200+ Free FCTC Written Test Practice Questions
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Key Facts: FCTC Written Test Exam
100
Multiple-Choice Questions
FCTC Written Test FAQ (Nov 2025)
2 hrs 30 min
Time Limit
FCTC Written Test FAQ
70%
Passing Score
FCTC Written Test FAQ
$50
Fee Per Test
FCTC Written Test FAQ
4 sections
Reading, Mechanical, Video, Math
FCTC / Cal-JAC
170+
California Fire Agencies Using Scores
FCTC Statewide Eligibility List
The FCTC Written Test is Cal-JAC's standardized entry-level firefighter exam: 100 equally weighted multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes across technical reading (35), mechanical reasoning (25), video recall (20), and math (20). The fee is $50, the passing score is 70%, and no calculator is allowed. Passing scores feed the Statewide Eligibility List used by over 170 California fire agencies and last one year.
Sample FCTC Written Test Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your FCTC Written Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Two people sit on a seesaw (a Class 1 lever). A 200-pound adult sits 3 feet from the pivot. To balance a 100-pound child on the other side, how far from the pivot must the child sit?
2A firefighter uses a 6-foot pry bar to lift the edge of a heavy beam. The fulcrum is placed 1 foot from the beam, leaving 5 feet of bar to push on. Approximately how much does this lever multiply the firefighter's effort force?
3A single fixed pulley mounted to a ceiling is used to raise a load. What does this pulley primarily do?
4A block-and-tackle system has two pulleys supporting a movable block, so two rope segments share the load. To lift a 400-pound load (ignoring friction), about how much force must be applied to the rope?
5Two gears are meshed together. The driver gear has 10 teeth and the driven gear has 30 teeth. If the driver gear turns at 60 revolutions per minute, how fast does the driven gear turn?
6Two meshed gears turn. If the first gear rotates clockwise, in which direction does the second meshed gear rotate?
7Two pulleys are connected by an open (uncrossed) belt. If the left pulley turns clockwise, the right pulley turns:
8A small pulley (4-inch diameter) is connected by a belt to a large pulley (12-inch diameter). The small pulley spins at 300 rpm. About how fast does the large pulley spin?
9Water flows through a pipe that narrows from a wide section to a narrow section. As the water moves into the narrower section, its speed:
10Two water tanks are connected at the bottom by an open pipe. Tank A is filled to 10 feet and Tank B to 4 feet. What happens when the connecting valve opens?
About the FCTC Written Test Exam
The FCTC Written Test is the standardized entry-level firefighter exam administered by the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center under California's Cal-JAC. It is a 100-question, equally weighted multiple-choice test completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes across four sections: recall and comprehend technical written information (35 questions), apply mechanical reasoning concepts (25 questions), recall and comprehend verbal and visual information from two short videos (20 questions), and solve mathematical problems (20 questions). The test begins with a 30-minute essay reading period that is then collected, followed by two video scenarios, and then the remaining booklet items; no calculator, scratch paper, or electronic devices are allowed. A passing score of 70% places a candidate on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (SEL), which is used by over 170 California fire agencies. Scores are valid for one year, and candidates may retest no more than once per 30 days.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours 30 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$50 per test (non-refundable) (FCTC (Firefighter Candidate Testing Center), operated by the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC), proctored in person at California testing sites)
FCTC Written Test Exam Content Outline
Recall and Comprehend Technical Information from Written Materials
Reading-comprehension items on technical passages, manuals, and essays: definitions, procedures, detail identification, vocabulary in context, and cause-and-effect (35 questions)
Apply Mechanical Reasoning Concepts
Levers, gears, belts and pulleys, rope-and-pulley systems, fluid dynamics, hydraulics, and diagram interpretation (25 questions)
Recall and Comprehend Verbal and Visual Information
Detail recall, visual observation, sequence of events, and comprehension based on two short video scenarios shown once (20 questions)
Solve Mathematical Problems
Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, rates, area, volume, angles, geometry, and basic algebra solved by hand (20 questions)
How to Pass the FCTC Written Test Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Exam fee: $50 per test (non-refundable)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
FCTC Written Test Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FCTC Written Test?
The FCTC Written Test is the standardized entry-level firefighter exam administered by the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center under California's Cal-JAC. It is a 100-question, equally weighted multiple-choice test completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes across four sections covering technical reading, mechanical reasoning, video recall, and math.
How much does the FCTC Written Test cost?
There is a $50 fee for each test, and all FCTC fees are non-refundable. A $10 fee applies if you reschedule fewer than two business days before your event. Candidates who demonstrate financial hardship may be eligible for aid from the California Fire Foundation that covers the written test and CPAT fees.
What sections are on the FCTC Written Test?
The test has four sections: recall and comprehend technical written information (35 questions), apply mechanical reasoning concepts (25 questions), recall and comprehend verbal and visual information from two short videos (20 questions), and solve mathematical problems (20 questions). Each of the 100 questions is weighted equally.
What score do I need to pass?
The passing score on the FCTC Written Test is 70%. A passing score is added to the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List (SEL), which is used by over 170 participating California fire agencies during their hiring processes.
How long is the FCTC Written Test and how is it structured?
The test takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. It begins with a 30-minute essay reading period that is then collected, followed by two short video scenarios, and then the remaining booklet questions. You receive 10-minute and 2-minute warnings before time expires.
Can I use a calculator or take notes during the test?
No. No calculator, scratch paper, or electronic devices are permitted, and you may not take notes during the video section. You may bring only a valid government-issued photo ID and your keys into the testing room.
How often can I retake the test, and how long do scores last?
You can take the FCTC Written Test as many times as you like, but no more than once in any 30-day period. Only your most recent score is considered, and scores are valid for one year from the exam date.
Is the FCTC Written Test available online or remotely?
No. The FCTC Written Test is administered only in person at the physical testing locations listed on FCTConline.org. You schedule a test event through your FCTC candidate profile.