National Firefighter Selection Test Study Guide 2024.

Preparing for the NFST: - Suggestions for things to do prior to testing to help you achieve your highest possible score on the written exam Preparing Yourself Physically for Testing Day - -Avoid ALL junk food. - Avoid my sleep induced medication. It can cause you to feel drowsy during your test. - Get a good nights sleep the night before the test. -Do not drink a lot of liquids or eat any big meals before you go to your testing location. - Avould alcohol several days prior to your test as well as the day of. About the NFST - Information about the content of the test, the time limits for each section of the test, and the proper method for recording your answers. This test has THREE different TIMED sections. - Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics. Each answer will be either multiple choice or true or false. Reading comprehension: - 25 minutes. 25 questions. Mathematics. - 25 questions. 25 minutes. Listening Comprehension - 20 minutes. 20 questions. Marking your answers. Your test will be scored either computer based or hand scored. - Hand scored test booklets: •Use a pen. •Make sure when you bubble in your answer it fills in the entire bubble. •If you want to change your answer mark an X through your previously shaded bubble and bubble in your other answer choice. Computer Scored Test Booklets: - •Use a #2 pencil. Not ink. ••Make sure your bubble is completely shaded. Completely erase marks you wish to change. •Make sure you only bubble one answer because if you mark two it counts as incorrect. Test Taking Strategies - Before the test beggins: •Arrive about 45 min before the test begins. To ensure you are ready. •Go to the bathroom before the test is handed out. •If you feel anxious take deep breaths •TURN YOUR PHONE OFF •Pay attention to the test administratior. •Ask questions if you're unclear about anything Test Taking Strategies - While taking the test: •when taking the test, make a mental note when each section will be over. The test administrator will tell you how long you have for each section so if you start at say 3 o'clock, make a mental note that the section is 20 minutes long, you will end at 3:20. This helps pace yourself. • Make sure you answer every question do not skip a question. • if you are unsure of a question, eliminate the answer choices, eliminate first two that you feel are absolutely not the answer. When you have the last two answer choices go with your gut. Do you not second guess yourself. • if you finish early go back and check your answers. Do not go to any other section then the one that you were on. You were only allowed to check your answers in the section that you are testing in at that time. • Make sure you stop working when the time is up. Do not flip through the booklet, or go back to any other sections when the time is up for your pencil or pen down and wait for the test administrator to give you further instructions. Sample test questions - Section 1: listening comprehension When taking the section of this test, someone will read out loud a passage. During that passage you will take notes on a piece of paper that is provided in your test booklet. Make sure to listen early to everything that has been said about the passage. Take notes on anything that you might consider valuable information. Later on you will then be asked questions and multiple-choice and or true or false setting. You are a loud to refer back to your notes in this time. - Sample Listening Passage (Have someone read this passage to you as you take notes.) Last year, more than 17,000 hazardous materials incidents occurred in transit on our nation's roads, accounting for 85% of all haz-mat incidents. The first responder who can recognize certain characteristics of the cargo container and its contents will have an advantage in the initial decision-making to bring the incident under control. Atmospheric pressure cargo tanks are easily identified by their elliptical shape and flat ends. The most common of all road trailers, they typically haul petroleum products and have a 9,000 gallon capacity which is loaded in the rear of the tanker. Low-pressure cargo tanks transport flammable, combustible liquids; mild corrosives; and poisons and have a 7,000 gallon capacity. These cargo tanks have a circular shape, stiffening rings and top-center loading domes.