NYS Firefighter Exam Online Preparation – 2025
What Is the NYS Firefighter Exam?
The New York State Firefighter exam was created by the New York State Department of Civil Service. They are responsible for developing and administering exams in all fields of civil service and public safety in the state of New York. The NYS Firefighter exam is just one part of the process of becoming a firefighter in New York. It is used by fire departments throughout the state in conjunction with the Candidate Physical Ability Test.
Taking The NYS Firefighter Civil Service Exam
The NYS Firefighter Exam is usually computer-based, some departments still prefer paper and pencil tests. You are allotted 4 hours in which to complete the multiple-choice test. Although the test is utilized by fire departments across the state of New York, there are some variations in the test content depending on which municipality you have applied in. The NYS Firefighter Exams are standardized to test firefighter applicants in 4 different skills, even though some questions may differ:
Ability to Learn and Apply Information
This portion of the test starts with a written training lesson. All candidates will be given a set amount of time to read the lesson manual before the test begins. The questions in this test section all refer back to the information provided in the written lesson. You are allowed to refer back to the manual while taking the test. All the information you need for this part of the test is contained in the training lesson material. You do not need to have prior knowledge or experience before taking this test.
Basic Arithmetic
This is a standard mathematics test. It tests your aptitude for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and working with tables. You are allowed to bring a calculator, but you may not use the calculator on your cell phone.
Reading Comprehension
Here, you will be given short passages to read. These passages are followed by multiple-choice questions. The information you need to answer the questions is contained in the paragraphs. You may need to make inferences or draw conclusions based on what you have read to answer these questions.
Situational Judgment Test
These questions focus on your decision-making skills, as well as giving insight into your character and work ethic. You will be given different scenarios that you may encounter while performing your job. These will be followed by several actions you can take. You will need to rank each response based on how effective you feel it would be. It is possible to give multiple options the same rating if you feel there are several options that would be effective in the given scenario.
How to Prepare for the NYS Firefighter Exam?
If you are applying for a position as a firefighter in New York State, once you have registered for the exam, you will be provided with a study guide. The study guide will provide sample questions so you can familiarize yourself with the test format. Once you know what to expect, it is easier to prepare for what you will find on the test.
Practice your reading comprehension by writing questions prior to reading an article or a chapter in a book, or use the review questions in one of your old textbooks. Calculators are allowed, but practicing answering basic arithmetic problems in your head or by writing them out is beneficial to your speed and accuracy.
Be sure to pay attention to the guidelines laid out in any materials supplied by your fire department. Something as simple as forgetting your phone is in your pocket on test day could disqualify you before the test has even started.
