We may earn a commission from some links on this page. Recommendations remain editorially independent.
UK Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) run their own firefighter campaigns. Many still use aptitude-style written or online tests covering numerical work, understanding information and situational judgement, plus a personality or personal-qualities questionnaire, before interviews and practical physical tests.
There is no single UK-wide live paper identical for every service. National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) materials discuss selection methods and practical National Firefighter Selection Tests (NFST) evaluation work, while each FRS publishes its own candidate pack. Historic NFST written or practical descriptions are not automatically current for every service. Confirm the tests named in your vacancy.
This page is not a police assessment guide, not an Armed Forces aptitude guide, and not a generic mechanical-aptitude syllabus.
Key Takeaways
- Firefighter recruitment varies by Fire and Rescue Service.
- Cognitive themes often include numbers, information handling and judgement, but formats differ.
- Physical or role-related practical tests are separate from written aptitude practice.
- Treat historic NFST claims as historical or framework context unless your FRS confirms them.
- Commercial packs can be broad bundles; check what is free versus paid.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
The 45 questions below are original educational exercises. They are not official NFCC, FRS, Home Office or JobTestPrep items. Where commercial sites quote historic national written-test timings, treat those as orientation only unless your FRS confirms them.
Optional third-party practice
This third-party resource covers broader UK firefighter practice formats rather than one universal FRS exam. Confirm what is free versus paid and which modules are included before purchasing. It is not an official Fire and Rescue Service assessment and is not an exact simulation of every local campaign.
Review JobTestPrep UK firefighter practice options
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sector | UK Fire and Rescue Services |
| Common cognitive themes | Numerical; understanding information; situational judgement |
| Personality element | Often a questionnaire against personal qualities or attributes |
| Physical element | Role-related practical tests that vary by FRS; NFST is historically cited in national materials |
| Variation | Online versus centre delivery; some services use other providers |
| Control | Your FRS recruitment pack and invitation |
There is no universal public pass mark for every UK firefighter campaign. Check your invitation before preparing.
How to prepare
- Download your FRS application and familiarisation materials first.
- Practise mental arithmetic for rates, percentages, ratios and simple measurement.
- Practise careful reading of safety notices (True / False / Cannot say habits transfer well).
- For judgement items, prioritise safety, integrity, teamwork and clear communication.
- Answer personality items honestly; do not invent an artificial persona.
Practice questions
Educational exercises only. Not NFCC, a Fire and Rescue Service, or JobTestPrep items. FRS campaigns vary; confirm your service’s materials.
Working with numbers (15)
1. A hose delivers 450 litres in 3 minutes at constant rate. Litres in 8 minutes?
A. 900 B. 1,000 C. 1,200 D. 1,350
Correct answer: C
2. Breathing apparatus cylinder 1,800 litres usable. Use rate 40 litres/min. Minutes of air?
A. 40 B. 45 C. 50 D. 60
Correct answer: B
3. Ladder sections: 4 m + 4 m + 3 m overlapping joints lose 0.5 m total. Approximate working length?
A. 10.0 m B. 10.5 m C. 11.0 m D. 11.5 m
Correct answer: B Explanation: 11 - 0.5 = 10.5.
4. Crew of 5 shares equipment checks equally across 40 items. Items each?
A. 6 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9
Correct answer: C
5. Appliance fuel 80 litres; uses 0.4 litres/km. Range?
A. 160 km B. 200 km C. 220 km D. 320 km
Correct answer: B
6. From 24 volunteers, 1/3 are on nights. How many on nights?
A. 6 B. 8 C. 10 D. 12
Correct answer: B
7. Hydrant flow test: 1,200 litres in 2 minutes. Litres/minute?
A. 400 B. 500 C. 600 D. 800
Correct answer: C
8. Foam concentrate 5% of final mix. How much concentrate for 200 litres finished foam mixture?
A. 5 L B. 8 L C. 10 L D. 20 L
Correct answer: C
9. Incident travel 18 km at average 54 km/h. Minutes travel?
A. 15 B. 18 C. 20 D. 22
Correct answer: C Explanation: 18/54 hours = 1/3 hour = 20 minutes.
10. Stock of 96 gloves; issue 3 pairs (6 gloves) to each of 12 firefighters. Remaining?
A. 18 B. 20 C. 24 D. 30
Correct answer: C Explanation: 12*6=72; 96-72=24.
11. Area triangle base 8 m height 5 m?
A. 20 m² B. 30 m² C. 40 m² D. 45 m²
Correct answer: A
12. Percentage: weekly community talks rise from 10 to 13. Rise %?
A. 20% B. 25% C. 30% D. 40%
Correct answer: C
13. Ratio water to foam liquid 19:1. Water for 20 litres total mix?
A. 18 L B. 19 L C. 19.5 L D. 20 L
Correct answer: B
14. Average of times 6, 8, 7, 9 minutes?
A. 7 B. 7.5 C. 8 D. 8.5
Correct answer: B
15. If 3 firefighters pack 90 hose lengths in 60 minutes, how many lengths can 4 pack in 45 minutes at same rate?
A. 80 B. 90 C. 100 D. 110
Correct answer: B Explanation: Rate = 90/(360)=0.5 per FF-min. 445*0.5=90.
Understanding information (15)
16. Notice: “Fire exits must stay clear. Storage is banned in exit corridors.” Statement: Boxes may be stored in exit corridors if labelled.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
17. Guide: Evacuation drills occur twice yearly. Last drill was in January. Statement: Another drill must already have occurred by February.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: C
18. Policy: Visiting schools requires two officers present. Statement: A single officer may run a school visit alone under this policy.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
19. Text: Foam concentrate X is for Class B risks. Statement: Concentrate X is intended for ordinary Class A wood fires.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
20. Memo: Night staffing minimum is six. Tonight six are rostered. Statement: Tonight meets the written minimum.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: A
21. Escape plan lists two stairwells A and B. Statement: A third stairwell C exists.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: C
22. “Wear helmets in the drill yard.” Statement: Helmets are required in the drill yard per this rule.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: A
23. Manual: Check BA pressure before entry. Statement: Pressure checks happen after leaving the risk area only.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
24. Poster: Assembly point is the east car park. Statement: The west car park is the assembly point.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
25. Brief: Out-of-service hydrants are tagged red. Hydrant 12 is tagged red. Statement: Hydrant 12 is marked out of service under this brief.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: A
26. Note: Community safety visits are by appointment. Statement: Unannounced visits never happen anywhere for any reason.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: C
27. SOP extract: Do not drink from contaminated water sources. Statement: Contaminated sources are treated as unsafe to drink here.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: A
28. Roster: Blue Watch starts at 08:00. Statement: Blue Watch starts at 18:00.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
29. Chart title says “Injuries 2024”. Statement: The chart includes 2025 figures.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
30. Text: Spare keys are kept in the red cabinet. Statement: The blue cabinet holds spare keys.
A. True B. False C. Cannot say
Correct answer: B
Situational awareness / safety judgement (15)
Most defensible response for study only.
31. You smell strong smoke in a closed appliance bay with no drill booked.
A. Ignore and continue chatting. B. Raise the alert using local procedures and investigate safely with the crew. C. Open every door randomly while smoking. D. Film a social clip first.
Most defensible response: B
32. A member of the public asks for confidential details about a casualty.
A. Share names freely. B. Decline and direct them through appropriate official channels. C. Invent details. D. Post online.
Most defensible response: B
33. Kit with a damaged strap is found before a shout.
A. Use it anyway. B. Quarantine/report defective kit and use serviceable equipment. C. Hide the damage. D. Blame a colleague publicly.
Most defensible response: B
34. Teammate looks exhausted and unsteady.
A. Joke about it. B. Raise a welfare/safety concern through the proper route; do not ignore impairment risks. C. Give them more tasks silently. D. Record them without consent for laughs.
Most defensible response: B
35. On a community visit, a host offers alcohol mid-duty.
A. Accept. B. Decline politely and keep professional standards. C. Hide and drink. D. Ask for more.
Most defensible response: B
36. You are unsure about a radio message in noise.
A. Guess and act on the guess alone. B. Seek confirmation using clear radio discipline. C. Switch radios off. D. Shout conflicting orders.
Most defensible response: B
37. New recruit asks a safety question you do not know.
A. Invent an answer. B. Admit you will check the correct procedure and return with verified guidance. C. Tell them to stop asking. D. Shame them.
Most defensible response: B
38. Offline hydrant map shows a private road locked. Best planning habit?
A. Assume access always exists. B. Note access constraints and plan alternatives with the crew. C. Ignore maps. D. Force locks without authority or need.
Most defensible response: B
39. Social media challenge dares helmets-off selfies on appliance roofs.
A. Join for likes. B. Refuse and uphold safety and professional image standards. C. Encourage trainees to try. D. Post others without consent.
Most defensible response: B
40. Hose branch pressure feels wrong mid-drill.
A. Keep going silently. B. Stop in a controlled way, make safe, and report for check. C. Increase pressure randomly. D. Blame equipment buyers online.
Most defensible response: B
41. Language barrier with a resident needing escape advice leaflets.
A. Speak louder only in English and leave. B. Use available communication aids / interpreters per local practice and check understanding. C. Guess their language badly for jokes. D. Refuse help.
Most defensible response: B
42. You spot discriminatory graffiti in station spaces.
A. Ignore. B. Report and remove per policy; do not tolerate hate material. C. Add more. D. Photograph for a meme page.
Most defensible response: B
43. Conflicting instructions from two supervisors in a non-emergency admin task.
A. Pick randomly and hide. B. Seek clarification promptly to avoid unsafe ambiguity. C. Argue publicly. D. Do nothing for a week.
Most defensible response: B
44. Wet floor in appliance room with no warning sign.
A. Walk away. B. Make it safe (sign/clean per practice) and notify as needed. C. Wait for a slip injury. D. Film a prank.
Most defensible response: B
45. Personality / PQA-style reflection: best honesty approach?
A. Fake extreme answers. B. Answer honestly and consistently with safety, integrity and teamwork values. C. Copy a friend’s profile. D. Leave every item blank.
Most defensible response: B
Official resources
- NFCC: The selection process
- Confirm your local Fire and Rescue Service careers / firefighter recruitment pages for the live campaign.
Related guides
- UK Assessment Tests
- Situational Judgment Test
- Numerical Reasoning
- Federal Firefighter Exam (US-focused; different intent)
FAQ
Is there one national written exam for every UK firefighter?
Not as a single guaranteed live paper for every service. Aptitude themes are common, but formats and providers vary by FRS.
What about physical tests?
Many services use role-related practical assessments. NFCC materials discuss National Firefighter Selection Tests used in recruitment. Exact batteries differ by service.
Do I need a calculator for aptitude practice?
Some historic national-style numerical papers are described as no-calculator. Follow your FRS instructions.
Are US firefighter exams the same?
No. Use UK FRS guidance. US federal firefighter pages on this site are a separate intent.
Next steps
Return to the UK Assessment Tests hub for more British employer, public-service and graduate-scheme guides.