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Video-Based Exam

The NTN FireTEAM Test

Fire Training, Entry-Level Assessment & Measurement — Your Complete Guide

The FireTEAM is unlike any other firefighter test in Canada. It's largely video-based — three of its four sections play as real-world scenarios on screen, and you answer questions about what you observed. No pen. No paper. No calculator. All math is done in your head. Used by fire departments across North America, the FireTEAM tests human relations and teamwork in a two-part video section — the qualities that separate good firefighters from great ones.

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~170 Questions~2 HoursVideo-Based

What Is the NTN FireTEAM?

The FireTEAM (Fire Training, Entry-level Assessment and Measurement) is a video-based cognitive and behavioral assessment developed by Ergometrics & Applied Personnel Research, Inc. and delivered through the National Testing Network (NTN) — two separate organizations working in partnership. It is used by fire departments across the United States and Canada.

The test contains approximately 170 questions across four sections. NTN's official figure is about two hours; candidates commonly report two to two and a half hours in total. What makes it unique among all five major Canadian firefighter tests is the video format — in three of the four sections, you watch video scenarios depicting realistic firefighter situations and then answer questions about what you saw.

The FireTEAM is computer-based with a critical restriction: no writing instruments, calculators, or paper are allowed. All mathematical calculations must be performed mentally. This simulates the real-world conditions where firefighters make quick calculations in the field without tools.

There is no single FireTEAM pass mark. NTN sends your results to the departments you authorize, and each department sets its own minimum standards and decides how much weight each section carries.

Total Questions

~170 across 4 sections

Time Limit

~2 hours (per NTN)

Format

Computer-based; 3 of 4 sections on video

Passing Scores

Set by each department

Creator

Ergometrics (delivered by NTN)

Pen/Paper/Calculator

Not allowed

Score Validity

12 months

What's on the FireTEAM? — Section Breakdown

The FireTEAM has four sections. Human Relations is delivered by video in two parts; Mechanical Aptitude and Math are also video-based; Reading is on-screen text. Per-section question counts and timings aren't confirmed by official sources, so we don't list them — prepare evenly and practise sustaining focus for about two hours.

Human Relations

Video · Part I and Part II

You'll watch video scenarios depicting firefighter workplace situations — conflicts with colleagues, interactions with the public, chain of command decisions, and ethical dilemmas. After each scenario, you answer questions about the characters' behavior and choose the best and worst courses of action.

The test plays without stopping — you can't pause, rewind, or rewatch. Part I presents the scenarios and questions, and Part II follows immediately with additional questions about the same scenarios. Pay close attention to every detail in the video because you won't see it again.

This is not a section you can wing — it requires understanding firefighter values, teamwork principles, and professional conduct.

What it tests

Teamwork, interpersonal judgment, conflict resolution, ethical decision-making, situational awareness

FireStart prep

5 lessons + 200 practice questions

Mathematics

Video

Mental math under pressure, with questions presented on video. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and proportions — all performed in your head with no pen, paper, or calculator. Questions are framed around firefighting tasks: calculating hose lengths, water flow rates, equipment quantities, and response distances.

Speed matters as much as accuracy. The key to this section is practising mental math techniques until they're automatic.

What it tests

Mental arithmetic, proportions, applied math, speed and accuracy

FireStart prep

8 lessons + 420 practice questions

Mechanical Aptitude

Video

Video-based mechanical reasoning. You'll watch animated scenarios — often set in a simulated factory environment — showing valves, pressure systems, gears, levers, and troubleshooting sequences. Then answer questions about how the mechanical systems work.

You need to quickly identify mechanical principles and apply them to what you observed in the video.

What it tests

Pulleys, gears, levers, pressure systems, valves, mechanical troubleshooting

FireStart prep

6 lessons + 200 practice questions

Reading Ability

On-screen text

Unlike traditional reading comprehension, the FireTEAM uses a fill-in-the-blank cloze format. You read technical fire service materials with words missing and select the correct word to complete each sentence. This tests your ability to understand fire service terminology and technical writing.

What it tests

Reading comprehension, vocabulary, fire service terminology, contextual word choice

FireStart prep

6 lessons + 175 practice questions

Which Fire Departments Use the FireTEAM?

The FireTEAM is used by fire departments across North America. It is delivered through the National Testing Network (NTN), which provides online registration and score distribution. Your scores can be sent to multiple NTN-affiliated departments for a fee, making it efficient if you're applying to several departments at once.

In Canada, some departments use NTN's FireTEAM for initial screening — FireStart's department directory shows which ones. Your scores are valid for 12 months and can be sent to any NTN-affiliated department.

Browse all NTN departments →

What to Expect on Test Day

Location & Scheduling

The FireTEAM is available year-round at NTN testing centres across North America. Some centres offer virtual proctored testing. Register and book your test date online at nationaltestingnetwork.com. Official practice tests are available at ergopracticetests.com.

What's Not Allowed

Writing instruments, calculators, and cell phones are strictly prohibited. This is not optional — there is absolutely no writing allowed during any section. All math must be done mentally. The test is computer-based and the video scenarios play without pause.

Tips

Practice mental math daily in the weeks before your test. For Human Relations, remember it tests common sense and professional judgment — not fire service procedures. Watch the video scenarios carefully — they don't replay. Budget your time across every section.

Scoring, Score Portability, and Retakes

There is no single FireTEAM pass mark. Departments set their own minimum standards, which can differ from section to section. Always check your target department's requirements.

Departments also decide how much each section counts toward their ranking. Take Human Relations seriously — it runs in two parts and rewards consistent professional judgment across every scenario.

Your FireTEAM scores are valid for 12 months from the test date. You can send scores to multiple NTN-affiliated departments for a fee, which makes the FireTEAM cost-effective if you're applying broadly.

Retake Rules — Read Carefully

NTN sets the retest rules, including the waiting period — check the current policy at nationaltestingnetwork.com before you book. When you retest, your previous scores and all department designations are deleted. Only your most recent scores are used — you cannot keep a higher previous score. Prepare thoroughly before your first attempt.

How FireStart Prepares You for the FireTEAM

FireStart.ca teaches the material — not just tests you on it. Our lesson-first approach means you learn the concepts before you drill.

Note: The real FireTEAM is largely video-based. FireStart's practice questions are text-based adaptations of the same concepts — teamwork scenarios, mental math, mechanical reasoning, and reading comprehension. While the format differs, the underlying skills and knowledge tested are identical.

Learn

41 guided lessons across all categories. Each lesson teaches a specific skill with embedded practice quizzes and real firefighter scenarios.

516 minutes of instruction

Practice

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

Track

Your dashboard shows readiness scores, category performance, study streaks, and gap analysis. Know exactly where you stand.

Real-time progress tracking

Ready to start preparing?

Get Full Access — $67/year

CA$67 for 12 months. Never auto-renews.

Frequently asked questions

FireTEAM has about 170 questions across four sections. NTN's official figure is about 2 hours; candidates commonly report 2 to 2.5 hours. No pen, paper, or calculator is permitted — all calculations are done mentally and answered on screen.

Four sections: Human Relations (video scenarios, in Part I and Part II), Mechanical Aptitude (video — pulleys, gears, levers, hose configurations), Math (video — arithmetic, fractions, ratios), and Reading (firefighter-relevant passages).

There is no single FireTEAM pass mark. NTN sends your results to the departments you authorize, and each department applies its own standard and ranking criteria.

FireTEAM delivers three of its four sections by video, with no pen-and-paper input, while the FACT and CPS are conventional paper or computer multiple-choice formats. FireTEAM is administered through NTN's national platform; the FACT and CPS are Ontario-specific.

FireTEAM is used by some Canadian departments that outsource initial screening to NTN. Check FireStart's department directory and your target department's recruitment posting to confirm whether it uses NTN.

6 to 10 weeks of consistent preparation. The mental-math constraint takes deliberate practice — do all calculations without scrap paper to build the on-screen workflow before test day.

Yes. NTN sets the retest rules, so check the current waiting period on nationaltestingnetwork.com before you book. Scores are valid for 12 months. Targeted practice on your weakest section produces faster improvement than re-studying everything.

FireStart's FireTEAM preparation covers the same four content areas, including the no-paper, no-calculator constraint. Three of the real test's sections are delivered by video and FireStart's practice is text-based, so pair it with the official practice material. Questions are written by the FireStart team, not reproduced from copyrighted content.

No. FireTEAM is an aptitude exam taken on screen. Physical testing is a separate stage that each hiring department sets and runs.

Train for the no-paper math. FireTEAM allows no scrap paper or calculator, so multi-step arithmetic has to be done mentally under time pressure. Practising that constraint specifically — not just the math itself — is the single best preparation.

The FireTEAM Rewards Preparation, Not Guesswork

A retest replaces your previous scores, so prepare thoroughly the first time. FireStart gives you 41 lessons, 1,355+ practice questions, and real-time tracking.

Get Full Access — $67/year

One subscription covers prep for all five Canadian firefighter tests.

Other Canadian Firefighter Tests

FACT

Firefighter Aptitude & Character Test

Learn more →

CPS

Cooperative Personnel Services Test

Learn more →

NFST

National Fire Select Test

Learn more →

OS

Gledhill-Shaw Test

Learn more →

FireStart.ca is an independent test preparation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the National Testing Network (NTN), Ergometrics & Applied Personnel Research, Inc., or any fire department. The real FireTEAM test is video-based; FireStart provides text-based practice covering the same skills and concepts. All test details are based on publicly available information and verified against official sources. Always confirm current test details directly with NTN at nationaltestingnetwork.com.