The Entry Level Firefighter Written Exam is administered by the City of Seattle Personnel Department, Fire Exams Unit.

The comprehensive written examination takes one day to complete. The components of the written exam are as follows:

• Part I is a mandatory study period.
  
  
• At the end of Part I, study materials are collected and exam materials are distributed.
  
  
• Part II is the written exam session.

Part I

The study period format will be as follows. The instructions for the study session are read aloud by a test monitor. During the study session, each applicant is given two-and-one-half (2.5) hours to study a variety of printed materials, including printed text, line drawings, written instructions, and pictures. These study materials are the basis for the aptitude test which is administered during Part II.

During the study session (Part I), you may take breaks. Please note, however, that these breaks will shorten the amount of time that you will have for studying.

Candidates are allowed to make written notes about the study materials during Part I; however, these notes must be written on paper provided by the test monitor. Also, each applicant must turn in his/her notes to the test monitor at the conclusion of the study session.  You will not be allowed to use these notes or any study materials during the exam period.

Part II

For the exam session, instructions for the test are read aloud by the test monitor. The test requires that applicants read printed materials and record their answers on an optically scanned computer sheet. Applicants are required to use a pencil to record their answers. Applicants will have one-and-one-half (1.5) hours to complete the written examination.

The questions on the examination are drawn directly from materials provided during the study session. You must learn the study materials presented during the study session to do well on the examination.

Note this important instruction: You are not allowed to take the exam (Part II) if you did not attend the study session (Part I).

Workshops For The Written Exam

There are no specific textbooks required to study for the Written Exam. Written Exam Workshops will be provided for applicants prior to the exam. The workshops give candidates an opportunity to take a mock exam and to explore aspects of this particular testing process. Each session is taught by firefighters that are familiar with the written test procedures.

Written Exam Study Workshops Schedule

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Last Modified:   February 07, 2012