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100+ Free FRNSW Cognitive Test Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: FRNSW Cognitive Test Exam

51

Exam Questions

FRNSW Recruitment Guidelines

20 mins

Time Limit

Criteria CCAT Format

$0

Exam Fee

FRNSW Covered

35%

Verbal Weight

FRNSW Blueprint

35%

Numerical Weight

FRNSW Blueprint

30%

Spatial Weight

FRNSW Blueprint

The Fire and Rescue NSW Cognitive Ability Test is a 20-minute, 51-question exam based on the CCAT format. Evaluated domains include Verbal, Numerical, and Spatial/Abstract reasoning. The test is highly competitive and is a critical hurdle in the FRNSW firefighter recruitment pipeline.

Sample FRNSW Cognitive Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FRNSW Cognitive Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1FLAME is to ASH as RIVER is to ______:
A.WATER
B.SILT
C.FLOW
D.BANK
Explanation: A flame burns down to produce ash as its final residue or deposit. Similarly, a river carries and deposits silt as a natural sediment residue along its course. Water and flow are characteristics of a river, and bank is its border, but silt is the residue analog to ash.
2Choose the word that is most nearly SYNONYMOUS with the word: IMPERIL
A.SAFEGUARD
B.JEOPARDIZE
C.CONCEAL
D.NEGLECT
Explanation: To imperil means to put someone or something in danger or at risk. Jeopardize is the most direct synonym, meaning to pose a threat or hazard to. Safeguard is an antonym, conceal means to hide, and neglect means to fail to care for, which is different from actively putting in danger.
3Choose the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word: HAZARDOUS
A.PRECARIOUS
B.BENEFICIAL
C.SECURE
D.FRAGILE
Explanation: Hazardous means risky or dangerous. The opposite of hazardous is secure, which means free from danger or risk. Precarious is a synonym for dangerous, fragile means easily broken, and beneficial means helpful but is not the direct opposite of hazardous.
4Complete the sentence: Despite the ______ smoke filling the corridor, the firefighters maintained a ______ demeanor, ensuring all occupants evacuated safely.
A.acrid ... chaotic
B.sparse ... resolute
C.dense ... calm
D.billowing ... frantic
Explanation: The sentence requires words that show a contrast between the dangerous environment (dense smoke) and the professional, reassuring actions of the firefighters (calm demeanor). 'Dense ... calm' fits this context perfectly. Other option pairs either match negative words together ('acrid ... chaotic', 'billowing ... frantic') or fail to capture the severity of the hazard ('sparse ... resolute').
5LADDER is to CLIMB as VESSEL is to ______:
A.SAIL
B.WATER
C.ANCHOR
D.CARGO
Explanation: A ladder is a tool specifically designed to enable climbing. Similarly, a vessel (boat or ship) is designed to enable sailing. While a vessel travels on water, uses an anchor, and carries cargo, the primary action associated with its function is sailing, matching the functional relationship of climbing to a ladder.
6Read the statements below: - All firefighters on Shift A wear oxygen masks. - No person wearing an oxygen mask is permitted to enter Zone C without a radio. - Officer Miller is on Shift A and is entering Zone C. Which of the following conclusions MUST be true?
A.Officer Miller is not wearing an oxygen mask.
B.Officer Miller has a radio.
C.Officer Miller is not on Shift A.
D.Zone C is completely safe.
Explanation: Since Officer Miller is on Shift A, he must wear an oxygen mask (Statement 1). Since no person wearing an oxygen mask can enter Zone C without a radio (Statement 2), and Officer Miller is entering Zone C, he must have a radio to be permitted entry. Therefore, Officer Miller having a radio is a logically necessary conclusion.
7Complete the sentence: The department's new safety guidelines were ______ to prevent accidents, but their ______ implementation caused widespread confusion among the crew.
A.conceived ... haphazard
B.designed ... systematic
C.intended ... seamless
D.revoked ... prompt
Explanation: The conjunction 'but' indicates a contrast between the positive intention of the guidelines (to prevent accidents) and a negative outcome of their execution (caused confusion). 'Conceived ... haphazard' fits this logic perfectly, as a haphazard implementation would disrupt the positive intent and cause confusion. None of the other options present this contrast while remaining grammatically correct.
8Choose the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word: EQUIVOCAL
A.AMBIGUOUS
B.CLEAR
C.TEMPORARY
D.CAUTIOUS
Explanation: Equivocal means open to more than one interpretation, ambiguous, or undecided. The opposite of equivocal is clear, meaning easy to perceive, understand, or interpret without doubt. Ambiguous is a synonym, while temporary and cautious are unrelated to the clarity of meaning.
9Read the following statements regarding three firefighters: Firefighter A is taller than Firefighter B, Firefighter B is taller than Firefighter C, and Firefighter C is taller than Firefighter A. If these statements are true, which of the following is correct?
A.Firefighter B is the tallest.
B.The statements are logically contradictory.
C.Firefighter A is the shortest.
D.Firefighter C is the tallest.
Explanation: If A is taller than B, and B is taller than C, then by transitive properties A must be taller than C. However, the third statement asserts C is taller than A. These three conditions cannot simultaneously be true, meaning the statements are logically contradictory.
10Find the missing number in the series: 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ______
A.34
B.36
C.38
D.40
Explanation: The difference between consecutive numbers increases by 2 each time: 6 - 3 = 3; 11 - 6 = 5; 18 - 11 = 7; 27 - 18 = 9. The next difference should be 9 + 2 = 11. Adding 11 to 27 gives 38.

About the FRNSW Cognitive Test Exam

The FRNSW Cognitive Ability Test is a critical initial screening assessment used in the recruitment of firefighters in New South Wales. Administered in a CCAT-style format, it challenges candidates with 51 questions to be completed in just 20 minutes. The exam evaluates cognitive abilities across three core domains: Verbal Reasoning (word analogies, sentence completion, vocabulary), Numerical Reasoning (algebra, ratios, percentages, number series), and Spatial/Abstract Reasoning (patterns, shape rotation). High speed and accuracy are crucial for progression to physical and psychological assessment phases.

Assessment

51 multiple-choice questions in 20 minutes (CCAT format)

Time Limit

20 minutes

Passing Score

Cohort-based competitive scoring

Exam Fee

Free (Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) / Criteria Corp)

FRNSW Cognitive Test Exam Content Outline

35%

Verbal Reasoning

Word analogies, sentence completion, vocabulary synonyms and antonyms, and basic logical deductions.

35%

Numerical Reasoning

Math word problems, percentages, ratios, basic algebra, work/rate problems, and number series.

30%

Spatial/Abstract Reasoning

Pattern recognition, shape rotation, spatial relations, geometric analogies, and cube folding.

How to Pass the FRNSW Cognitive Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Cohort-based competitive scoring
  • Assessment: 51 multiple-choice questions in 20 minutes (CCAT format)
  • Time limit: 20 minutes
  • Exam fee: Free

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FRNSW Cognitive Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Work on speed: You have less than 24 seconds per question, so practice skipping extremely difficult questions to secure easier marks.
2Master percentages and ratios: These form the bulk of the numerical reasoning section.
3Understand number series rules: Practice identifying geometric, arithmetic, and secondary difference patterns.
4Analyze spatial relationships: Work on mentally rotating shapes 90 and 180 degrees and practice cube-folding rules.
5Improve vocabulary: Review common word analogies and antonym/synonym relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FRNSW Cognitive Ability Test?

The FRNSW Cognitive Ability Test is a pre-employment aptitude test used by Fire and Rescue NSW to screen firefighter candidates. It is based on the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) format and assesses critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to learn and process new information quickly.

How many questions are on the test and what is the time limit?

The test consists of 51 multiple-choice questions to be completed in exactly 20 minutes. This leaves only about 23.5 seconds per question, making time management and speed crucial factors.

What topics are covered on the cognitive test?

The test covers three main areas: Verbal Reasoning (word analogies, sentence completion), Numerical Reasoning (math word problems, number series, percentages), and Spatial/Abstract Reasoning (shape rotation, pattern completion).

What is a passing score for the FRNSW Cognitive Test?

There is no fixed passing score; instead, candidates are ranked, and only the top-performing applicants are invited to progress to the Physical Aptitude Test (PAT). Scoring above the 70th percentile is generally considered a competitive baseline.

How much does the cognitive test cost?

There is no fee for the test. It is fully administered and paid for by Fire and Rescue NSW as part of their recruitment screening process.