200+ Free Chicago Firefighter Practice Questions
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Key Facts: Chicago Firefighter Exam
6 areas
Cognitive Skill Areas Plus SJT
CFD test prep analysis (JobTestPrep)
$30
Application/Exam Fee (historical)
City of Chicago DHR CFD FAQ
Pass/fail
Scoring (cut score not disclosed)
City of Chicago / Chicago Fire Department
Lottery
Randomized Selection to Sit the Exam
City of Chicago CFD recruitment
18 yrs
Minimum Age by Written Exam Date
City of Chicago CFD job requirements
38 yrs
Maximum Appointment Age (MCC 2-152-410)
Municipal Code of Chicago
The Chicago Fire Department Firefighter/EMT Examination is the City of Chicago's cognitive ability written test, covering numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mechanical aptitude, spatial orientation, and general knowledge plus a situational judgement test. The City has historically charged a $30 non-refundable fee. The exam is pass/fail; CFD does not disclose the official cut score, though prep sources cite a threshold near 68%. Candidates are selected to test by randomized lottery.
Sample Chicago Firefighter Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Chicago Firefighter exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A fire engine carries 500 gallons of water in its onboard tank. During an attack, the crew flows water at 125 gallons per minute. If no external supply is connected, how long will the onboard tank last?
2A ladder truck responds to 18 calls on Monday, 22 on Tuesday, and 14 on Wednesday. What is the average number of calls per day over these three days?
3A section of fire hose is 50 feet long. A crew needs to stretch a line 275 feet from the engine to the building. What is the minimum number of 50-foot sections required?
4A firefighter's full protective ensemble weighs 45 pounds, and a charged hoseline adds another 25 pounds of weight to carry. If the firefighter already carries an 8-pound tool, what total extra weight is being carried beyond the firefighter's body weight?
5An engine company responded to 240 calls last year. This year the number of calls increased by 15 percent. How many calls did the company respond to this year?
6A water tank is rectangular, measuring 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. What is its volume in cubic feet?
7A firefighter shift runs 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off duty. Over a 9-day period starting at the beginning of an on-duty shift, how many full 24-hour on-duty shifts does the firefighter work?
8A pump discharges 750 gallons of water in 6 minutes. At this constant rate, how many gallons will it discharge in 10 minutes?
9A fire station orders supplies costing $42.50, $18.75, and $63.25. How much change is returned from a $150 payment?
10A response route is 12 miles long. A fire apparatus travels the route at an average speed of 36 miles per hour. How many minutes does the trip take?
About the Chicago Firefighter Exam
The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Firefighter/EMT Examination is the entry-level written test used by the City of Chicago Department of Human Resources to select firefighter candidates. It is a cognitive ability test that measures numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mechanical aptitude, spatial orientation, and general knowledge, and it also includes a situational judgement test (SJT) that assesses work style and decision-making. Candidates are first chosen to sit for the exam through a randomized lottery from the pool of qualified applicants. Passing the written exam places a candidate on an eligibility list; later steps include the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), background investigation, drug screening, and medical examination before Fire Academy entry, where candidates complete EMT licensure.
Assessment
Question count not published by the exam provider
Time Limit
Not published
Passing Score
Pass/fail; official cut score not disclosed (prep sources report a threshold near 68%)
Exam Fee
$30 (non-refundable; historically charged, fee waivers available) (City of Chicago Department of Human Resources for the Chicago Fire Department, proctored at City-approved testing locations)
Chicago Firefighter Exam Content Outline
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Work-style and judgment scenarios on teamwork, integrity, following orders, public interaction, safety judgment, and professional conduct
Numerical Reasoning
Word problems with arithmetic, percentages, fractions, rates, and basic geometry framed in firefighting scenarios
General Knowledge
Fire science, basic science, EMS basics, civic knowledge, and measurement facts learned before high-school graduation
Mechanical Aptitude
Levers, gears, pulleys, fluid behavior, gauges, balance, and tool use applying basic mechanical principles
Reading Comprehension
Fire-safety and procedural passages with detail-extraction, main-idea, inference, and vocabulary-in-context items
Spatial Orientation & Written Communication
Compass directions, turn tracking, map scale, floor plans, and route planning, plus grammar and report-writing clarity
How to Pass the Chicago Firefighter Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Pass/fail; official cut score not disclosed (prep sources report a threshold near 68%)
- Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
- Time limit: Not published
- Exam fee: $30 (non-refundable; historically charged, fee waivers available)
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 200 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Chicago Firefighter Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Firefighter/EMT Examination?
It is the entry-level written cognitive ability test administered by the City of Chicago Department of Human Resources for the Chicago Fire Department. It measures numerical reasoning, reading comprehension, mechanical aptitude, spatial orientation, and general knowledge, and it includes a situational judgement test (SJT).
Who administers the exam?
The City of Chicago Department of Human Resources administers the exam for the Chicago Fire Department, often using external testing vendors. Applicants apply through the City of Chicago and test at City-approved proctored locations.
How much does the exam cost?
The City of Chicago has historically charged a $30 non-refundable application/exam fee, with fee waivers available to qualifying applicants. Candidates should confirm the current fee when an examination is announced.
What score do I need to pass?
The exam is pass/fail, but the City of Chicago does not publicly disclose the official cut score. Prep sources commonly cite a passing threshold near 68 percent, so candidates should aim well above any minimum to be competitive on the eligibility list.
How are candidates chosen to take the exam?
Because of high interest, the City uses a randomized lottery to select qualified applicants to sit for the written exam. Submitting a complete application that meets minimum qualifications enters you into the lottery; hiring preferences are then applied.
Do I need EMT training before applying?
No. Firefighter/EMT candidates are not required to have EMT or paramedic training before applying or being hired. Required EMT training and Illinois licensure are completed during Fire Academy training.
Can I retake the Chicago firefighter exam?
Retakes occur on the next published City of Chicago Firefighter/EMT examination cycle. Candidates who do not pass, or who are not reached on the current eligibility list, reapply when the next exam is announced.
What comes after passing the written exam?
Passing places a candidate on an eligibility list. Subsequent steps include the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), background investigation with fingerprinting, drug test, medical screening, establishing Chicago residency, and Fire Academy training.