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FireTEAM Exam Prep Guide

The FireTEAM exam is a standardized firefighter entrance test developed by Ergometrics and used by hundreds of departments — especially in California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. It measures cognitive ability, mechanical reasoning, situational judgment, and behavioral tendencies. A strong FireTEAM score can move you to the top of a hiring list. A weak one can end your application before an interview.

What's on the Exam

Reading Comprehension
Timed passages followed by detail and inference questions
Mechanical Aptitude
Pulleys, levers, fluid pressure, and basic physics
Situational Judgment
Video-based scenarios testing teamwork and decision-making
Observation & Memory
Recall tasks based on images, scenes, or incident details
Test Length
Typically 2–3 hours at a proctored testing center

How to Prepare

  1. 1

    Start with mechanical aptitude — pulleys and hydraulics are the most commonly tested and the most coachable topics.

  2. 2

    Practice reading comprehension under timed conditions. FireTEAM passages are dense and the clock moves fast.

  3. 3

    For situational judgment, anchor every answer to firefighter values: safety first, team over self, follow the chain of command.

  4. 4

    Take at least two full-length practice sessions in the week before your test to calibrate your pacing.

  5. 5

    Use our free diagnostic to find your weakest section first so you're not wasting study time on subjects you already know.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FireTEAM exam?+

FireTEAM is a standardized firefighter entrance exam developed by Ergometrics. It tests reading comprehension, mechanical aptitude, situational judgment, and behavioral tendencies using a combination of written questions and video-based scenarios. It's one of the most widely used firefighter written exams in the western United States.

Which fire departments use the FireTEAM exam?+

FireTEAM is used by hundreds of fire departments, with heavy concentration in California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. Many suburban and county departments use it as a standardized screening tool so they can compare candidates on a consistent scale.

What's a passing score on the FireTEAM exam?+

Passing cutoffs vary by department, but most set a minimum around the 70th percentile. Because departments rank candidates by score, passing isn't enough — the higher you score, the better your position on the hiring list.

How long is the FireTEAM exam?+

The full FireTEAM battery typically takes 2–3 hours. It includes multiple sections administered in sequence at a proctored testing center. Plan to arrive early and bring required ID.

How do I prepare for the FireTEAM exam?+

Focus your prep on mechanical aptitude, timed reading comprehension, and situational judgment. The free diagnostic on FirefighterHire gives you an instant weak-area readout so you know exactly where to spend your study time.

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