FCTC Test Prep with Free Sample Questions & Answers

The FCTC Written Test consists of 100 questions divided into four sections: recall and understanding technical information from written materials, comprehension of verbal and visual information, application of mechanical reasoning, and solving mathematical problems. You will have 2.5 hours to complete the assessment. 

The FCTC Test is tailored for aspiring firefighters in California, testing your ability to process information and think critically. With a focus on reading comprehension, recall of visual and verbal details, basic mathematics, and mechanical reasoning, this test is designed to measure your knowledge in areas essential to the firefighting profession.

Each section of the FCTC Written Test measures your proficiency in cognitive skills that will be crucial to your success as an entry-level firefighter and evaluates your ability to perform the following four types of tasks:

• Recall and Comprehend Verbal and Visual Information
• Recall and Comprehend Technical Information from Written Material
• Firefighter Mechanical Reasoning
• Firefighter Mathematical Problems

The FCTC exam is administered in person at designated locations and is a timed test that takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. In case you do not pass the exam, you have the option to register for a retake. However, you must wait for 30 days before retaking the test.

Let's dive deeper into the FCTC test and what to expect in each part.

The testing process begins with a 30-minute period during which candidates are provided with essays to read and study without taking notes, simply attempting to remember the information.

Once the reading period ends, the essays are collected, and the exam promptly begins. Candidates then have two hours to complete 100 multiple-choice questions.

After completing the first part of the test (Visual and Video section), test-takers can answer questions related to the essays they read.

To provide you with a realistic test-taking experience, our FCTC written practice test includes three essays followed by dozens of questions. By practicing with these materials, you can improve your ability to memorize and recall important information, ultimately helping you ace this test section.

Sample Essay - From Our FCTC Written Test Prep

Please read through this page, which is similar to the essays you'll encounter on the real exam. Afterward, we'll provide two sample questions related to the essay to test your recall and comprehension. Remember to wait a few minutes before attempting the sample questions to ensure an accurate evaluation of your abilities.

Let’s dive into more details about each of the four sections, where a candidate starts answering questions with the remaining two hours of the test.

After the essays are collected, candidates move on to the first section, which is about visual and video recall and comprehension. In this section, you'll watch two short videos without taking any notes, and your task is to answer 20 questions from memory alone.

This section evaluates your ability to recall and comprehend visual information and is the first part of the exam you will take after the reading period.

Our training and practice platform offers three modules for this part, each containing two short videos, followed by questions related to each video. Practicing in this way is important as it reduces stress and helps you become familiar with the unique types of questions asked in the exam. It also improves your ability to recall and comprehend information, which will positively impact the way you approach the test.

After completing the video component, candidates will be instructed to open their test booklets and answer the remaining eighty questions.

These questions cover pre-test essays, additional essays in the test booklet, mechanical reasoning, and math concepts.

This section of the test assesses your capacity to recall details and comprehend the content of some of the essays you read during the initial 30-minute period, along with others included in the test booklet.

It is crucial to keep in mind that you cannot refer back to the essays provided at the start of the exam, so make sure to pay attention and retain as much information as possible during the reading period.

To evaluate your recall and comprehension skills, try answering these sample questions after waiting for at least 5-10 minutes since reading the essay we provided. You can access the essay again through this link.

Why is this important?

The ability of firefighters to recall technical and text-based information quickly and accurately is essential in emergency situations. Failure to do so can lead to critical errors that put both lives and property at risk.

For instance, understanding and recalling the building's layout and hazardous materials stored within can help firefighters make safer decisions when navigating through a fire scene.

In addition, having knowledge of emergency medicine and being able to recall it under pressure can help save lives. That's why it's important to test firefighter candidates on their ability to comprehend and recall technical and text-based materials.

Next, let's explore the final two topics, Math and Mechanical Reasoning, by providing sample questions for you to attempt and evaluate your skills.

 This section determines if a candidate has the mechanical aptitude for working effectively as a firefighter. You will need to demonstrate your knowledge of fluid dynamics, levers, belt and pulley systems, rope and pulley systems, gears, and interpreting diagrams.

Why is this important?

Firefighters frequently encounter situations that require them to use mechanical aptitude, such as operating equipment or performing rescues. Without a good understanding of these concepts, firefighters may struggle to perform their duties effectively and safely.

The FCTC Written Test includes twenty (20) mathematical word problems that are equivalent to a high school education level. Candidates are not permitted to use calculators during the test and must show their work on the provided scratch paper, not in the test booklet. If you run out of space on the scratch paper, simply raise your hand and a test administrator will provide a new sheet.

The FCTC math questions are designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to perform basic mathematical operations and solve problems related to firefighting scenarios. This section covers a wide range of mathematical concepts and areas, including:

1. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division: Candidates may be asked to perform calculations involving these basic mathematical operations. 

2. Angles: identify angles, such as acute, obtuse, or right angles.

3. Area and volume: calculate the area or volume of objects, such as rooms or storage containers.

4. Algebra: solve basic algebraic equations, such as linear equations or inequalities.

5. Decimals, fractions, percentages, and ratios: perform calculations using these types of numbers, such as converting between decimals, fractions, and percentages or calculating ratios.

Why is it important: Being a firefighter involves a diverse range of responsibilities, and many of them require basic math skills. While specialized formulas for tasks like hydraulics are taught on the job, it's crucial to have a solid grasp of basic mathematical concepts for routine tasks.

As a firefighter, you never know what challenges you may face, but having a good foundation in math can help you effectively navigate any situation that comes your way.

Our FCTC practice test, designed to help aspiring firefighters in California improve their chances of passing with success, includes twenty-three math practice tests with hundreds of questions as well as study guides for this topic. 

Interested in trying out more sample questions? Visit our Free Firefighter Practice page.

To pass the FCTC written test, candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher. Scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly, each question is weighted equally, and there is no penalty for guessing.

Physical fitness is a crucial element of the job, and therefore the FCTC will want to ensure that you can maintain the highest levels of physical ability. 

The FCTC test consists of eight different physical ability tests, which are designed to simulate real-life firefighting tasks. These tests include the stair climb, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise and extension, forcible entry, search, rescue, and ceiling breach and pull. The candidate must complete all eight tests within a total of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

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