Cooperative Personnel Services Entry-Level Exam — Your Complete Guide
The CPS is the firefighter aptitude test administered by Firefighter Services of Ontario (FireOntario) and used by a number of Ontario fire departments, particularly those outside the OFAI member group. It's multiple choice and covers four areas: understanding oral information, reading comprehension, mathematical ability and mechanical aptitude. You need 70% to pass — and a higher score to be competitive, because many departments rank candidates by score.
The Cooperative Personnel Services (CPS) Entry-Level Firefighter Test is a standardized multiple-choice exam created by CPS HR Consulting, based in Sacramento, California. In Canada, it is administered by Firefighter Services of Ontario Ltd. (FireOntario) — the sole current administering body — and used by a number of Ontario fire departments.
The CPS is a multiple-choice exam. Firefighter Services of Ontario doesn't publish its question count or time limit, so check your test invitation. Unlike the FACT, the CPS gives you a numerical percentage score — you'll know exactly how you did. You need at least 70% to pass, but many departments rank applicants by score, so aim well above the minimum.
Calculators, cell phones and smart watches aren't allowed, and scrap paper is provided for problem solving. It covers four content areas, as listed by Firefighter Services of Ontario: Understanding Oral Information (listening), Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Ability (no calculators) and Mechanical Aptitude. Some departments' versions also include maps, diagrams and mechanical drawings.
Total Questions
Not published by FSO
Time Limit
Not published by FSO
Format
Multiple choice
Scoring
Numerical % (0–100%)
Passing Score
70% minimum
Cost
$90 (via FireOntario)
Certificate Validity
1 year (via FireOntario)
The CPS covers four content areas. Unlike the FACT, it has no personality section, so your aptitude and reasoning skills drive your score.
Questions on information you hear, such as instructions or a briefing. Firefighter Services of Ontario lists it first among the exam's four content areas, and the FACT has no listening section, so practise hearing a passage once and answering from memory.
What it tests
Listening, recall of details, following spoken instructions
FireStart prep
5 lessons + 130 practice questions
You'll read passages and answer questions about the information presented. Passages may cover fire service procedures, incident reports, or general workplace scenarios. All answers can be found within the text.
What it tests
Main idea, detail extraction, inference, vocabulary in context
FireStart prep
6 lessons + 175 practice questions
Arithmetic, word problems, and data interpretation set in fire service contexts. Expect calculations involving response times, equipment measurements, water volume, budgets, and data from tables and graphs. No calculator allowed — scrap paper is provided.
What it tests
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, fractions, word problems, graphs and charts
FireStart prep
8 lessons + 420 practice questions
Questions about pulleys, levers, gears, gas laws, pressure systems, and firefighting tools. You'll need to understand basic physics concepts and how mechanical systems work — critical knowledge for operating ladders, hydraulic rescue tools, and pumping systems.
What it tests
Pulleys, levers, gears, pressure and hydraulics, tools, basic physics
FireStart prep
6 lessons + 200 practice questions
Per-section question counts aren't confirmed by official sources, so we don't list them. Contact FireOntario or your department to confirm the current test format before you sit it.
The CPS test is administered by Firefighter Services of Ontario (FireOntario) and used by a number of Ontario fire departments, particularly those outside the OFAI member group.
FireStart's department directory shows which departments list the CPS. Check your target department's recruitment page or fireontario.com for the latest list.
CPS tests are scheduled by Firefighter Services of Ontario at various locations across Ontario. Check fireontario.com for upcoming test dates and register through their website. Cost: $90.
Cell phones, smart watches and calculators aren't permitted. Scrap paper is provided for problem solving.
Arrive at least one hour early. Firefighter Services of Ontario doesn't publish the time limit, so check it on your invitation and work out your pace per question before you start. Don't get stuck on any single question.
Unlike the FACT, the CPS gives you an actual score — a percentage from 0 to 100. The pass mark is 70%, but passing alone may not be enough. Many fire departments rank candidates by their CPS score and interview from the top of the list, so every point above the pass mark helps.
Your CPS certificate through FireOntario is valid for one year. Re-attempt windows are set by Firefighter Services of Ontario and the administering department — check with FireOntario or your target department for specific waiting periods.
FireStart.ca teaches the material — not just tests you on it. Our lesson-first approach means you learn the concepts before you drill.
41 guided lessons across all 7 categories. Each lesson teaches a specific skill with embedded practice quizzes and real firefighter scenarios.
516 minutes of instruction
4 practice modes — Practice, Quick Drill, Weak Spots, and Daily Challenge. Category filters let you drill exactly where you need it.
1,355+ practice questions
Your dashboard shows readiness scores, category performance, study streaks, and gap analysis. Know exactly where you stand.
Real-time progress tracking
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Departments rank candidates by score — every percentage point matters. With FireStart, you get 41 lessons, 1,120+ practice questions, and real-time tracking of your readiness. For less than the cost of a single test attempt.
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FireStart.ca is an independent test preparation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to CPS HR Consulting, Firefighter Services of Ontario Ltd. (FireOntario), or any fire department. All test details are based on publicly available information and verified against official sources. Always confirm current test details directly with FireOntario at fireontario.com.