All About the New York City Firefighter Exam

Thinking of appearing for the FDNY exam and becoming a part of America’s bravest? Here’s what you need to know about the firefighter’s test.

The Written Exam

In the written section of the FDNY exam, you’ll be required to take a computerized test comprising of five sections. This test needs to be completed within four hours and is made of different components. This includes reading the provided text, watching videos, and listening to audios to answer the exam questions. Most of the questions in this exam are based on problem-solving tactics and test your ability to understand and apply concepts.

The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

In this part of the test, you’ll be tested on four main areas of physical fitness. These include your flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and cardiopulmonary endurance. The CPAT comprises of eight different activities resembling the work firefighters do in line of duty. These include:

• Hose Drag
• Ceiling Breach/Pull
• Stair Climb
• Equipment Carry
• Forcible Entry
• Rescue
• Ladder Raise/Extension
• Search

For you to clear the CPAT, you must be physically fit. The time limit for the test is approximately 10 minutes, and it may be conducted either indoors or outdoors. Each activity is timed 20 seconds apart, thus involving almost continuous exercise.

Applicants will be required to wear at least 50 pounds of gear during these activities, to resemble the real-life firefighting scenarios of wearing heavy equipment. Your becoming a firefighter depends largely on passing the CPAT, and this mustn’t be taken lightly.

Eligibility Criteria

Before you appear for the FDNY test, you need to make sure you follow the criteria for being a firefighter. This includes:

• Having U.S. citizenship
• Being over the age of 21
• Being able to understand and communicate in the English language
• Having a valid driver’s license issued or approved by the New York State
• Being a resident of one of the five boroughs of New York CityOR of Rockland, Nassau, Putnam, Suffolk, Orange, or Westchester
• Having a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent
• Having a minimum of 15 college semester credits earned at an accredited college or university
• Having served the military full-time with an honorable discharge (in cases of military experience)
• Having six months of full-time, paid work experience (in cases where applicable)

Civil Services Success helps candidates prepare for their civil services exams and FDNY exams. With 45 years in the industry, we offer classes across New York to help applicants achieve their firefighting dreams.

Get in touch with us today for more information on the upcoming sessions!