100+ Free UK Firefighter NFA Practice Questions
Pass your National Firefighter Selection Process - National Firefighter Ability (NFA) Tests exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
An appliance log shows mobilisation at 13:50 and arrival at 13:58. The service target is to arrive within 10 minutes. By how many minutes did the crew beat the target?
Explore More UK Civil Service Assessments
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: UK Firefighter NFA Exam
3 tests
Multiple-Choice NFA Ability Tests
NFA Tests Technical Manual (GOV.UK)
32 / 45 min
Working with Numbers Questions / Time
NFA Tests Technical Manual (GOV.UK)
25 questions
Understanding Information Test
NFA Tests Technical Manual (GOV.UK)
30 / 35 min
Situational Awareness Questions / Time
NFA Tests Technical Manual (GOV.UK)
T-score
Standardised Scoring, No Negative Marking
NFA Tests Technical Manual (GOV.UK)
No fee
Cost to Sit the Tests
UK Fire and Rescue Services
The National Firefighter Ability (NFA) tests are the UK fire service's multiple-choice ability tests. Three written tests are used: Working with Numbers (32 questions, 45 minutes, no calculator), Understanding Information (25 questions, about 30-35 minutes), and Situational Awareness & Problem-Solving (30 questions, 35 minutes). Every question has four options and one correct answer, with one mark each and no negative marking. There is no fixed pass percentage; raw scores become standardised T-scores and candidates are ranked within each Fire and Rescue Service campaign.
Sample UK Firefighter NFA Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your UK Firefighter NFA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A firefighter enters a building at 14:37 with a breathing-apparatus cylinder holding 38 minutes of air. The time is now 14:49. How much air remains?
2A length of hose is 25 metres. A crew connects 4 lengths together. How long is the combined hose line?
3A pressure gauge reads 8 bar at the start of an operation and 3 bar at the end. By how many bar did the pressure fall?
4A water tank holds 1,800 litres. A pump discharges water at 450 litres per minute. How long will the tank last at this rate?
5A fire appliance travels 30 miles to an incident at an average speed of 60 miles per hour. How many minutes does the journey take?
6A community fire-safety team fitted 240 smoke alarms across 4 weeks, fitting the same number each week. How many were fitted per week?
7A ladder is extended to 13.5 metres. The first section is 7 metres long. How long is the extended section?
8A crew of 5 firefighters shares 35 sandbags equally to build a flood barrier. How many sandbags does each firefighter handle?
9An appliance carries 1,200 litres of water. After a knockdown, 35% has been used. How many litres remain?
10A bar chart shows house fires by month: January 18, February 14, March 22. What was the total for these three months?
About the UK Firefighter NFA Exam
The National Firefighter Ability (NFA) tests are the multiple-choice ability tests within the National Firefighter Selection Process used by UK Fire and Rescue Services. There are three written ability tests: Working with Numbers (32 questions in 45 minutes), Understanding Information (25 questions in roughly 30-35 minutes), and Situational Awareness & Problem-Solving (30 questions in 35 minutes). Each question has four options and one correct answer, with one mark per correct response and no penalty for wrong answers. Raw scores are converted to standardised T-scores so a candidate's performance can be compared against a representative benchmark group, and the ability tests sit alongside a separate National Firefighter Questionnaire and practical physical selection tests.
Questions
87 scored questions
Time Limit
Working with Numbers 45 min; Understanding Information 30-35 min; Situational Awareness & Problem-Solving 35 min
Passing Score
No fixed pass percentage; raw scores are converted to standardised T-scores and ranked against a benchmark
Exam Fee
No charge to sit the tests (Individual UK Fire and Rescue Services (England & Wales), using the nationally developed National Firefighter Ability tests under the NFCC framework)
UK Firefighter NFA Exam Content Outline
Working with Numbers
Numerical reasoning from firefighter scenarios: gauges, hose lengths, air-cylinder durations, percentages, and community fire-safety data. 32 questions in 45 minutes, no calculator allowed.
Understanding Information
Verbal reasoning that extracts relevant information from memos, leaflets, newsletters, and safety signs, answering using only the information given. 25 questions in about 30-35 minutes.
Situational Awareness & Problem-Solving
Situational judgement on safety, teamwork, integrity, resilience, and the firefighter Personal Qualities and Attributes. 30 questions in 35 minutes.
How to Pass the UK Firefighter NFA Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed pass percentage; raw scores are converted to standardised T-scores and ranked against a benchmark
- Exam length: 87 questions
- Time limit: Working with Numbers 45 min; Understanding Information 30-35 min; Situational Awareness & Problem-Solving 35 min
- Exam fee: No charge to sit the tests
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
UK Firefighter NFA Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the National Firefighter Ability (NFA) tests?
The NFA tests are the multiple-choice ability tests within the UK National Firefighter Selection Process. They comprise Working with Numbers, Understanding Information, and Situational Awareness & Problem-Solving, and assess aptitudes needed for the firefighter role rather than prior firefighting knowledge.
How many questions and how long is each test?
Working with Numbers has 32 questions in 45 minutes, Understanding Information has 25 questions in roughly 30-35 minutes, and Situational Awareness & Problem-Solving has 30 questions in 35 minutes. Every question has four options and one correct answer.
Who administers the NFA tests?
Individual UK Fire and Rescue Services administer the tests as part of their recruitment campaigns, using the nationally developed NFA test materials. Many services now run the ability tests online, while others use assessment centres.
What score do I need to pass?
There is no single fixed pass percentage. You score one mark per correct answer with no penalty for wrong answers, and raw scores are converted to standardised T-scores. Each service ranks candidates against a benchmark and decides who progresses.
Can I use a calculator on the Working with Numbers test?
No. The Working with Numbers test must be completed using mental arithmetic, although rough working paper is allowed. Questions cover addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, and reading charts and tables.
Is the physical test part of these multiple-choice tests?
No. The practical physical selection tests, such as the ladder climb, ladder lift, equipment carry, and breathing-apparatus crawl, are separate. This practice focuses only on the three written multiple-choice ability tests.
What is the best way to prepare?
Practise each test under timed conditions, drill no-calculator arithmetic for Working with Numbers, train yourself to answer Understanding Information using only the text provided, and ground Situational Awareness answers in safety and the firefighter Personal Qualities and Attributes.
Can I retake the tests if I am unsuccessful?
Retakes are tied to recruitment campaigns. If you are not successful, you can reapply when your chosen Fire and Rescue Service opens a new campaign, subject to that service's reapplication rules and timescales.