating back what you said can help improve your memory span.
Expose yourself to mechanical systems
There might be questions within the firefighter written test that attempt to ascertain your general understanding of mechanical systems. Therefore, try to expose yourself to mechanical systems such as hydraulic lifting equipment. Additionally, work on understanding fire hydrant systems as well as hose lines. Exposure to these mechanical systems can help in the exam.
Observational reasoning
Making sense of information on the field can help with making good lifesaving decisions. By observing the surroundings with the intention to make a judgment call, you can save some lives as a firefighter. This is why these skills need to be tested by asking questions that assess your observational reasoning.
