Los Angeles Firefighter Exam Review Guide

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and talent of Gabriella who assisted with the editing and cover art for this edition.

About The Exam

The LAFD examination now called the Firefighter Candidate Assessment (FCA) consists of 5 segments.  Segments 1-4 make up the cognitive assessment section. It consists of the traditional types of questions you would expect to find on a firefighter exam that are delivered on the computer terminal. Abilities tested include: reading comprehension, ability to learn and apply information, reasoning, listening comprehension, and basic arithmetic. The cognitive section contains between 50 and 60 questions. There are a series of approximately 25 items based on 3 video segments and 30 items based on a sample operations manual known as the Training Guide.

The FCA also contains a personal background section that assesses the candidate’s psychological profile. It is closely modeled from the Big 5 psychological exam and assesses the following characteristics: conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability (neuroticism), interpersonal competence (emotional intelligence), and truthfulness. The exam has its roots in the MMPI and CPI exams, which are much more comprehensive in their scope and ability to detect work environment personality concerns.

The exam items are very short and easy to answer. Primarily, understand that these questions are designed to detect attempts by  candidates to misrepresent themselves.  The questions are designed to detect inconsistent responses that underscore a falsely positive portrayals of candidates’ personalities.

Optimal performance relies upon being honest with yourself during the exam. Do not read too deep into the questions, and don’t obsess over the response to any single question. The exam is very limited in its ability to provide a truly accurate picture of your personality.

It is strongly recommended that you take as many civil service exams as possible prior to taking the LAFD exam. Practice and experience are your best ally in becoming a Los Angeles firefighter. If at all possible, you should take one or more of the computerized exams offered by Los Angeles and California such as the Traffic Officer or LAPD exam. They are inexpensive and give you firsthand experience using the same type of computer terminal you will use on the LAFD exam.

Requirements

Age: At least 18 years of age at the time of application.

Education:

Graduation from a U.S. high school or equivalent, G.E.D. or equivalent from a U.S. institution, or a California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) certificate is required.

Firefighter Candidate Assessment (FCA):

To meet the FCA requirement, you must: (1) register for the FCA, (2) take the FCA, and (3) apply for the examination during the application filing period.

Citizenship:

U.S. Citizenship is not required to apply. However, candidates must have the proper status (green card, work visa, etc.) to work legally in the United States of America.

License:

A valid California Driver's License is required at the time of appointment. Once hired, Firefighters are required to obtain and maintain a California Class B or Firefighter's driver's license, in accordance with Fire Department Procedures, as a condition of employment.

CPAT:

Candidates must provide proof of a current passing score on the CPAT during the Field Investigation. Proof must also be provided at the time of certification for hiring consideration. A CPAT score is valid for one year. Information regarding the CPAT can be found at this link.

EMT:

A valid EMT certificate is required prior to hire. Candidates must provide proof of an EMT certification by the time all test parts have been successfully completed to be certified or deemed eligible for hiring consideration. Local candidates are required to submit a current, valid California State EMT license. Applicants from out of state must submit a current National Registry EMT / or higher certification AND a current and valid EMT / or higher license from their state. Click here to see a list of EMT/Paramedic programs in Southern California.

Physical:

Firefighting and medical rescue work is physically demanding. Candidates must be in excellent health and have no conditions that would restrict their ability to safely do fire suppression and rescue work. Weight (body fat content) must be proportionate to height for men and women. The Fire Academy, as well as the job of firefighting, is physically demanding. Therefore, it is in the best interest of each candidate to prepare well in advance to reach his or her maximum fitness level.

Vision:

Uncorrected distance visual acuity of at least 20/100 in the poorer eye and 20/40 in the better eye, correctable to at least 20/40 in one eye and 20/20 in the other eye is required. Regarding refractive surgery, most persons who have had these procedures will be passed. However, some may be deferred for several months or disqualified based on an individualized assessment of the surgical outcome. Regarding color vision, candidates must be able to accurately and quickly name colors and be free of other visual impairments that would restrict their ability to perform Firefighter duties.

Tobacco:

Firefighters are required to refrain from all use of tobacco throughout their employment with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Test Preparation Strategies

Beginning Your Preparation

Begin preparing and studying as soon as possible. You want to engage your long term memory, which can only be done over a period of months.

Find a regular time in your schedule when you can devote a half an hour or more of quiet study time.

Set a schedule and stick to it. Discuss your schedule with your family, so that everybody understands your need for uninterrupted study time.

Start practicing your memory skills in everyday life. If you are walking and see a billboard, take 10 seconds to look at it carefully. Then, as you go about your way, try to remember details such as color, names, and dates. If you take public transportation, there are numerous opportunities to practice this method, because you have a multitude of different advertisements to view.

Study without distractions to the best of your ability. Turn off your phone. Inform people close to you that you will be unavailable during that period of time, so that there is no expectation of a returned phone call.

Be sure you are getting enough sleep because proper rest will greatly affect your concentration and memory skills. Create a peaceful sleep environment by eliminating lights and sounds, obtaining quality pillows, and limiting nighttime activities. You should not eat within an hour of bed, and avoid caffeine and chocolate several hours before bed.

Limiting or stopping alcohol consumption will assist you in the LAFD vetting process.  Alcohol can seriously affect your memory and ability to concentration in several specific ways. Being intoxicated has been proven to negatively affect abstract thinking skills in people for at least 6 weeks. Alcohol affects sleep by contributing to sleep apnea, and many people who drink only moderately have been shown to sleep poorly. Regular use of alcohol contributes to weight gain and raises blood pressure.

Motivate yourself. Find a way to be enthusiastic in your preparation. Prove to yourself that you can earn a high score and make the grade. Keep a positive outlook and make it a constructive experience.

Start early. Begin preparing as soon as the exam is announced.

Avoid last minute cramming. Cramming does not work well, but refreshing your memory the night before the exam does positively impact performance.

Without interruptions, give yourself enough time to complete each sub area in a single sitting. This will give you more confidence and provide you with a realistic expectation for the actual exam.

Develop careful reading habits. You must become an active reader. For example, rephrase each question in your own words to make sure you understand the question. Re-check your answers, and make sure your choice correctly answers the question asked.

Don’t try to memorize practice questions, instead focus on the process of critically reading and analyzing each question.

Concentrate on the sections of the exam you find most challenging.

Budget your time accordingly to practice more difficult areas.

Focus on completing one sub-area question set at a time. Go through your wrong answers and locate the correct answer by reading through the review material. Complete an error analysis early in your studying so that you work through any deficiencies early enough to gain confidence in the material.

Create a set of flash cards by taking any unfamiliar words from the glossary and putting them on index cards. Write out the definition on the reverse side of the card.

The Night Before the Exam

Briefly review the practice questions you have already completed. Focus on your successful responses. Your goal is to refresh your memory and reduce anxiety. Set two alarm clocks and leave an hour before going to bed. Refrain from looking at a computer screen for at least an hour before bed, because light emitted from the screen has been shown in studies to contribute to sleeplessness.

Getting Ready the Day of the Examination

1. Stick to your normal routine as much as possible. Some suggestions may not be in your normal routine, but they usually allow most people to perform their best.

2. Get adequate sleep. Most adults perform best with 7-8 hours of sleep. Adopt this pattern at least a week prior to the exam. Even if you have trouble sleeping the night before the exam; don’t worry. As long as you have rested well for several days leading up to the exam, your body will adjust and your performance will remain elevated.

3. Get up early enough to have a light, balanced breakfast. Set your alarm, and have a backup alarm set as well.

4. Minimize the use of outside influences (food, caffeine, nicotine, entertainment) that might over or under stimulate you. Primarily, do not do anything too radical - and not too different than what is normal for you.

5. Leave for the test early enough to allow for the traffic, weather,  and parking. Resolve childcare needs well in advance. Give yourself ample time to settle in at the test site.

On the morning of the exam, log into a local traffic site, and consider using a traffic app such as Waze to keep updated on traffic issues. If at all possible, have somebody drive you to