Pearson Vue Practice Test Firefighter – How to Become a Firefighter

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Pearson Vue Practice Test Firefighter – Pass the Pearson Vue Cognitive Aptitude Test

The key to beating the competition? Great Preparation! I will cover everything you need to know about acing the Pearson Vue Firefighter Cognitive Test and getting ahead of the pack right now!

We’ll break it down for you: When it comes to successfully applying to start your career as a firefighter it can be extremely tough and takes some people many years. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t give yourself the absolute best edge through the right type of preparation.

Knowing what to expect and making sure you have a solid understanding of all the steps involved in your firefighter recruitment journey will set you up well to put your best foot forward and get a strong application in.

And that’s exactly what we’re here for. 

What is Pearson Vue?

Many versions of these tests are available from different companies, and various organisations will use the one that most closely aligns with their industry and what they’re attempting to determine from potential firefighter recruits. Different Australian states may use other companies to administer their tests for them and they can vary vastly.

Pearson Vue is one such company that administers these tests for firefighter recruitment. At this point in time you will be taking a test with Pearson Vue if your applying to become a firefighter in Victoria with FRV or Your Applying to become a firefighter in Queensland with QFES.

It is important to know this as although these 2 services currently use the same test provider in Pearson Vue, the tests that you will sit in each case can be quite different.

For example recently the FRV tests have been much more difficult than this years QFES tests, so if you have sat one and are thinking the next will be the same because it’s administered by the same company you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle.

What Does the Pearson Vue Firefighter Test Involve?

Victoria and Queensland both use Pearson Vue to administer their cognitive aptitude tests as part of their firefighter recruitment selection process. 

Both of these states have a slightly different process:

Phase One Phase Two
Fire Rescue Victoria In your initial screening, you will be asked to complete several timed reasoning tests including: 

  • Abstract Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Numerical Sequences
  • Mechanical Reasoning
Next, you will be asked to complete a Personality Test to determine your suitability as a firefighter.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services First, you will be asked to complete a timed mechanical test that includes a list of test questions based on mechanical principles, such as pullies and gears. Next, you will be asked to complete the Pearson Vue cognitive ability test that includes:

 

  • Abstract Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Numerical Sequences 

For more detailed information about becoming a Firefighter in Queensland 

For more detailed information about how to become a Firefighter in Victoria 

What Happens if I Fail the Pearson Vue Firefighter Test?

Firstly: let’s plan on passing it with the using the technique outlined in the aptitude improvement blueprint and the correct type of pearson vue practice test questions for the service that you’re applying to.

BUT – If you do fail, don’t panic! You will be able to resit the test, but how long you’ll have to wait depends on the state you’re applying in. 

Failing the test can add some serious waiting time to your entire application. Most people fail the firefighter cognitive ability test due to nerves and not due to their ability. 

We know from experience how rattling these tests can be, but they don’t have to be. with the proper preparation and support, you can calm those nerves and ace your test.

How is the Pearson Vue Firefighter Test Structured?

The test is entirely computer-based. Each core section is a series of multiple-choice questions and individually timed. 

Before commencing the test, you will be asked to agree to a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), stating you will not share information about the test or the questions contained with others. You will be given five minutes to read through and agree to the NDA. After five minutes, if you have not accepted the NDA, the test will terminate.

Once you agree to the NDA, you will be given a ten-minute tutorial to provide a general overview of how to navigate through the screens and the questions, including how to lodge your answers. You’ll also be given a practice question for each component of the test to help prepare you for what to expect.

At the start of each section of the test is a brief introduction with instructions and directions on the questions contained within that section.

You will have a designated amount of time to complete each section. Once the timer ends or you click ‘next’ past a question of a section, you will not be able to return it. Here’s how the time is structured for each component of the test:

Abstract Reasoning 25 test questions over 25 minutes
Numerical Sequences 25 test items over 20 minutes
Verbal Reasoning 25 test questions over 20 minutes
Mechanical Reasoning 55 test questions over 25 minutes

As you can see, there are quite a few questions to get through and not a whole lot of time. 

Many potential recruits get knocked out of the recruitment process through these tests. We’re not saying that to alarm you, but to help you set your expectations for the work you’ll need to do to understand and prepare for these tests if you want to succeed.

For the rest of this article, we’re going to break down each of the Pearson Vue Firefighter Test components and dive into what some of the questions might look like.

Here is a quick video of our firefighter aptitude test coach going over some Numerical questions from Pearson Vue for FRV

What to Expect from Abstract Reasoning Questions

Abstract test questions are non-verbal problems, which means there is no text. 

These questions typically present you with a sequence of abstract shapes with a common pattern or rule that they are adhering to. Your goal is to determine the next correct shape in the series that follows the same rule.

Abstract questions in the Pearson Vue test are timed and are forced-choice, meaning each question has 5 answer options, and only one is correct.

Here’s an example:

Pearson Vue Practice Test Firefighter - example mechanical reasoning
For this sequence, determine the correct shape in the set from the following list:

Pearson Vue Practice Test example answers

The correct answer is Number 5

This is the only piece that correctly completes the pattern going across the row and down the column. 

Numbers 1 and 2 complete the pattern of one solid line going down the column but do not complete the three-dotted lines going across the row. Number 4 correctly completes the pattern of three-dotted lines going across the row but does not complete the pattern of one solid line going down the column. Number three does not satisfy the pattern of three-dotted lines going across the row and does not complete the pattern of one solid line going down the column. 

Number 5 is the only answer that works going across the row and down the column. 

What to Expect from Verbal Reasoning Questions

These questions are designed to test your ability to identify the connections between different words and their meaning. They also measure your ability to process verbal information.

The verbal reasoning questions in the Pearson Vue firefighter test are multiple-choice and grouped into three different categories:

Category One List of Statements Find the two statements that together prove: Kelly has brown hair.

 

  1. Kelly has long hair.
  2. Rachael has brown hair. 
  3. Rachael is ten years old.
  4. Kelly’s hair is the same colour as Rachael’s.
  5. Rachael has short hair.
To answer this question, you need to find the two answers that prove the statement. The answer is 2 and 4 since we from these we know that Rachael’s hair is brown and Kelly’s is the same colour.
Category Two Odd One Out Four of the following words are alike in some way. Which is the odd word out? 

  1. Petrified 
  2. Fearful
  3. Terrified 
  4. Daring 
  5. Scared
Most of these words have a common theme to be afraid – all except ‘daring’, which might mean to be a bit afraid, but is more commonly used to express overcoming a fear. Daring is the odd one out.
Category Three Word Associations BIRDS are to FLY as HORSE is to: 

  1. Speed 
  2. Grass 
  3. Legs 
  4. Paddock 
  5. Trot
While you could associate all of these words with ‘horse’, we want the one like ‘fly’ to birds. The correct answer is trot, as it is a movement made by a horse like fly is a movement made by a bird.

What to Expect from Numerical Sequences

Numerical Sequences are intended to measure your ability to recognise relationships across numbers and determine a pattern to decide on the following logical number in the sequence. 

These questions are in the form of grids, with one or two values missing. Question marks represent missing numbers. 

You need to identify the relationship across and establish the missing numbers from six possible answers. 

Here’s an example:

Pearson Vue Practice Test - firefighter numerical test

For this sequence, determine the correct numbers in the set from the following list:

Pearson Vue Practice Test - Firefighter numerical answers

The correct answer for this sequence is 7 & 40 – the fifth answer.

The numbers in the top row form a sequence that increases by three (1 + 3 = 4, 4 + 3 = 7). The numbers in the bottom row are obtained by multiplying the numbers in the top row by four (for example, 1 x 4 = 4, 4 x 4 = 16).

What to Expect from Mechanical Reasoning Questions

Mechanical reasoning questions are designed to measure your ability to apply basic mechanical and physical principles to problem solve. 

For each question, you will be provided with images and asked questions to measure different categories of mechanical comprehension. These questions are multiple-choice.

Here’s an example:

Pearson-Vue-Practice-Test-mechanical-reasoning

The correct answer here is C. 

This seat is positioned comfortably between the wheels and will offer the smoothest ride compared with B, directly over a wheel and A, unbalanced at the back of the vehicle.

Where to Get Help

We have created specific and continuously updated resources to ensure you have the edge over the others. When I say the others I’m talking about the guys that simply look for “free aptitude tests” and think they are in with a chance

Here are four ways I can help you Get The Edge over the competition:

  1. Get my FREE Training “How to Become Firefighter without wasting time”: I conduct free training to show you the proven roadmap on becoming a firefighter without wasting time and money. Click Here
  2. Join our Firefighter Recruitment Training page: It’s our new Facebook community where smart, aspiring firefighters learn how to get the edge and land in the top 5%.  Click Here
  3. Join our Membership Implementation Program: Get access to all courses and software, LIVE Q&A group, access to the industry’s best aptitude, and interview coaches. Get into the Top 5% of Applicants: Click Here
  4. Work with the team and me privately: If you’d like to work directly with the team and me to give yourself the best chance for your upcoming recruitment campaign, let us know a little about your situation to see if we are a good fit for each other. Click Here

Cognitive tests aren’t designed to catch you out. It might seem counterintuitive to tell you not to ‘overthink it’ but that’s the pathway to success here! 

Dedicate some time to understanding what these tests are about, calm those nerves, and pass the test.

Conclusion – Pearson Vue Practice Firefighter

Your firefighter recruitment journey will be made up of a series of tests. A core component of these will be the Cognitive Aptitude Tests

  • You Must know what your being tested on in order to do well
  • If you do nothing else – Use my free aptitude improvement blueprint
  • Pearson Vue tests can vary from fire service to fire service
  • It is not enough to just study generic aptitude questions, you will get stumped on the day – please don’t do this, I see it all the time and it usually costs you a year or more of your life waiting

Good luck on your upcoming application, the journey is well worth the effort.

I hope this has been helpful, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Regards,

Brent

PS – If you want to chat about how I may be able to help YOU specifically get into the fire service you can book into my team calendar here for a chat

 

Extra Resources –
What are Firefighter Aptitude Tests?

Cognitive Aptitude  – also known as Cognitive Ability Testing – are designed to help predict your future performance for a specific job role. Cognitive ability is really just another term for intelligence, problem-solving, decision-making, or reasoning ability. 

These questionnaires are made up of a series of smaller tests that target specific areas of cognitive ability. They aim to assess your capacity to process, use, retain and organise information coherently.

 Pearson Vue Practice test firefighter information

You can check out the Pearson Vue Firefighter Test dedicated pages and complete a short practice test via their website. unfortunately they don’t give quite enough information to get the results you are going to need but i thought I’d include it anyway. 

Brent C

After becoming a Firefighter, I developed a massive interest in the Fire Services Recruitment and Selection Processes. I've been in the fire service working since 2007 to learn everything about how Fire Services Recruitment works. I've tested and refined proven methods to help people get the edge over the competition. Today, over 300 of my former students are living their Firefighter dream.

FREE TRAINING: Become a Firefighter Without Wasting Years of Your Life!

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