National Firefighter Selection
Test Study Guide With
Answers Focus On Your
Success
Preparing for the NFST:
Ideas for pre-test activities that will help you get the best possible score on the written exam,
getting Physically Ready for the Test Day
-Avoid ALL junk food.
- Avoid my sleep-induced medication. It can cause you to feel drowsy during your test.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before the test.
-Do not drink plenty of liquids or eat any big meals before you go to your testing location.
- Avoid alcohol several days before your test as well as the day of.
About the NFST
Details about the test's content, the time allowed for each section, and the proper response
recording method. There are three distinct timed sections on this test.
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 the 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 begins:
•Arrive about 45 minutes 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 administrator.
•Ask questions if you're unclear about anything
Test-Taking Strategies
While taking the test:
•when taking the test, mentally 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, and 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, and eliminate the first two that
you feel are not the answer. When you have the last two answer, choices, go with your gut. Do
you not second-guess yourself?
Test Study Guide With
Answers Focus On Your
Success
Preparing for the NFST:
Ideas for pre-test activities that will help you get the best possible score on the written exam,
getting Physically Ready for the Test Day
-Avoid ALL junk food.
- Avoid my sleep-induced medication. It can cause you to feel drowsy during your test.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before the test.
-Do not drink plenty of liquids or eat any big meals before you go to your testing location.
- Avoid alcohol several days before your test as well as the day of.
About the NFST
Details about the test's content, the time allowed for each section, and the proper response
recording method. There are three distinct timed sections on this test.
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 the 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 begins:
•Arrive about 45 minutes 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 administrator.
•Ask questions if you're unclear about anything
Test-Taking Strategies
While taking the test:
•when taking the test, mentally 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, and 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, and eliminate the first two that
you feel are not the answer. When you have the last two answer, choices, go with your gut. Do
you not second-guess yourself?
