Firefighter and EMT Exam Testing Strategies

Exam Strategies

Many applicants are going into examinations not realizing that test-taking strategies are one of the most important aspects of the entire testing process. With competition so tough in today’s entry-level testing process, one or two questions can make the difference between becoming a firefighter and not. Listed below are some of our top-scoring test-taking strategies that you should review every time you take an examination until they are second nature to you.

A. When taking a test read the directions very carefully or listen closely to the moderator or instructor. If at any time you are unsure of the directions, ask for assistance. Tests differ from one section to the next. You should pay close attention to the instructions for these types of examinations.

B. Before you begin, make sure you have all the pages in the examination. In most examinations you will be told the number of pages in your booklet; check to make certain that you have all the pages or sections. If any page is missing, immediately raise your hand and inform the test monitor.

C. Make sure that you are marking the right answer to the right question. All it takes is skipping one question and not skipping the corresponding number on the answer sheet, to cost you the examination. Every five questions or so, it is a good idea to take a look at the number in the test booklet and the number on your answer key to insure they match. Also pay strict attention to whether the answer key numbers are vertical or horizontal. You don't want to find out that you have been answering the questions on the wrong numbers.

D. When marking your answers, make sure that you mark only one answer for each question. Do not make exceedingly large markings on your answer sheet; most of these examinations are graded by computer. If the marking is too close to another marking, it will be double keyed and you will lose credit for that question.

E. If you come across a question during the examination that you find difficult and you are spending too much time on it, skip over the question and leave a mark on your answer key. Do not mark in the area where you will be answering; mark to the left of the number so that you know to come back to this number. It is also a good idea, if you are allowed to mark in your test booklet, to mark out choices you have eliminated as being incorrect. This allows you, when you come back at the end of the test, to go back to only the choices remaining when you are seeking the best answer. If you come across a question on the examination that you find difficult, don't allow any more than two minutes on the question. If you don't know the answer, mark it, skip it, and return to it after you have completed the remainder of the test.

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F. Check the time during the examination. For example, if there is a 200 question test and a three hour time limit, you should be on question 100 with 1-1/2 hours left. You should check the remaining time every 10-15 minutes to ensure you are on an appropriate time frame.

G. Do not change answers unless you are absolutely positive. Time after time, studies have shown that when you change answers, 75-80% of the time you change it to a wrong answer. The only time you should change an answer is if you are absolutely positive or if you have miskeyed an answer.

H. Don’t be afraid to guess at an answer. Most firefighter examinations are scored based on the number of correct answers. On most examinations, there is no penalty for a wrong answer. If you have three minutes remaining on the examination and 15 questions to answer, try to answer as many as possible, but if time does not allow, at least put an answer down for every question.

Having Trouble with the Written?

Evaluate yourself, are you having problems with math, mechanical aptitude, or word comprehension? A great and affordable idea is to contact your local community college for tutoring.

For math, you only need to know about twelve formulas. Once you have the formulas down, you just plug in the numbers or convert the word math problems into the formula.

For mechanical aptitude, the ARCO Mech. Aptitude & Spatial Relations book will give you more than you will ever need.

Of all the books out there candidates tell us the Firefighter Entrance Hand Book is the best. Once you gorilla your way through these 279 pages, your score will be higher.

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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Firefighter Exam Practice - Test Your Skills

Bryan Hurley E-mail: bryan_hurley@yahoo.com start: 0000-00-00 end: 0000-00-00