The written examination is the first test administered. A passing score on the written exam is 70%. Please plan on at least 3.5-4 hours to complete the exam. 

Please review the In-Home Testing Requirements to determine that you can meet the testing requirements before registering for an Online In-Home Test Event.  

Your devices must meet the following requirements for testing:

The Firefighter Selection Tool (FST™) was designed to measure numerous areas that are related to successful performance as a firefighter. Specifically, the FST™ contains questions covering two broad areas: cognitive abilities and non-cognitive traits. It is important to note that the FST™ does not measure job-specific knowledge or any specific skills that require specialized training. You will not need any specific firefighting knowledge or skills to succeed on the FST™.

In order to better familiarize you with the diversity of questions, you will experience in the cognitive section of the FST™, the following table will describe each cognitive ability area and the manner in which it might be demonstrated on the job.

• Deductive Reasoning: Deductive reasoning is the ability to apply rules and principles to make decisions about what to expect from a specific situation. During training, firefighters learn about basic principles of physics and chemistry. They often apply these principles on the job.
• Mathematical Reasoning: Mathematical reasoning is a combination of the ability to perform basic arithmetic and the ability to choose the proper arithmetic formulas based on a specific situation. Firefighters use mathematical reasoning to estimate how many hose sections are required to span a distance and estimate proper ladder lengths, among other things.
• Inductive Reasoning: Inductive reasoning is the ability to combine specific pieces of information to arrive at a conclusion about what the causal relationship is between those pieces of information and the resulting outcome. Firefighters frequently exercise this ability when they take in multiple pieces of information and then make decisions about how to react to a scenario based on that information.
• Information Ordering: Information ordering is the ability to identify the best or proper order of given actions or steps. This ability is fundamental to understanding the proper order of steps in performing a specific task safely. Firefighters are trained to perform complex tasks that require properly ordering steps. Raising ladders, deploying hose line, ventilating roofs and responding to hazardous materials are examples of some of the tasks that require the firefighter to properly follow a set sequence of steps.
• Spatial Orientation: Spatial orientation is the ability to understand how to navigate within spaces or how to get from one point to another. Firefighters require this ability to travel from the fire station to the emergency scene, but also to navigate in and out of a building that is obscured by smoke and fire.
• Visualization: Visualization is the ability to imagine how one object will impact another or how something will look after it is manipulated or rearranged. In order to understand how a fire engine’s pump operates, how to use tools effectively or how complex firefighting equipment is used to achieve its objective, visualization skills are required. Visualization is not to be confused with mechanical reasoning. While related, mechanical reasoning requires a knowledge of how machines and tools operate; including an understanding of principles such as leverage, inertia, weight, torsion, etc.
• Written Comprehension: Written comprehension is simply the ability to read the English language and understand what is being communicated. This involves an understanding of vocabulary, grammatical structure, punctuation and literary style. Firefighters are required to read and understand a vast amount of training materials and are confronted with on-going professional training throughout their career that is presented in a written format. Firefighters also have to read and understand policies, directives and tactical plans.
• Written Expression: Written expression is the ability to communicate intended thoughts using the English language. This ability requires an understanding of vocabulary, grammatical structure, punctuation, and syntax. Firefighters are responsible for writing incident reports and communicating information through logs and records; therefore, firefighters must be able to communicate intelligently and professionally via the written word. It is necessary to understand how to spell common words, properly use and pair parts of language (e.g., nouns, verbs, articles, etc.), punctuate sentences properly, and compose meaningful sentences.
• Non-Cognitive Traits: These fall into two main categories: work styles (personality) and biographical data. Your predisposition to respond to people and situations in a given way is your style or personality. These traits have been developed in you over a long period of time and are considered to be very stable. Your biographical experiences are those experiences in your life that result from your abilities, interests, and personality.

STUDY MATERIALS

Introductory Test Guide
Once you pay for your test registration, an Introductory Test Guide for the written examination will be placed in your PST account. This guide will provide additional information about the examination's structure, test-taking tips, and the rules for test administration, along with other rules and requirements you should be familiar with. Please review this Guide before your test date!

Additional Study Materials
We recommend the FST Combo: Study Guide and Practice Test Form A, which includes a study guide and a practice test with answer key developed specifically for the FST by the test developer. This product, and more, is available for purchase in our online store.

• The CPAT administered by PST is the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Candidate Physical Ability Test© (CPAT).
• Many fire departments that contract with PST require the PST CPAT. There are also departments that will accept any verifiable CPAT. It is your responsibility to carefully read each of the department’s profiles to ensure you meet each of their CPAT requirements. If the agency profile is silent on the CPAT requirement, then the PST CPAT is required.
• CPATs will be offered on a regular basis – multiple times per month at our CPAT Testing & Training Center in Tukwila, WA and periodically at our CPAT Center in Spokane, WA.
• You must successfully complete the PST CPAT within 180 days (~6 months) months of your passing written examination, either before or after.
• CPAT rules require that you have the opportunity to attend two (2) CPAT Orientations and two (2) CPAT Practice Tests prior to your actual CPAT. The Orientation includes classroom instruction on the CPAT, training & preparation for the CPAT, and the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the CPAT equipment. The Practice Test gives you the opportunity to perform a timed practice run of the CPAT events. You may waive these requirements in writing. While the Orientation and Practice Test may be waived, you are highly encouraged to attend, especially if you have never taken a CPAT. Many candidates that have passed the CPAT have said they most likely would have failed had they not attended the Orientation and/or Practice Test(s).
• If you pass the CPAT, your scores/data will be sent to the agency or agencies to which you have applied at timeframes set by the agency (see individual agency profiles).
• If you fail the CPAT, you may retest at your own expense.

PREPARING FOR THE CPAT

CPAT SCHEDULING