FDNY WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026: FULL-LENGTH PRACTICE TEST
WITH 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS FOR FIRST-TRY SUCCESS
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. A firefighter reads a departmental memo stating: "Effective immediately, all
members shall don full structural PPE before entering any IDLH atmosphere,
regardless of task duration." What is the key operational change conveyed in this
memo?
A) Firefighters may enter an IDLH atmosphere without PPE if the task lasts less than two
minutes
B) IDLH atmospheres are now classified by task duration
C) Full structural PPE is mandatory for any entry into an IDLH atmosphere, no matter
how brief
D) Only the officer needs to wear full PPE in IDLH conditions
Rationale: The memo mandates full PPE for any Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
(IDLH) atmosphere, eliminating any leniency for short tasks. The phrase "regardless of task
duration" specifically closes the loophole for brief entries.
2. Read the following passage: "When forcing entry through a locked outward-opening
door, the firefighter should first try the doorknob and push the door. If it does not open,
use the adz of the Halligan tool to spread the door from the jamb on the lock side."
According to this passage, what is the very first action a firefighter should take?
A) Insert the adz into the gap near the top hinge
B) Strike the door with a flathead axe
,C) Use a hydraulic spreader
D) Try the doorknob and push the door
Rationale: The passage explicitly states to "first try the doorknob and push the door."
Forcing tools are only used if conventional means fail. This principle of trying before forcing
is a fundamental fireground efficiency practice.
3. A fire prevention bulletin describes a new high-rise sprinkler ordinance requiring all
residential buildings over 125 feet tall to have fire pumps that automatically start upon
a 5 psi drop in system pressure. What triggers the pump activation?
A) A drop of 5 psi in the system pressure
B) Manual activation by the building engineer
C) A smoke detector signal in the pump room
D) The sound of a water flow alarm
Rationale: The trigger is a specific pressure drop—5 psi—detected in the system. Fire
pumps activate automatically based on pressure loss. A jockey pump maintains pressure
but does not replace the main pump's start condition.
4. A departmental safety alert warns: "Unprotected lightweight wood trusses can
collapse after only 5 to 7 minutes of fire exposure, well before traditional solid joists."
Why is this information critically important for firefighting operations?
A) It means roof operations are always prohibited on such buildings
B) It demands very rapid assessment and decision-making because collapse risk
occurs much sooner than legacy construction
C) It requires firefighters to use only aerial ladders on these structures
D) It indicates that fire will not spread vertically in these buildings
Rationale: The shortened time to failure demands rapid assessment; firefighters cannot
rely on the longer burn time typical of legacy construction. The alert does not ban roof
operations but changes the operational timing and risk calculus.
5. A firefighter receives the following communication: "Engine 10, you are assigned as
the Rapid Intervention Team. Stage on the Alpha side, ladder and hand tools ready, air
supply full." What is the primary role of this crew?
, A) To advance the initial attack hoseline
B) To rescue trapped or disoriented firefighters
C) To perform ventilation on the fire floor
D) To establish water supply from a hydrant
Rationale: The Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is specifically tasked with firefighter rescue.
The staging instructions (ladder, hand tools, full air) are classic RIT readiness requirements.
RIT does not engage in firefighting unless a member is in distress.
SECTION 2: MATHEMATICAL REASONING AND NUMBER FACILITY
6. A hoseline pressure gauge reads 80 psi. The nozzle requires 50 psi to operate
effectively. The friction loss in the hose is 18 psi, and there is no elevation change.
What should the pump operator do?
A) Increase pump pressure by 12 psi
B) Maintain current pressure
C) Increase pressure to 100 psi
D) Reduce pump pressure by 12 psi
Rationale: Needed pump pressure = Nozzle pressure + Friction loss = 50 + 18 = 68 psi. The
pump is currently delivering 80 psi, so it needs to be reduced by 12 psi. Adding or holding
pressure would over-pressurize the line.
7. A firefighter's SCBA cylinder has a capacity of 45 cubic feet of air when full at 4500
psi. The firefighter consumes about 0.75 cubic feet per minute while resting and 2.5
cubic feet per minute during heavy work. Approximately how long will the cylinder last
during continuous heavy work?
A) 18 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 12 minutes
D) 25 minutes
Rationale: Duration = 45 ft³ ÷ 2.5 ft³/min = 18 minutes. Thirty minutes would be the
duration at rest (45 ÷ 0.75 = 60, not 30). Twelve minutes is too short, and 25 minutes is not
supported by the calculation.
WITH 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS FOR FIRST-TRY SUCCESS
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
1. A firefighter reads a departmental memo stating: "Effective immediately, all
members shall don full structural PPE before entering any IDLH atmosphere,
regardless of task duration." What is the key operational change conveyed in this
memo?
A) Firefighters may enter an IDLH atmosphere without PPE if the task lasts less than two
minutes
B) IDLH atmospheres are now classified by task duration
C) Full structural PPE is mandatory for any entry into an IDLH atmosphere, no matter
how brief
D) Only the officer needs to wear full PPE in IDLH conditions
Rationale: The memo mandates full PPE for any Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
(IDLH) atmosphere, eliminating any leniency for short tasks. The phrase "regardless of task
duration" specifically closes the loophole for brief entries.
2. Read the following passage: "When forcing entry through a locked outward-opening
door, the firefighter should first try the doorknob and push the door. If it does not open,
use the adz of the Halligan tool to spread the door from the jamb on the lock side."
According to this passage, what is the very first action a firefighter should take?
A) Insert the adz into the gap near the top hinge
B) Strike the door with a flathead axe
,C) Use a hydraulic spreader
D) Try the doorknob and push the door
Rationale: The passage explicitly states to "first try the doorknob and push the door."
Forcing tools are only used if conventional means fail. This principle of trying before forcing
is a fundamental fireground efficiency practice.
3. A fire prevention bulletin describes a new high-rise sprinkler ordinance requiring all
residential buildings over 125 feet tall to have fire pumps that automatically start upon
a 5 psi drop in system pressure. What triggers the pump activation?
A) A drop of 5 psi in the system pressure
B) Manual activation by the building engineer
C) A smoke detector signal in the pump room
D) The sound of a water flow alarm
Rationale: The trigger is a specific pressure drop—5 psi—detected in the system. Fire
pumps activate automatically based on pressure loss. A jockey pump maintains pressure
but does not replace the main pump's start condition.
4. A departmental safety alert warns: "Unprotected lightweight wood trusses can
collapse after only 5 to 7 minutes of fire exposure, well before traditional solid joists."
Why is this information critically important for firefighting operations?
A) It means roof operations are always prohibited on such buildings
B) It demands very rapid assessment and decision-making because collapse risk
occurs much sooner than legacy construction
C) It requires firefighters to use only aerial ladders on these structures
D) It indicates that fire will not spread vertically in these buildings
Rationale: The shortened time to failure demands rapid assessment; firefighters cannot
rely on the longer burn time typical of legacy construction. The alert does not ban roof
operations but changes the operational timing and risk calculus.
5. A firefighter receives the following communication: "Engine 10, you are assigned as
the Rapid Intervention Team. Stage on the Alpha side, ladder and hand tools ready, air
supply full." What is the primary role of this crew?
, A) To advance the initial attack hoseline
B) To rescue trapped or disoriented firefighters
C) To perform ventilation on the fire floor
D) To establish water supply from a hydrant
Rationale: The Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is specifically tasked with firefighter rescue.
The staging instructions (ladder, hand tools, full air) are classic RIT readiness requirements.
RIT does not engage in firefighting unless a member is in distress.
SECTION 2: MATHEMATICAL REASONING AND NUMBER FACILITY
6. A hoseline pressure gauge reads 80 psi. The nozzle requires 50 psi to operate
effectively. The friction loss in the hose is 18 psi, and there is no elevation change.
What should the pump operator do?
A) Increase pump pressure by 12 psi
B) Maintain current pressure
C) Increase pressure to 100 psi
D) Reduce pump pressure by 12 psi
Rationale: Needed pump pressure = Nozzle pressure + Friction loss = 50 + 18 = 68 psi. The
pump is currently delivering 80 psi, so it needs to be reduced by 12 psi. Adding or holding
pressure would over-pressurize the line.
7. A firefighter's SCBA cylinder has a capacity of 45 cubic feet of air when full at 4500
psi. The firefighter consumes about 0.75 cubic feet per minute while resting and 2.5
cubic feet per minute during heavy work. Approximately how long will the cylinder last
during continuous heavy work?
A) 18 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 12 minutes
D) 25 minutes
Rationale: Duration = 45 ft³ ÷ 2.5 ft³/min = 18 minutes. Thirty minutes would be the
duration at rest (45 ÷ 0.75 = 60, not 30). Twelve minutes is too short, and 25 minutes is not
supported by the calculation.
