National Fire Select Test — Your Complete Guide
The NFST is used by fire departments across Canada — from Halifax to Vancouver — and throughout the United States. What makes it unique: it's modular. Your department picks which of the six sections to include, so no two NFST administrations are exactly alike. This page covers all six sections so you're prepared no matter what combination you face.
The National Fire Select Test (NFST) is a standardized firefighter aptitude exam created by Fire & Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI) — the same company behind the FACT test. It is used by fire departments across Canada and the United States as part of the entry-level recruitment process.
What sets the NFST apart from other firefighter tests is its modular design. The test has six sections, but individual departments choose which sections to include in their version of the exam — some use all six, others a subset. This means the total number of questions, time limit, and content areas vary depending on where you're applying. FPSI does not publish a standard question count, time limit, or score validity period on its NFST product page, so your department's recruitment package is the authority.
The NFST is a timed, multiple-choice, computer-based test. Your score is based solely on the number of correct answers — there is no penalty for wrong answers, so you should always answer every question even if you need to guess. Passing scores are set by individual departments.
The NFST is administered by individual fire departments or through FPSI. It is not the OFAI test: Stage One of the Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI) process is the FACT, which FPSI also publishes. Some departments offer remote or online proctored testing.
Which NFST? The "NFST" abbreviation is also used by Stanard & Associates for a separate test, and I/O Solutions publishes a related NFSI (National Firefighter Selection Inventory). FireStart's NFST coverage refers specifically to FPSI's National Fire Select Test.
Total Questions
Varies (modular)
Sections
6 available, dept. chooses
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice
Scoring
Correct answers, no penalty
Passing Score
Set by the department
Creator
Fire & Police Selection Inc. (FPSI)
The NFST has six possible sections. Your department will use some or all of them. We cover every section below so you can prepare for any combination. If you know which sections your department includes, focus your study time there — but if you're unsure, prepare for all six.
Fire-related passages followed by five questions each. All answers are found within the passage text. Passages cover topics like emergency procedures, department policies, and fire safety regulations. You'll need to read quickly and accurately — comprehension speed matters as much as accuracy.
What it tests
Detail extraction, main idea, inference, vocabulary in context
FireStart prep
6 lessons + 175 practice questions
Basic math functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages. Questions are set in firefighting contexts — calculating water flow rates, equipment weights, response distances, and supply quantities. Some questions may require basic math calculations alongside reading a passage.
What it tests
Arithmetic operations, percentages, word problems, applied math
FireStart prep
8 lessons + 420 practice questions
Job-related directional and map questions. Navigate provided maps to find locations, plan routes, and answer spatial reasoning questions. Maps include street grids, landmarks, directional indicators, and distance scales.
What it tests
Grid references, route planning, cardinal directions, distance estimation, legend reading
FireStart prep
5 lessons + 130 practice questions
Sentence completion, synonyms, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. These questions assess your ability to produce clear, professional written communications — essential for the incident reports, memos, and documentation firefighters write daily.
What it tests
Grammar rules, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, sentence structure
FireStart prep
6 lessons + 100 practice questions
Scenario-based questions where you read a short paragraph describing a workplace situation, then answer two questions: one asking for the most appropriate response and one asking for the least appropriate response. The same four answer options are used for both questions.
This section measures honesty, integrity, teamwork, commitment, and emotional stability. Some FPSI tests label this section 'Interpersonal Competencies' or 'Contextual Simulation' — it's the same content under different names.
What it tests
Interpersonal skills, teamwork, conflict resolution, integrity, emotional stability
FireStart prep
5 lessons + 200 practice questions
A mixed section with multiple question formats: spatial rotation, vocabulary, number series, error checking, and sequencing. This section tests your general cognitive reasoning ability and typically appears as the sixth section when departments choose to include it.
What it tests
Spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, logical sequencing, vocabulary, error detection
FireStart prep
Covered across multiple lesson modules
Your department chooses which sections to include. Contact your department or check their recruitment posting to find out which NFST sections you'll face. If you can't find out, prepare for all six — it's better to be over-prepared than caught off guard.
Unlike the FACT (110 questions) or the CPS (about 100 questions), the NFST is assembled from a menu of six sections. Here's how different departments might configure it:
Example A — Full NFST
All 6 Sections
For departments that want comprehensive screening
Example B — Core 4
Communication & Judgment Focus
Focuses on communication and judgment
Example C — Aptitude Focus
Cognitive & Spatial Skills
Emphasizes cognitive and spatial skills
FPSI doesn't publish question counts for the NFST, and the department decides which sections you sit. Always check your specific recruitment posting for the length and timing of your test.
The NFST is used by fire departments across Canada and the United States. In Canada, it's administered by individual departments or through FPSI directly — not through OFAI, whose Stage One test is the FACT.
Departments listed with the NFST in FireStart's directory include Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services.
Note: Vancouver Fire Rescue Services adds a component with questions derived from IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting, 6th Edition — an additional section unique to their recruitment.
Browse all NFST departments →NFST test locations vary by department. Some departments hold testing at their own facilities, others use centralized testing centres, and some offer remote or online proctored testing through FPSI. Check your department's recruitment posting for the specific location and registration process.
Calculators, dictionaries, and web-enabled devices are prohibited. You cannot leave the examination room during timed sections. Specific rules may vary by department — follow all instructions provided on test day.
Arrive at least 45 minutes early. Ask your department how the sections are timed and pace yourself accordingly. Remember: there's no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank — always make your best guess.
The NFST is scored by counting the number of correct answers. There is no penalty for incorrect answers — your score only goes up, never down. This means you should always answer every question, even if you're unsure.
Passing scores are set by individual fire departments, not by FPSI, and some departments weight certain sections more heavily than others in their overall scoring. Check the cut score for your specific competition.
Because the NFST is modular, your preparation strategy depends on which sections your target department uses. If you know the sections, focus your study time proportionally. If you don't know, the safest approach is to cover all six areas with extra attention on Human Relations — its scenario-based format rewards specific practice.
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
You might not know which sections your department uses — so prepare for all six. With FireStart, you get 41 lessons, 1,355+ practice questions, and real-time tracking of your readiness.
Get Full Access — $67/yearOne subscription covers prep for all five Canadian firefighter tests.
FireStart.ca is an independent test preparation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Fire & Police Selection, Inc. (FPSI), the Ontario Fire Administration Inc. (OFAI), 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 your department or FPSI at fpsi.com.