200+ Free Houston Firefighter Practice Questions
Pass your Houston Fire Department Firefighter Selection Tool (FST) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
A firefighter earns $24 per hour and works a 12-hour shift. Overtime beyond 8 hours in a shift is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. What is the total pay for the shift?
Explore More Civil Service Exams
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
More From This Family
Videos and articles for deeper review.
Key Facts: Houston Firefighter Exam
80
Cognitive Section Questions
City of Houston FST Preparation Guide
2 hours
Cognitive Section Time Limit
IO Solutions
8 abilities
Cognitive Areas Measured
City of Houston FST Preparation Guide
70%
Minimum Passing Score
City of Houston / Public Safety Testing
120 items
Non-Cognitive Scale Section
City of Houston FST Preparation Guide
18-36 yrs
Eligible Age Range
Houston Fire Department FAQs
The Houston Fire Department's Firefighter Selection Tool (FST), administered by IO Solutions, includes an 80-question Cognitive Abilities section completed in two hours plus a 120-item non-cognitive scale (30 minutes). The cognitive section measures eight abilities: deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning, spatial orientation, visualization, written comprehension, and written expression. Candidates must score at least 70% to pass. No firefighting knowledge or calculators are required or allowed.
Sample Houston Firefighter Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Houston Firefighter exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Department rule: "A firefighter may not enter a burning structure alone; entry into an Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) atmosphere requires at least two firefighters working together." A firefighter arrives at a working house fire and is the only crew member on scene. According to the rule, the firefighter should:
2Policy states: "All apparatus must be refueled when the tank drops below one-quarter full at the end of a shift." Engine 7 ends its shift with the fuel gauge reading exactly one-half full. Based on the policy, the crew should:
3Rule: "Ladders must be inspected before each use. Any ladder with a cracked rung must be removed from service immediately." During inspection, a firefighter finds a ladder with one cracked rung. According to the rule, the firefighter must:
4A station has this rule: "Probationary firefighters may not drive the apparatus. Only firefighters who have completed the Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) may drive." Firefighter Lee is a probationary firefighter who has completed EVOC. May Lee drive the apparatus?
5Department guideline: "Hazardous-materials incidents at Level 3 require notifying the Regional HazMat Team. Level 1 and Level 2 incidents are handled by the on-scene company." A spill is classified as Level 2. The on-scene officer should:
6Rule: "Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) must be worn whenever the air-quality monitor reads above 19.5% oxygen is NOT met, OR when carbon monoxide exceeds 35 ppm." A reading shows oxygen at 20.9% and carbon monoxide at 50 ppm. Must SCBA be worn?
7Standard operating procedure: "On a confirmed structure fire, the first-arriving engine establishes a water supply unless a truck company is already securing the hydrant." Engine 3 arrives first, and no truck company is present. Engine 3 must:
8Rule: "A patient must be transported by ambulance if they are unconscious, OR have chest pain, OR show signs of a stroke. Otherwise, transport is optional." A patient is conscious, has no chest pain, but is slurring speech and has a drooping face (signs of a stroke). Must this patient be transported?
9Policy: "Firefighters with fewer than two years of service must be paired with a senior firefighter on all overhaul operations." Firefighter Nguyen has 18 months of service. During overhaul, Nguyen should:
10Rule: "During a high-rise fire, the staging area is established two floors below the fire floor." A fire is reported on the 14th floor of an apartment building. The staging area should be established on the:
About the Houston Firefighter Exam
The Firefighter Selection Tool (FST) is the entry-level written examination used by the Houston Fire Department, administered by Industrial-Organizational Solutions (IO Solutions). The FST has two sections: a 120-item non-cognitive scale measuring personality and biographical data (30 minutes) and an 80-item Cognitive Abilities section (2 hours). The Cognitive Abilities section measures eight distinct abilities — deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning, spatial orientation, visualization, written comprehension, and written expression. The FST does not test job-specific firefighting knowledge, and candidates must score at least 70% to pass. No calculators or other aids are permitted.
Questions
80 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours (Cognitive Abilities section); plus 30 minutes for the 120-item non-cognitive section
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
No separate FST registration fee; testing is part of the City of Houston civil service hiring process (Industrial-Organizational Solutions (IO Solutions) for the City of Houston Fire Department)
Houston Firefighter Exam Content Outline
Deductive Reasoning
Applying given rules, policies, and principles to specific situations to reach a correct conclusion
Inductive Reasoning
Combining pieces of information such as witness accounts to draw the most supported conclusion
Information Ordering
Identifying the best or proper order of actions and steps to complete a task safely
Mathematical Reasoning
Basic arithmetic plus choosing the right formula: fractions, percentages, rates, area, volume, and elapsed time
Spatial Orientation
Using maps and building diagrams to navigate, find routes, and orient by compass direction
Visualization
Imagining how objects look after rotation, folding, or rearrangement and how mechanical parts interact
Written Comprehension
Reading fire-related passages and recalling facts, extracting details, and drawing conclusions
Written Expression
Correct vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction for reports and logs
How to Pass the Houston Firefighter Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 80 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours (Cognitive Abilities section); plus 30 minutes for the 120-item non-cognitive section
- Exam fee: No separate FST registration fee; testing is part of the City of Houston civil service hiring process
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Houston Firefighter Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Houston Firefighter Selection Tool (FST)?
The FST is the entry-level written exam for the Houston Fire Department, administered by IO Solutions. It has an 80-question Cognitive Abilities section completed in two hours and a separate 120-item non-cognitive scale completed in 30 minutes. The cognitive section measures eight distinct abilities.
Who administers the Houston firefighter exam?
The FST is administered by Industrial-Organizational Solutions (IO Solutions) on behalf of the City of Houston Fire Department. Candidates apply through the City of Houston and are invited to test as part of the civil service hiring process.
How many questions are on the FST and how long is it?
The Cognitive Abilities section has 80 multiple-choice questions with four answer options each, completed in two hours. A separate non-cognitive section has 120 scale items completed in 30 minutes, measuring personality and biographical data rather than right or wrong answers.
What score do I need to pass the FST?
Candidates must score at least 70% on the written examination to pass. Higher scores improve ranking on the eligibility list, which is competitive for academy placement.
What cognitive abilities does the FST measure?
The cognitive section measures eight abilities: deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning, spatial orientation, visualization, written comprehension, and written expression. It does not test job-specific firefighting knowledge.
Do I need firefighting experience or a calculator for the FST?
No firefighting experience or specialized knowledge is required to succeed on the FST. Calculators, dictionaries, spelling aids, and web-enabled devices are not permitted; only pen and paper are allowed.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the FST?
No. FST scores are based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for wrong answers. Candidates should answer every question, since a random guess still has roughly a 25% chance of being correct.
What are the age and education requirements?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not more than 36 years old at the time of taking the oath of office, and must hold a high school diploma or GED. Additional steps include a physical ability test, background check, and medical and psychological evaluations.